ManyWriters

On my wedding day, my fiancé was caught in the act with his pure love Lily in the rest room, their naked bodies exposed to all the guests.
The outcome was inevitable; the wedding swapped brides on the spot.
My father suffered a stroke from the shock and passed away just days later.
Unable to bear my father's sudden death and the swirling rumors, my mother leapt from the thirtieth floor of a high-rise.
During that darkest period of my life, I developed severe psychological issues. Rylan, the younger brother of my ex-fiancée, stayed by my side day and night, saving me from countless suicide attempts. It took a full two years before I finally recovered.
On the day of my recovery, Rylan rented the most luxurious yacht in the city, covering the deck with nine hundred and ninety-nine roses, and asked me to marry him.
After those two years of constant companionship, I had long since fallen for Rylan. Tears in my eyes, I accepted his proposal.
On our fifth wedding anniversary, I brought a carefully prepared gift, hoping to surprise him. Instead, I accidentally overheard a conversation between him and his secretary.
"It's been five years. For Lily's sake, I've been married to this disgusting woman for five years now. Just thinking about celebrating our anniversary with her later makes me feel sick to my stomach."Secretary's voice trembled: "Mr. Sterling, please drink less. If these words slip out in front of your wife, it'll be hard to cover up."
"And if Mrs. Sterling finds out that seven years ago, we hired someone to remove her father's oxygen tube..."
Rylan showed no concern, even wearing a mocking expression.
"For Lily, I'm willing to do anything."
"Besides, I've already wasted my entire life on that bitch."

The Past is Gone, Neither Hatred Nor Nostalgia Remain

Rylan smiled, handing me my daily vitamins and a glass of warm water.


"We've been married for five years now, and I still feel so happy every day."


"I've booked a cruise suite and restaurant for tomorrow - the same cruise where I proposed. Let's have a wonderful anniversary."


If I hadn't overheard his conversation with his secretary earlier, I would have been touched to pieces by his thoughtfulness right now.


Are these vitamins he just gave me really vitamins?Every day spent with me, was it truly blissful?


My nose tingled, and I turned off the lights a second before tears could fall.


"I'm a bit tired from shopping today. Let's go to sleep, Rylan."


Rylan, unsuspecting, wrapped his arms around me as we lay in bed.


After some time, Rylan's sleep-talking softly began.


My tears silently rolled from the corners of my eyes, trickling into my hair and disappearing.


I secretly took out my phone and sent a message to my brother overseas.


"Brother, I'm begging you, please help me."


The next day, Rylan took me to the cruise ship he mentioned last night.


But as soon as we sat down in the restaurant, we saw a visibly pregnant Lily also walk in.


Seeing that the pregnant Lily was alone, Rylan immediately stood up to greet her.


"You're six months pregnant now, where's Elliot? Why isn't he with you?"


The concern in Rylan's voice was undisguised.


I lowered my gaze, inwardly mocking myself. Such an obvious thing, yet I had never noticed it.


Was Rylan's acting really that good, or was I truly as stupid as he said?


Lily walked up to me with a smile, answering Rylan's question while her eyes remained fixed on me.


"The company's been busy lately. Elliot had to fly to the out-of-state branch office on short notice. He won't be back for a few days."


"Since we've met by chance, Britta wouldn't mind if we share a table, right?"


Rylan's eyes were full of eagerness, but he still glanced at me with a troubled expression.


Pretending not to notice his look, I smiled and said,


"Today is mine and Rylan's fifth wedding anniversary. Rylan specially reserved this restaurant, so it might not be convenient."I knew that in Rylan's eyes, I didn't even measure up to a single strand of Lily's hair, but even for just a moment, I wanted to reclaim a shred of my dignity.


Sure enough, hearing my words, Lily's expression changed.


But in the next second, she quickly composed herself, a gentle smile blossoming on her face.


"This cruise ship restaurant is my favorite. I used to fantasize about being proposed to on this very ship. Rylan is so good to you."


"Well, enjoy your meal. I'm heading back to my room now. My stomach's feeling a bit off."


So, this cruise ship was Lily's favorite too?


Then, was Rylan's cruise ship proposal to me also because Lily liked it?


My hands clenched into fists under the table. It took every ounce of strength I had to restrain myself from confronting Rylan.


When you proposed to me, who did you really see - Britta or Lily?


Rylan, completely oblivious to my distress, looked anxiously in the direction Lily had left.


"Britta, wait here a moment. Lily's not feeling well. I'll walk her back to her room. It's not safe for her to go alone."I hadn't even answered before Rylan impatiently rushed after her.


A moment later, I followed in the direction they had just left.


Sure enough, on the deck outside the restaurant, I found the two of them embracing.


Chapter 2