Chapter 1

My fiancé, who was supposed to be away on business, suddenly posted on Instagram: [Hand in hand, together forever. My eternal love, Emily.]

But Emily wasn't me; it was his new assistant.

I was just about to call him out, but then I realized he'd blocked me and wiped me from his contacts.

So, did that mean my fiancé had a new girlfriend now?

*****

I was at the bridal shop, trying on wedding dresses.

I was about to get a little vain and video call Charles, just to blow his mind.

But my finger slipped, and I ended up on Instagram.

That's when I saw his latest post: [Hand in hand, together forever. My eternal love, Emily.]

There was even a whole row of heart emojis after it.

The post was oozing with love.

Honestly, it was kind of moving.

But here was the thing: Emily wasn't me.

It was Charles's new assistant.

So, my fiancé, who was supposed to be on a business trip, was declaring his love for someone else?

I just stood there in my wedding dress, totally stunned.

My phone started blowing up with messages from my friends.

Everyone was asking if Charles got hacked.

Someone joked in the group chat. He texted: [Charles is really causing a scene. Looks like he is in for some serious groveling when he gets back.]

Honestly, I couldn't blame them for thinking that.

Everyone who really knew us knew that Charles always seemed aloof and hard to approach, but deep down, he was a hopeless romantic. He was head over heels for me.

Charles went all out for years trying to win me over, and once we got together, he always went above and beyond to make me feel special.

He was a total gentleman. Over the years, plenty of pretty girls tried to get his attention, but he never paid them any mind.

His heart was set on me, and me alone.

I figured maybe there was more to the story.

I took a deep breath and called Charles.

The call was answered right away.

Before I could say anything, a sweet, unfamiliar woman's voice came on the line.

She asked, "Who is this?"

My heart instantly went cold.

Charles was always so private. He wouldn't even let a female mosquito near him. And now, he was letting some woman answer his phone.

Listening closely, I could hear sporadic splashes of water in the background.

"Where's Charles? Put him on," I said, my voice tense.

I dug my nails into my palm, barely holding it together.

"You're looking for Mr. Reed? Sorry, he's busy right now. Whatever you want to say, just tell me. I'll take care of it," the woman replied, sounding totally impatient.

I was so pissed that I practically shouted, "Are you deaf or something? Put Charles on the phone!"

"Oh, where'd this crazy lady come from? You think you're worthy of talking to Mr. Reed?" the woman sneered.

She let out a mocking laugh, her tone dripping with contempt. She said, "Been binging too many cringy romance stories, huh? Think causing drama will get you noticed?

"Seriously, know your place. You're a walking joke."

Her queen bee attitude just left me speechless.

I was Charles's legitimate fiancée, yet the woman treated me like I was the other woman. It was utterly absurd.

But before I could even get another word out, she just hung up without a care.

When I tried calling back, my number was already blocked, and my WhatsApp account had been blacklisted as well.

I could feel my blood boiling.

I took off the wedding dress, stormed out of the shop, and jumped into my car.

I floored the gas pedal.

I wondered what shady business Charles was trying to pull.

If he thought he could mess around behind my back, he was about to find out just how furious I could get.