Chosen Love, Shattered Vows

A week before our wedding, my fiancee, Lauren Blair, went to the hospital for a prenatal checkup. She was accompanied by her newly hired assistant, Ian Kane.

Coincidentally, she ended up being assigned to my clinic.

I stood there holding Lauren’s pregnancy report in my hand, staring through the narrow gap in the door at the two of them outside.

Ian pulled her into his arms by the waist, confessing with aching tenderness, "Lauren, I love you."

"I love you too, Ian. I'm only married to Sam because of the circumstances I’m stuck in, but you've always been the one who holds my heart."

I stopped hesitating. I pulled out my phone and sent a message to my father.

"Dad, I accept the marriage alliance with Ms. Sheridan. The wedding date can remain. Just change the bride."

From the clinic window, I looked down and saw Lauren Blair already walking out of the hospital with Ian Kane holding her arm.

I picked up my phone and called her.

"Are you coming home tonight?"

She answered instantly. "I’m not. Something urgent came up at work, so I have to stay late."

My eyes drifted back to the couple embracing on the sidewalk. "Are you feeling unwell? I think I just saw you at the hospital."

Lauren’s hand paused midair as she straightened Ian’s tie. She looked around quickly. When she didn’t see me anywhere, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"No, you must’ve seen wrong. I’ve been in meetings at the office all day."

My vision blurred for a moment. "You sound like you’re in a pretty good mood. Did something good happen today?"

Her voice turned cold. "No. Anyway, I’ve got other things to deal with at work. I’m hanging up."

And she did—just like that.

Ian carefully helped her into the passenger seat, and the two of them drove away together.

I stared at the scene in front of me, my mind replaying the words she had whispered to Ian with such devotion.

"Ian, I love you. I'm only married to Sam because of the circumstances I’m stuck in, but you've always been the one who holds my heart."

My chest felt like it was filled with tiny, stabbing needles, and my tears slipped down before I could stop them.

That afternoon, when I left the hospital and went home, I unexpectedly found Lauren there.

For a moment, hope rippled faintly through me, but it vanished the moment she opened her mouth.

"I’ll be staying at the office for the next few days. I’m just here to grab some clothes."

The reddish marks blooming along her neck were impossible to miss. They exposed her lie instantly.

Nevertheless, I didn’t call her out. Instead, I helped her pack her clothes and toiletries.

Seeing me so calm, devoid of any anger or accusation, made her pause. "I made dinner for you. I’ll make sure to come back before the wedding."

She stepped toward me as if to hug me.