Chapter9
Ten years. Ten years we’d been together, and finally, my boyfriend had proposed.
I had envisioned a future filled with joy, a future shattered the moment I saw him– my Antonio Kaufman — embracing Stella Parrish, his first lolve, in the very home we were to share.
“I’ll always love you. If you say yes, I’ll marry you right away,” Antonio whispered to Stella.
The agony was a physical blow.
His betrayal wasn’t a recent event; it stretched back years.
Despair, raw and suffocating, consumed me.
I had to end this.
Inside, their fervent kiss echoed, each sound a chilling hammer blow to my heart.
I flung Antonio’s engagement ring into the trash and dialed my mother’s international number.
“Mom,” I choked out, biting my lip to stifle the tremor in my voice, “Antonio cheated on me. I’m not marrying him.”
My mother’s voice was bright with something that sounded suspiciously like relief. “I’ll book your ticket right away. You know I’ve always wanted you close.”
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I managed a strangled response.
She continued, her voice soothing, “There’s no need to rush into marriage and children. Focus on your career. Whatever you
decide, I’m here for you.”
Just hours ago, I’d believed Antonio was a good man.
He kept his distance from other women, and despite his success, he’d remained scandal–free until tonight, until Stella appeared at out engagement party..
We hadn’t invite her.
I had no idea why she’d suddenly showed up.
The moment he saw her, Antonio had panicked, dropping a wine glass.
He’d then abandoned me at the party.
But why Stella? She’d been cruel, taking everything from me for over two decades.
She was the last person I’d ever forgive.
Seeing him bring her home, his face alight with joy, extinguished any remaining affection I held for him.
Driven by a morbid curiosity, I’d activated the home surveillance system.
On the screen, Stella, wearing my pajamas, lay in our bed, clearly intoxicated.
Antonio was warming milk for her.
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Clutching his back, Stella said, “She’s just a comfort for your loneliness. Do you really intend to marry her?”
Antonio didn’t answer, but bent to massage her feet.
“Why did you upset me on purpose? You know I hate Grace the most.” Stella continued, kissing his neck.
Antonio remained silent, then pulled her close, their lips meeting in a fervent kiss.
Tears blurred my vision, streaming down my face.
Why was I crying?
I believed it was for the wasted decade.
Every time I’d tried to initiate intimacy, Antonio had coldly turned away.
I’d attributed it to shyness.
Now I saw the truth: his passion was reserved for Stella.
For ten years, I’d been nothing more than a convenient outlet for his physical needs and a balm for his loneliness.
I took a deep breath and left.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I heard my name.
I turned to see Antonio and Stella descending.
Antonio instinctively dropped Stella’s hand.
“Your sister had too much to drink. It wasn’t be safe for her to
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go home alone this late, so I brought her here,” Antonio explained.
I stared coldly at Stella, who cowered behind Antonio.
Antonio glared at me and said, “Stella wanted to leave. She didn’t want you to misunderstand. Don’t overreact.”
“I didn’t say anything. Why would you think I’m angry?” I felt my fingers turned icy.
Antonio suddenly felt like a stranger.
We’d navigated his decade–long entrepreneurial journey together, side–by–side.
Now, I was reduced to nothing more than a means to end.
Antonio roared, “What do you mean by that? She’s your sister! Why can’t you show her some concern?”
Swallowing the ache in my chest, I took a deep breath. “She’s not my sister. She’s the bastard child of a mistress.”
His face contorted with rage, “Grace! How dare you speak to Stella like that!
“Apologize to her right now! No wonder your own parents abandoned you!
“No wonder no one likes you.
“You’re repulsive!”
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He’d actually used my deepest insecurities against me.
My father’s affair and my mother’s subsequent departure had left me feeling unwanted.
I remembered Antonio rushing to my defense whenever he heard my parents arguing next door.
“Grace,” he’d soothed, “you are the best girl in the world. Even if no one else wants you, I’ll always love you.”
I had believed him.
Growing up, I’d envisioned building a happy family with him, working tirelessly to contribute financially.
But every time I’d mentioned marriage, he’d frowned.
Now I understood why. He’d never loved me.
Tears welled in my eyes as I turned away.
Antonio’s eyes flickered.
He seemed to realize he’d gone too far, “I rushed home today and neglected you.”
“It’s okay. You won’t have the opportunity to neglect me again,” I replied, my voice glacial.
As I turned to leave, a message from my mom arrived.
She had booked my flight.
The departure date was in two weeks, the day of our wedding.
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The countdown to my wedding had become the countdown to my escape.
I quietly discarded the wedding decorations and anything that reminded me of us.
The next day, Antonio called.
“Grace, are you awake? I bought your favorite borscht.
“I have to go into the office for an emergency, so we’ll need to reschedule the wedding photos.
“I was too harsh last night. I apologize.”
He seemed surprised by my ready agreement. “Lots of people. get married without a wedding,” he added awkwardly, “We don’t need one either.”
“I understand,” I said slowly.
This wedding would have no certificate, no photos, no officiant, and no bride.
After the call, I focused on work, determined to put Antonio behind me.
I submitted my resignation and arranged a farewell gathering with close colleagues.
In the following days, I contacted my friends, informing them of the cancalled wedding.
Their response were tinged with awkwardness, “Honestly,” one admitted, “we all suspected you two would break upeventually.”
Chapter10
