Dodged a Lifetime Disaster

My smile snapped in place. This two-year-old—who could barely string a sentence together—just called me a homewrecker.Cassie shot me a quick look, then fake-scolded him."Lucas, what are you saying? She's your godmother! She's always loved you the most."Luke quickly covered the kid's ears. "Cassie, don't yell at him. He's just a kid. Arya's gonna be my wife—she won't take it to heart."I gave a tight, bitter smile, sitting there like some outsider crashing their perfect little family. "His wife"? That felt like a joke.Never heard a toddler say 'homewrecker' so clearly before.Lucas—Luke + Cassie. Took me this long to realize what his name actually meant.Luke didn't even flinch. Tried to hand the kid to me like nothing happened.I stepped back. "Enough. I'm leaving."Luke grabbed my wrist. "Arya, you're free now. Might as well start getting used to taking care of a kid."I let out a cold, dry laugh. "I might be dumb, but I'm not insane. Why would I raise your side chick's

Luke called out of nowhere."Wanna hang? Cassie just put Lucas to bed."He never shopped with me, never just hung out. This had to be his version of a grand gesture. Maybe guilt finally pushed him to throw me a pity favor.I was seconds from hanging up when I heard her in the background—flirty, smug."It's so late and you're still sweet-talking your princess? I'm beat. Come rub my shoulders. It's your fault—I'm handling the kid and you."Luke cut in fast. "Alright, next time," then hung up.The call cut off, leaving a nasty pit in my chest.If I'd just shut it down—stopped them from getting close—maybe none of this would've happened.The next day, the wedding was officially off. Luke set up a class reunion. I went, thinking maybe it'd be my final goodbye to this trainwreck.People were mingling, chatting like nothing happened. Then they spotted Cassie holding Lucas, and someone piped up—loud on purpose:"Cassie's got a kid? When'd you get married? We didn't hear a thing.""W

Brandon and I grew up side by side—he knew me inside out.The wedding he pulled off? Totally nailed it. Every detail screamed me.He stood there in a sleek suit.I rocked a black wedding dress with a five-meter train, custom-made by some top-tier designer, according to Brandon.It wasn't just a dress—it was his way of saying I'd always be his queen.Right as Brandon and I linked arms, ready to say our vows, Luke barged into view."Arya, I was only gone for a few days and you're already getting hitched?"His eyes zeroed in on my hand holding Brandon's."I don't even care about your mood swings anymore. I cut Cassie and Lucas out. Just drop him and I'll marry you right now."I shut my eyes. Didn't flinch.That set him off. "Arya Addington! Are you deaf? I said come with me!"He lunged, reaching for my wrist.Brandon had enough. He decked Luke—hard.Luke staggered, blood already dripping from his lip.He swung back, but Brandon dropped him with a sharp kick.Brandon stood o

Luke came to in his own bed, voices buzzing around him.Paulina rushed in. "Luke, you seriously tried to throw your life away over her? If you're gone, what happens to me, your dad, and Lucas?"He winced, barely awake. "Cassie said she'd handle Lucas herself. Why's that suddenly my problem?"Paulina just stared at his dad, totally out of moves.His dad cleared his throat. "Luke... your kid's two now. We talked to Cassie's dad. Everyone thinks it's time you step up and marry her. Let's just get this sorted. We're regular folks—keep it simple."Luke shot up, eyes locked on Cassie. "Say something! You were Arya's best friend—how the hell could you agree to marry me?"Don't forget who begged for comfort that night, then crawled into my bed."You got pregnant, said ending it would mess you up, and swore you'd keep it from Arya and raise him alone."That's the only reason I went along. Now you're trying to replace her?"Cassie clutched the baby, voice shaking as she faced her dad an