At My Engagement Party, My Fiancé Told Me He'd Been Cheating

At her lavish engagement party, Charlotte Ashford learns that her fiancé Connor has been cheating for three years with Sophia, the sister she loved most. When their betrayal unearths old lies, stolen memories, and the truth behind her parents' final moments, Charlotte cuts them out, rebuilds her life, and leaves Connor to face the regret he thought she would never make him feel.

I was standing in the most expensive ballroom in Boston. My mother's voice echoed in my head.

"The Harrises spared no expense, sweetheart. Every single flower was flown in from Holland. Every girl in this city would kill to be in your place."

A chill ran through me. Like I'd been dropped into ice water.

I thought back to the day Connor went for his suit fitting. He'd frowned. He'd said the one I'd picked out looked dated.

Sophia had stood next to him, smiling as she fixed his tie. "That's much better."

No wonder his mouth had curved into a smile.

He acted like nothing had happened. He opened the ring box.

Applause erupted in the ballroom.

My mother's eyes filled with tears. The Harris elders nodded their approval.

Sophia was the first one in the crowd to clap.

I looked at her and felt my stomach turn.

Connor held the ring out for a long moment. When I didn't move, he frowned and pushed it toward me again.

I extended my hand.

The applause swelled.

Then I snapped the ring box shut.

The applause died. Everyone stared.

Connor forced a smile. "Charlotte's just being playful."

He lowered his voice. "Stop."

I laughed. I laughed until I almost cried.

I was the one making a scene?

Fine. He wanted a scene.

I picked up the ring box and threw it straight at his face.

"You bastard. Get out!"

Connor glared at me. "Do you have any idea what kind of event this is? Every important name in Boston is in this room."

I cut him off.

"The engagement is off."

I took a deep breath and walked off the stage.

Chaos broke out behind me. Connor stood there, face dark, frozen. No one moved. Only Sophia ran after me.

"Charlotte."

She caught me in the hallway and grabbed my hand. Her voice was frantic. "Charlotte, what happened? You're scaring me."

"Did Connor do something? Tell me. I'll tear him a new one."

She said it so naturally.

So naturally that for a split second I almost remembered the Sophia from years ago. The one who used to stand in front of me on the playground and tell the bullies if they hit me, she'd hit them back twice as hard.

But what came to mind instead was last week. Sophia on my couch, legs crossed, voice low and teasing.

"Charlotte, have you ever met a guy you just can't get out of bed for?"

I came back to myself and pulled my hand away. I looked down at her, and saw the bruise on her collarbone.