ManyWriters

For a decade, Cole Lewis pursued me relentlessly before I finally accepted his marriage proposal. However, just three days before our wedding, he requested to swap me for his long-time love from childhood. I didn't protest or make a fuss, simply responding with a smile, "Okay." This was because in my previous existence, I had denied his request for a bride change. Consequently, his childhood sweetheart took her own life by cutting her wrists on the day we were to be married. Outwardly, he appeared fine, but when I was about to deliver our baby, he drugged me and took

Bride Swap, A Deadly Second Chance

I remained quiet and promptly went to the clinic where I had scheduled an appointment to terminate the pregnancy.


I arrived home around 10 p.m. As I touched my now-empty abdomen, memories of the child from my previous life flooded back, causing tears to well up in my eyes once more.


Cole phoned to inform me he'd be working late. He repeatedly urged me to remember my vitamins and to drink some warm milk before bed.


After ending the call, I reclined on the bed, feeling sleepy.


Unexpectedly, my phone vibrated with several incoming messages.


The images displayed the exposed collarbones of a man and woman, marked with hickeys and perspiration.


"What good is wealth? You're still only deserving of my hand-me-down wedding and secondhand husband."


I had barely read two-thirds of the message when it was deleted.


[My apologies for the previous message. Please don't misconstrue it.]


I couldn't be bothered to respond and immediately blocked her number.


I finally grasped that the so-called "formality" was far more elaborate than just the two of them having a simple ceremony.


Both families and relatives had gathered. Several of Winona's friends were even broadcasting the event live.


After all, "Yucca Hotel" was the premier establishment in Arham City.


If not for Winona, I likely would never have set foot in such a place.


They continually boasted about Winona's excellent marriage during the live stream.


Uninformed viewers in the chat began flooding it with comments.


"Wow, isn't this the Empress Hall at Yucca Hotel? I've heard weddings here start at a minimum of one hundred grand!"


"It's not just about the money. Venues like the Empress Hall and Emperor Hall require both wealth and connections. I heard at the last get-together that this wedding is for the Hale Family's heir, Stella Hale."


"Incredible! So the bride is the Hale Family's eldest daughter. It's fantastic to have a wealthy best friend."


I sat calmly among the guests, wearing my bridal gown.


I contacted the proprietors of the jewelry store, bridal shop, and the hotel hosting the wedding.


I asked them to verify the cost of these luxurious items and informed them that I would no longer be settling the remaining balance. I instructed them to confirm that Winona and Cole could cover the expenses.


I also provided them with the wedding venue address.


Previously, my credit had secured the payments, with the plan to settle the balance post-wedding.


But now that they were so eager to claim everything for themselves, I naturally wouldn't continue to play along.


The Hale Family's reputation in Arham City was well-established.


My words would undoubtedly convey my intentions to these individuals.


The ceremony on stage had just reached the moment where the couple was exchanging rings.


Suddenly, the hotel's main entrance was violently thrust open.


Chapter 5