My Heart's With Your Ex

Stella pulled every string she had in Avenquay to find me.I let out a bitter laugh. Guess I finally mattered—too little, too late.But it was useless. She tore through the city, even filed a missing person report. The answer? "No such person."Before I died, my mom had changed my address back to our hometown. I was a ghost here.Stella lost it in her office."Useless! Can't even track down one guy! What've you been doing—sleeping on the job?"Andy, her assistant, stood there shaking.After a beat, he spoke, careful. "Ms. Porter, we've checked everywhere. Mr. Johnston's not in Avenquay.""His mom's still here! Where the hell would he go? He can't survive without this city—without me!"She swept her whole desk clean, papers flying.I watched her—smug as ever—and smirked. So that's how she saw me. Just some leech mooching off her family. No wonder she always looked down on me and Mom."Maybe we could check the hospital records," Andy mumbled. "Mr. Johnston was in a car crash t

But what did it even matter now?She wasn't doing it for me—just trying to quiet her own guilt.Mom threw the divorce papers Stella had handed over right back in her face."The dead don't sign papers. Kyle's gone."From now on, you're not part of this family. Be with whoever you want—we're done. Just don't come back."She turned to leave.Stella staggered after her."No! Kyle promised—he said forever! You can't just let him back out now!"Her words yanked me back to our wedding day—me holding her hand, swearing I'd make her the happiest bride alive.Now those vows felt paper-thin.We were split by life and death, and she was still trying to patch up what was already wrecked."You gave him nothing. And now you want a dead man to keep a promise?"Mom pulled her arm free and walked away without a glance.I watched Stella drop to her knees, totally wrecked.She looked just like I did—helpless on that hospital table.Andy stepped in, holding out a phone."Ms. Porter, it's Mr

Stella and Harvey's wedding was next-level flashy.Everyone acted like Stella Porter was some hopeless romantic, head over heels for Harvey Arden. But no one remembered me—the dead ex-husband, gone three years now.At the over-the-top banquet, I drifted through the crowd, watching guests fawn over them. Stella and Harvey were all smiles, lit up like they were starring in a rom-com. It stung, yeah, but I got it—Stella had moved on.I mean, who wants to think about the ex who died in a car crash?The ceremony kicked off fast.Stella stood there clutching her bouquet, facing Harvey, who looked at her like she was the only girl in the universe."Harvey Arden, do you take this beautiful woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"He didn't hesitate. Eyes locked on her, voice clear—"I do."Right as the officiant turned to Stella, the lights cut out. Then—bam—a video lit up the big screen."Mr. J