ManyWriters

Everyone believed I was Bradley Hunter's one and only love.
Appearing ascetic, he could make me climax seven times in one night. Because he worried that birth control pills might harm my body, he didn't hesitate to get a vasectomy.
Until I was trapped in a mansion engulfed by a massive fire.
Bradley immediately abandoned a ten-million-dollar deal to rush back, but when I hysterically cried for help amidst the flames, he grabbed the safe and bolted out the door without looking back.
As his skin sizzled from the burns, he seemed oblivious to the pain, rescuing his adopted daughter Selena's mementos from the inferno—her fallen baby teeth, panties stained red from her first period, and the red high heels she wore on her first date...
He growled in a frenzied whisper:
"Selena, since you left, Uncle's world has lost all color."
"I've stayed single for three years for you, at least leave me something to remember you by."
So in his eyes, I was merely the perfect cover for his forbidden love.
I closed my eyes in despair, letting the flames consume my body.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of my engagement to Bradley.

When Ashes Speak

"Open your eyes and look carefully. I'm the groom today."


"Today's groom is Mr. Wilson. I saw him at yesterday's rehearsal and couldn't possibly make a mistake."


Like a bucket of ice water dumped over his head, Bradley froze on the spot.


The staff handed him a gold-embossed invitation. The words "Wedding of Jason Wilson and Olivia Fox" stung his eyes.


"Sir, you may proceed to the ballroom to check in and be seated."


Bradley's mind went blank. He muttered in disbelief:


"Impossible. Olivia loves me so much. How could she marry someone else?"


He pushed past the staff and barged into the dressing room.


I heard the commotion and turned around while touching up my makeup.


Bradley's anxious, panicked face came into view.


He grabbed my shoulders, his tone softening:


"Olivia, I know I went too far before, but you don't need to put on this act to upset me."


Chapter 5