Grandma Called It, I Dumped Him

Grandpa gave me this long, worried look. "Demi, isn't that guy your worst nightmare? You sure about marrying him? Once it's official, there's no undo button."This wasn't just family drama. Grandpa was a big shot in archaeology, and whoever I married? Their family would land a fat partnership with ours.Cue Jace's mom, full panic mode. "Demi, even if Jace forgot you, weren't you head over heels for him? Just give it time—marry him, and maybe it'll all come back."Grandma practically gagged. "Spare me. Last time around, that Stafford witch trashed Demi's jewelry, and Demi didn't even snap. "So what did Jace do? Tossed her out into a rainstorm—in her nightgown. She stood there freezing for hours. "It was Leroy who showed up, umbrella in hand, booked her a hotel. Sure, the boy's got a mouth, but he's got heart."Yeah, that hit me right in the chest.I had no clue why Grandma kept dropping lines about "past lives" and "last time," like we were trapped in some weird time loop. But

Just as Ava raised her hand to oh-so-dramatically slap herself, Jace caught her wrist and snapped at me. "Demi, she didn't mean it. Can you stop bullying her just because of your background?"Grandma was livid. "What a joke. Demi hasn't even opened her mouth, and this girl's out here sobbing like she's in a soap opera. And now it's bullying? Oh no, sweetheart—don't let that slide. Give 'em a wake-up call!"So I did.I raised my hand and smacked Ava clean across the face.Then looked Jace dead in the eye. "See? That's bullying."Ava froze, mouth open.Jace? Ice cold. "Demi Mancini, you've gone too far—"I slapped him, too. Hard."That's TOO far."For years, I'd let him talk down to me. Never pushed back.Now? He didn't know what to do with himself.Jace stared me down, jaw tight. "Fine. Real fine. But you hit me again—don't come crying later."Then he turned his back on me. "Come on, Ava. Let's get you checked out."Grandma scoffed so loud in my head. "Not even a glance at

"Leroy Leighton, son of the Leighton family."Dead silence.It was like someone hit pause on the whole room.Roland gawked at me, totally blindsided. "Demi, did you mess up? Isn't your fiancé Jace? How could it be LEROY?"The crowd broke into a chorus of confused murmurs. No one saw this coming."I didn't mess up. I chose Leroy."I stepped down from the stage and handed Leroy the Mancini crest signet.He just stared, stone-faced.My stomach dipped. "You don't want it?"Then—bam—a grin. "I'd be honored. Huge deal for me and my family."He pocketed it, gave Grandpa a nod, and just like that, the pressure on my chest finally cracked open.Everyone else? Total pros at faking it. They pivoted fast, tossing out stiff congratulations."Oh wow, I always thought Demi and Leroy were perfect together—meant to be, really."Grandma's voice in my head went full eye-roll: "Yeah, sure. Weren't you just screaming about Demi being a simp like, five minutes ago? Keep running your mouth—heave

Leroy finally broke the silence. "Guess our little show's almost up. When are you gonna tell everyone what's really going on?"I blinked at him. "What do you mean? I meant it when I said I'd marry you."He let out this bitter laugh, eyes dark. "Come on. You don't have to fake it with me. You've always been hung up on Jace. This engagement? Just bait to make him snap. The second he does, you're out. Am I wrong?"Guilt and annoyance tangled in my chest.Grandma's voice piped up in my head, amused. "Oh, honey. He's just jealous."Just like that, the irritation was gone. I grabbed Leroy's hand. "What if I told you I meant it?"He tried to pull back, but I didn't let go.His eyes searched mine, guarded. "Demi Mancini, are you really over Jace? You're not just saying this?"I frowned. "What else would I mean? You don't wanna marry me?"Before I could push further, he yanked me into his arms. His hold was crushing, desperate, like he was finally letting everything out.His voice, lo

"Alright, Leroy. You've had a long day. My turn."He tried to argue, but I shoved him into the chair. He caved with that helpless smile. "Fine. Just... be careful. Traffic's insane."I nodded and stepped outside.Cars jammed the street, horns blaring. I spotted someone in the crowd and waved—then—"Watch out!"A car shot straight at me. I stumbled, hit the pavement, and the world snapped to black.When I came to, I was in a hospital bed. Leroy clutched my hand, voice shaking."Thank God. Just a few scrapes—they'll let you out soon. But seriously, be careful. I was freaking out."He pulled me into a tight hug. I hugged him back, slow, uneasy. Something felt... wrong.Then it hit me—Grandma.I yanked away and checked my messages with Jace. The last one still stared back: [Ava's the only one I see as my girlfriend.]If Grandma had caught me rereading that trash, she'd have lit me up. But now? Nothing. No snarky comments, no voice in my head. Just silence.She was really gone.