Seven days before our wedding, Danny Wagner—my childhood sweetheart—got down on one knee for Mia Kant, the broke girl he'd been sponsoring. Right in front of me and his buddies. I didn't cry. Didn't lose it. Just slapped a smile on my face and said, "Wishing you two a lifetime of happiness." His buddies? Oh, they had the nerve to tell me to be generous and let Danny help Mia finish her "wish list." Danny, unsatisfied and ticked off, said I was overreacting and demanded an apology. Dismissive, he sneered, "I said I'd marry you after Mia's wish list was done. Stop being so unreasonable." I knew this was the last item on her list. I opened my notes app, scrolled to my wish list, and deleted all thirty-three bullet points. Done. Then I made a call. "I'm willing to marry you."
View MoreLife after the wedding was simple but fulfilling.Hugh invested in my studio, helping me pick a new location and teaching me how to navigate the business world.In no time, I'd grown more than I ever thought possible.***One evening at a business gala, I ran into Danny and Mia.Danny looked almost unrecognizably thin, and Mia wasn't much better off.The moment Danny saw me, his eyes lit up. But I didn't miss the flicker of resentment on Mia's face.Danny shoved Mia toward a man with a noticeable belly, who immediately pulled her close and led her upstairs.Then Danny rushed over to me."Paige, Mia's methods were filthy," he said, his voice frantic. "She faked everything—her depression, all of it! Lies!"I never liked her, Paige. I've only ever loved you."Now I'm making her pay."She wanted men? I found her plenty, just to show her she can't fool me—""Enough, Danny!" I snapped, cutting him off. "I don't want to hear it. Do you seriously think you're some kind of saint?"
I didn't hesitate—I told security to throw Danny out.No surprises. Everything went smoothly.Except, by the end of it, I was drained.Later, lying on the bed next to Hugh, the whole day felt surreal.When Hugh first came back to the country, I'd been in full panic mode, desperately prepping for my wedding to Danny. I'd sent Danny these long, heartfelt messages, pouring out my thoughts in paragraphs, only to get a flat "Hmm" in response.All those late nights spent researching venues, picking out flowers, and organizing every little detail had been a total waste.It was like asking him a yes-or-no question and getting a vague "maybe." I had no choice but to tiptoe around his moods, constantly second-guessing his thoughts. Every single day felt like walking a tightrope, my nerves stretched to the breaking point.Then Mia over her ridiculous thirty-three-item wish list, and everything spiraled even further.I'd reached my limit.At Danny's grandfather's birthday banquet, I hit r
Hugh kept his face serious, but I couldn't help it—I burst out laughing.Danny froze, completely stunned. Three minutes of dead silence followed. Then his eyes turned red, and giant tears started rolling down his cheeks.It was weird, watching Danny cry. I just... stared, caught off guard.Hugh didn't share my curiosity. Annoyed, he pulled me into the car and shut the door firmly. "Don't look. You're my bride. You're not allowed to feel sorry for anyone else."I didn't follow Danny's friends on social media. I made sure no one around me told them I was the one marrying you. I did it on purpose."I didn't reply, but I leaned over and kissed his cheek instead.We both froze for a second, and then... that unspoken understanding between us just clicked again.That night, I couldn't sleep at all.But by morning? I felt wide awake, practically buzzing.The wedding Hugh had planned was beyond anything I'd imagined—grand, elegant, and packed with powerful people from everywhere.Half
Hugh didn't get home from the office until eight that night.The second he saw me waiting, the usual coolness in his expression softened. "Why are you still up? The food's cold—it's bad for your stomach." His tone was surprisingly gentle."I'm used to it. Let's eat together. I like having meals with family.""Alright. I'll try to leave work on time from now on to be with you." His voice dropped even softer, almost like a promise.My cheeks went warm, and I ducked my head.Hugh had handled every single detail for tomorrow's wedding, start to finish. Everything was exactly how I liked it—perfectly planned, like he knew me inside out.But he'd only been back from abroad for a few months, and before that? We'd barely spoken, except for the occasional polite conversation because of Danny.How he knew me so well was a mystery I couldn't figure out.Lost in thought, my phone buzzed. It was my best friend asking if I had the contract for my studio's partnership handover.I smacked my
The line went dead quiet for a second, then Joe's obnoxious laugh cut through."Danny, did she just say she got married? To who, Casper? You've been with Mia for the past two days," Joe sneered. "Still the same Paige—mouthy as ever."Danny let out this long, overdramatic sigh.And then Mia piped up, her voice dripping fake sweetness. "Oh, Paige, stop being mad. Danny's been so worried about you! And you didn't even bother calling him back."The peanut gallery jumped in, their voices all blending into one smug mess."Yeah, thank God Mia was there for him. Paige, you're seriously such an irresponsible fiancée.""Mia would be way better for him, let's be real.""Right, Mia?"Their cackling was like nails on a chalkboard. And Danny? Not a single word to shut them up.I was done. Completely over it. There were a million more important things waiting with Hugh than wasting energy on this nonsense."Then go ahead and get your marriage license with Mia," I snapped. "Don't let me stop
"That's right. You won't leave me," Danny said, nodding with a smirk that didn't reach his eyes. "What is this, your rebellious little runaway act? Pathetic."You can't even handle the fallout from your own mistakes. Maybe your parents didn't raise you right, but don't worry—I'll teach you how to behave."Before I could react, he yanked me off the couch so hard I nearly fell."You're coming with me," he barked. "You're going to apologize to Mia. And you're staying with her tonight. Someone has to take care of her, and clearly, I can't trust anyone else."His tone was so smug, I felt sick.I couldn't help but laugh. "Do you even hear how shameless you are right now?"Danny whipped around, glaring at me. The disbelief in his eyes vanished in a flash, replaced by cold impatience. He tightened his grip and yanked harder.I stumbled, crashing onto the pavement. My elbow scraped hard against the ground, blood oozing from the fresh wound.Danny didn't even look back. "You're worthless
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