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Chapter 2

Author: Fifty Please
"Summer's a star now, and Jason's her agent? Total power couple. Ethan trying to crawl back? Pathetic..."

The whispers kept going. Summer leaned into Jason, all smug.

"That's ancient history," she said, voice sweet. "Jason's the one I really love."

Silence.

They looked so picture-perfect, no one wanted to dig up the past.

I barely glanced their way before flagging down a waiter.

One coffee. No drama.

I just wanted my parents to show up, say whatever they had to, and let me bounce.

Jason didn't love that I was chilling.

He strolled over, fake grin locked in place, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Ethan, wow, didn't recognize you. You look beat. That job of yours eating you alive?"

Heads turned. Cue the peanut gallery. They jumped in like I was still twelve.

"Ethan, you really should've picked a better job. Lawyers work nonstop and don't even make that much. Pushing thirty and still single? Embarrassing."

"No wonder you skip these get-togethers. Total disappointment."

I locked eyes with Jason, then finally took a real look at him and Summer.

Her hair was styled to perfection, wrapped in a plush cashmere coat, decked out in designer everything. She was practically sparkling with money.

Jason had on a tailored suit, wedding ring shining. The way he carried himself, he looked like he stepped off the cover of a billionaire romance.

No surprise people thought they were perfect. They nailed the look.

I rubbed my temples and took a step back.

"Jason, you done? If so, back off. Your cheap cologne's killing my head."

Jason's smile cracked, but before he could snap back, Summer cut in.

"Ethan Exeter, seriously? Jason's just being polite. Why the attitude?"

I clenched my jaw. Annoyance rising fast, but I kept it cool—for now.

"No attitude. I've been grinding all day, I'm exhausted, and I'm not here to stroll down memory lane. Just need a little space, alright?"

Her expression twisted. Summer wasn't used to being brushed off. She thought her life was some dream I should be jealous of.

To her, I was supposed to be bitter and longing—not standing here like I couldn't care less.

Jason picked up on her mood fast and slid right in.

"Babe, it's just a family thing. Don't let Ethan bother you. After what went down back then, it makes sense he's still salty. We'll be the mature ones."

That did the trick. She latched onto his arm and gave him a look. "You're right. You always know how to deal with people."

Then she turned to me, pure disgust on her face.

"Ethan, it's been years and you're still the same stubborn mess. Honestly? Pathetic."

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  • After She Married My Cousin Instead   Chapter 9

    I filled Lydia in on how Summer wouldn't leave me alone.Her smile dropped, and she gripped my arm tighter. "Just focus on your break. Once she's out, I'll handle it."Lydia always had my back, no questions asked. Knowing she'd take care of it? Total relief.As soon as we got home, I crashed into bed and didn't wake up till morning.The wedding venue looked exactly how I pictured it. Everything down to the last detail—perfect. Even our outfits were custom-made by some top designer overseas.When Lydia and I got together, she swore she'd give me the best. Said she'd make up for all the crap I'd been through.And she meant it.But just seconds before we could say our vows, Summer rolled in—literally—in a wedding dress and a wheelchair.Clutching a bouquet, she stared at me like some tragic heroine. "Ethan, you can't marry her! In both timelines, you were mine. You'll always be mine!"The crowd gasped. Lydia's hand clenched around mine, face gone pale.I gave her hand a quick sq

  • After She Married My Cousin Instead   Chapter 8

    Tears streaked down her face. "You'll save me, right? You won't leave me again? It was all on me. I'll make it right this time. I swear. I finally see it—you were the only one who ever really loved me. Jason just used me. All he cared about was the money..."I didn't flinch. Just strapped the oxygen mask on her to shut her up.Once she was loaded into the ambulance, I headed straight back to work.Didn't stop until the next night.Lydia had dropped off a stack of late-night snacks for the whole team—something warm to keep them going.The second they sipped the cream soup, smiles cut through their tired faces."Mr. Exeter, your fiancée's a saint. This is the second night she's done this. We barely had time to eat, but please thank her for us."Just hearing her name warmed me up inside.I'd only had a few bites when someone burst into my office."Mr. Exeter, someone's looking for you. Your friend Summer—she's in critical condition. You need to get to the hospital."One of her f

