When Rivals Collide

I was Brandon Sandler’s most cherished canary—pampered, sheltered, and utterly his for five years.

Then came the news of his engagement to another woman. Only then did I realize his affection had been a carefully crafted revenge.

He trapped me by his side, flaunting his love for another while subjecting me to relentless humiliation.

Eventually, I stopped caring.

But the ruthless business tycoon, who once held himself above all, clutched me with red-rimmed eyes, begging me to come home. He said he regretted everything.

My hand instinctively cradled my stomach as I glanced at the man behind him.

“Darling,” I murmured, “this man is scaring our baby.”

The night before Brandon Sandler left on a business trip, he told me to stay home and wait for him. He said he had a surprise for me.

I lost myself in the warmth of his gentle smile, blind to the cold shadow buried deep in his eyes.

Not even in my worst dreams did I imagine that the “surprise” I’d been so excited to receive would be the news of his engagement to another woman in Lumiere.

For a moment, my mind went blank.

Over the past five years, Brandon had handled rumors with skill, and nothing like this had ever surfaced before.

My fingers trembled as I scrolled through the trending news. The longer I read, the more panic consumed me, and I threw my phone aside.

I told myself to stay calm, to wait patiently at home for him.

Finally, the next day at noon, Brandon returned.

I rushed to greet him in excitement, only for a girl to step out from behind him.

The moment I saw her face, everything I’d built inside me crumbled into ruin.

I no longer knew how to keep lying to myself.

My voice shook as I asked, “So this is the surprise you were talking about?”

Brandon chuckled and pulled the girl into his arms. “Isn’t it obvious? I thought one night was enough for you to process it.”

“Why?” I demanded as I clutched Brandon’s sleeve.

“Do you remember the girl who died after a botched surgery performed by your father, because he was drunk?” Brandon’s face darkened, his voice filled with venom.

“That was my sister! She was only seven years old.”

My mind snapped awake. I stared at Brandon, my head buzzing.

I was stunned.

“So… you kept me by your side because of that?” I asked, my voice shaking as I tried to process what he said.

“What else?” he sneered. “Why do you think I just happened to save you from being assaulted at that bar?

“Of course, it was all part of the plan.

“You’re so stupid and naive. I gave you the barest kindness, and you clung to it like it meant something. You were even in love with me,” Brandon finished with a mocking laugh.

Each word he spoke cut like a knife, slowly shredding me from within.

What a perfect scheme. He’d been gentle,