The Vengeful Ex-Fiancée Returns Strong

I designed to tell my fiancé, Elias

, marrying my stepsister in a cer

? You're delusional, Aubrie. Kallie is dying

reed. They called m

o save her, breaking my leg and causing me to lose our baby.

t they had

yer. I didn't just want to disappear from their lives-I wanted

pte

e McC

My lungs burned with every breath, a sharp contrast to the dull ache that had started deep in my gut hours a

of leaves, I

of the resort beach I had so meticulously designed. M

sn't stan

s. They were performing a commitment ceremony, a local custom the resort staff had ent

llie' s cheek, then her forehead. The crowd, a sea of faces I recognized as our closest friends and family, eru

me it was something personal, something intimate. It went on and on, this public display of affection, each lingering touch a hammer blow to my chest. Ka

eck. She looked like a high priestess of betrayal. I remember her telling me about this ceremony only last week, how special it was for

voice carried clearly, amplified by the gentle ocean breeze. "May your journey togeth

nch, the work, the dream we built together. It wa

or the cameras flashing around them. She looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes, a

her voice ringing with satisfaction. "Now, to t

tumbled back, deeper into the shadows, the vibrant celebration f

my contacts. My mother. I needed her. I pressed her number, my finger shak

steban. Voicemail. My co

All of them. Celebrat

ancé. The man who had vowed to spend forev

lled

something she said. He pulled his hand free and fished his phone from his pocket. He

er fingers tracing his arm. He hesit

as cold, distant. It

y a whisper. My throat felt raw, like I' d swa

laced with irritation. "We're celebrating. Why a

Today is my birthday. Did you forget? We were supposed to meet here to finalize things f

me. Just like you always do, Aubrie. Always

sister, Elias! We're engaged! I'm pregnant with your

"Pregnant? Aubrie, what kind of sick game are you pl

tell you tonight. It's our birthday. Our special

st like you 'had evidence' about Esteban's investments, right? Lies,

scam!" I screamed into the phone, ignoring the crushi

re sick. You need help. Kallie is dying, and you're he

Elias, darling, what's wrong? Is everything alright?" Kall

s said, his voice softening.

. Kitten. He used

. "She can't stand to see anyone else happ

voice was full of pity, full of l

y vision blurred. How could I have been

ard Kallie talking to my mother, not about her failing health, but about "securing the future" and "the big ha

anding in the shadows of my own ruined dream. My entire l