  • After She Married My Cousin Instead   Chapter 7

    I let out a dry laugh. "I work hard, keep it real. I can be with whoever I want. Summer, you're not exactly one of a kind."Outside of putting on a show, she had nothing going for her.I turned to walk off.But she latched onto my wrist, eyes glossy. "I know I'm not perfect, but... you were my husband. How can you be with someone else?"Make it make sense.Didn't stop me from shutting her down. "We've split. Twice. Two lifetimes. You picked Jason both times. The least you can do now is vanish."She clung tighter, eyes getting glassier. "How'd you meet her?"That one actually made me pause.It wasn't just the three of us who came back after the crash. Lydia passed through the same area and landed in the past too. She started digging, trying to figure it all out—and that's how she found me.We got close unraveling the mystery, and somewhere in the mess, we fell for each other.But Summer had wrecked me deep. Took Lydia and me five years to finally make it work.I tightened my

  • After She Married My Cousin Instead   Chapter 6

    Lydia looked up at me, brows pinched. "Headache again?"She gently pressed her fingers to my temple, massaging it like we weren't standing in the middle of a drama bomb.Jason squinted. "And you are?"Lydia shot him a look—cool, sharp, unimpressed.Then the hotel manager stepped in with a smile so polite it almost bent in half. "Ms. Lambert, what brings you here today?"She gave a nod. "Just here to announce my engagement. Figured it was time my fiancé's family heard it from me."The whole room froze.One of my cousins gasped."That's Lydia Lambert! CEO of Lambert Corp!"You could almost hear the shift. Every face flipped from smug to stunned.Lambert Corp ran Seaport—and had serious pull across all of Carmoria.I didn't say much. Just stood by Lydia and gave her the rundown.Her face darkened. She turned to the manager. "Pull the surveillance footage."Jason went pale fast."No need! Seriously, it's not that deep. We're family—let's not blow this up."Lydia's stare went

  • After She Married My Cousin Instead   Chapter 5

    I didn't say a word. Just walked into the private room.Two steps in—ran straight into Jason."Ethan, let's get this straight. Stop hanging around Summer. She's my wife now. Don't think I don't see through this little dinner stunt. If your life's a mess, that's your problem. Quit using 'family' as an excuse to creep into ours. Cut the crap. You're only making us hate you more."I raised a brow. No point arguing."Noted."***After Summer and Jason left, the spotlight finally swung to my family.Uncle Tony jumped in first. "Kelly, Brian, this wasn't some big event—why host a family dinner outta nowhere?"My parents shared a grin, then grabbed my hand. "Actually, we've got some good news. Thought we'd celebrate with everyone."I was just about to spill it when the door flew open.Jason stormed in, fuming."Ethan, did you smash Summer's violin? That thing's worth like 800 grand!"Summer rushed in after him, clutching the wrecked violin, eyes blazing."I actually felt sorry fo

  • After She Married My Cousin Instead   Chapter 4

    "Yeah, Ethan's decent, but way too uptight. Still holding a grudge after all these years. If he ever needs Jason and Summer? Good luck."Jason waltzed over, fake smile in place, pride flashing in his eyes. He raised his wine glass and stopped right in front of me."Ethan, don't let them get to you. I'm still your cousin. If you ever need anything, I'm here."Summer let out a snort. "Seriously, grow up. Learn how to deal with people. Just look at you—total train wreck."My parents were shaking with anger. I held them back, forcing a smile."You're right. Every word."Then I guided them to a table and sat down.The food started rolling out, and so did the toasts. Everyone kept pushing Summer to spill about her time overseas."There must be tons of musicians out there. Had to be tough standing out, huh?"Summer leaned into Jason, kissed his cheek, then beamed."It was rough, but Jason always believed in me. Without him, I probably would've quit and ended up stuck in some tiny of

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