MY EX'S FATHER THE MAN I CHOSE TO MARRY

Arabella Rose Montgomery had always believed that love was supposed to last forever.

Not the kind of love people talked about in fairy tales, where everything ended with a perfect wedding and a happily ever after, but the kind built on honesty, loyalty, patience, and promises kept even when life became difficult.

She believed that when two people genuinely loved each other, they would never intentionally do anything to destroy what they had built together.

Unfortunately, she was about to discover how wrong she could be.

Standing in front of the enormous mirror in her bedroom, Arabella carefully adjusted the delicate silver necklace around her neck. Her long, chestnut-brown hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, complementing the elegant cream-colored dress she had chosen for the evening.

She was twenty-five, young, and hopeful about the future.

Tonight was supposed to be special.

Alexander Blackwood, her boyfriend of three years, had invited her to dinner at one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city. He had told her that he wanted to discuss something important about their future.

Arabella had spent the entire afternoon wondering what he might have planned.

Perhaps he was finally going to propose.

The thought brought a smile to her face.

She picked up her phone and checked their conversation.

Alexander: I'll pick you up at seven. Don't be late, sweetheart.

Arabella: I won't. I'm excited for tonight.

Alexander: Good. I have something important to tell you.

She read his last message again, feeling her heart flutter.

"Something important," she whispered.

For three years, Alexander had been the center of her world. He was handsome, confident, and born into one of the wealthiest families in the country. As the only son of Dominic Alexander Blackwood, the powerful chairman of Blackwood Holdings, Alexander had grown up surrounded by privilege.

Yet Arabella had never fallen in love with his money.

She had fallen for the man who once waited outside her university during a heavy rainstorm just to walk her home. The man who remembered her favorite flowers, sent her good morning messages, and promised that one day they would build a family together.

At least, that was the man she believed he was.

A notification interrupted her thoughts.

Alexander: I'm outside.

Arabella immediately grabbed her handbag and hurried downstairs.

Her mother, Margaret Montgomery, was sitting in the living room when she appeared.

"You're going out with Alexander again?" Margaret asked, looking at her daughter.

Arabella smiled. "Yes, Mom. He said he has something important to discuss."

Her mother's expression softened, although a hint of concern remained in her eyes.

"Just remember, sweetheart. A man's promises mean nothing if his actions don't support them."

"Mom, Alexander loves me."

"I hope he does, Arabella. I really do."

Arabella approached her mother and kissed her cheek.

"Don't worry. Everything is going to be fine."

She believed those words when she said them.

Outside, Alexander was waiting beside his black luxury car. He wore a tailored charcoal suit, his expensive watch glimmering beneath the evening lights.

The moment he saw her, he offered a charming smile.

"You're beautiful tonight."

Arabella blushed. "Thank you."

He opened the passenger door for her, and she settled inside.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"You'll see."

During the drive, Alexander answered several phone calls and checked his messages repeatedly. Arabella noticed his unusual behavior, but she decided not to question him.

Perhaps he was simply busy.

"Alex?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you nervous about tonight?"

He glanced at her briefly. "Why would I be nervous?"

"Because you said you had something important to tell me."

Alexander chuckled, but there was something distant about his expression.

"You're always curious."

Arabella playfully touched his arm.

"Well, you've kept me waiting for three years. I think I'm allowed to be curious about our future."

His smile faded for a fraction of a second.

"Let's talk about it over dinner."

She nodded, hiding her disappointment.

What she didn't know was that the future she had been dreaming about was already beginning to fall apart.

At the restaurant, Alexander led her toward a private dining area overlooking the city skyline.

Arabella admired the beautiful arrangement of white roses on the table.

"This is lovely," she said.

"I thought you'd like it."

They took their seats, and dinner was served shortly afterward. For a while, they talked about ordinary things—work, family, and their upcoming plans.

Then Arabella finally gathered the courage to ask the question that had been occupying her mind.

"Alexander, have you ever thought about when we're going to get married?"

He placed his glass on the table.

"Arabella..."

She immediately noticed the seriousness in his voice.

"What is it?"

"Marriage isn't something we should rush into."

Her smile weakened.

"We've been together for three years."

"I know."

"And we've talked about having a family."

"I remember."

"Then what's stopping you?"

Alexander leaned back in his chair.

"My father has expectations. The Blackwood family has responsibilities, and there are things I need to settle before making a decision like that."

Arabella lowered her eyes.

"Is it because I'm not wealthy enough for your family?"

"Don't make this about money."

"Then what is it about?"

He sighed impatiently.

"Can we not ruin tonight with this conversation?"

She fell silent.

She didn't want another argument. She wanted to believe that everything would eventually work out.

After dinner, Alexander drove her home.

Before she stepped out of the car, he reached for her hand.

"Don't overthink what I said."

Arabella looked at him.

"I just want to know that we're moving toward the same future."

"We are, sweetheart."

He kissed her forehead.

"Trust me."

She smiled faintly.

"I do."

Those were the words she would later wish she had never said.

As Arabella walked toward her house, Alexander remained inside his car, staring at his phone.

A message appeared on the screen.

Vanessa Claire: Are you done with her? I've been waiting for you.

Alexander glanced toward Arabella's retreating figure before typing his response.

Alexander: Give me twenty minutes. I'll be there.

He started the engine and drove away.

Across the city, inside a luxurious penthouse, another woman was waiting for him.

And she wasn't waiting as a friend.

She was waiting as the woman who had already begun taking Arabella's place.

Meanwhile, Arabella entered her bedroom, removed her necklace, and placed it carefully inside her jewelry box.

She opened her bedside drawer and took out a small photograph of herself and Alexander.

In the picture, they were smiling beneath the afternoon sunlight, his arm wrapped around her waist.

She traced his face with her fingertip.

"One day," she whispered, "I'll be Mrs. Blackwood."

She had no idea that the name Blackwood would soon become the source of her greatest heartbreak.

And she certainly had no idea that the man who would eventually give her that name was not the man standing beside her in the photograph.

It would be his father.

Dominic Alexander Blackwood.

The man whose love would change everything she thought she knew about forever.