The Bride He Replaced

“Tiana Larrinson?”

Hearing my name, I instinctively looked up.

Shawn Chandler stood over me, frowning. Beside him was Jessica Jordan, glittering with jewels in a custom designer gown.

“So, it is really you.” He let out a sneer as his gaze swept across my plain clothes and the old garments in my hands. “You refused to wear the bridesmaid’s dress back then, and now, you’ve fallen so low that you’re rummaging through other people’s old clothes?”

Jessica covered her mouth and giggled. She leaned closer and spoke as though she was concerned. “Ms. Larrinson, what are you doing here? Doesn’t this gala require at least half a million to get in? Don’t tell me you snuck in to freeload?”

Shawn sneered. His disdain toward me was obvious.

“How could she possibly qualify? A disgusting woman who abandoned her fiancé over a wedding dress. Forget the half a million, she probably can’t even afford a meal now.”

“That’s none of your business," I said coldly, turning to leave.

Shawn stepped forward and grabbed my wrist. “Tiana, look at you now. You should’ve just listened to me on the wedding day. If you’d been a little more sensible, you’d still be Mrs. Chandler instead of a beggar, stealing clothes no one else wants.”

The guests around us began gossiping upon hearing him.

Jessica got even more smug and deliberately raised her voice. “Shawn, I’ve been the one helping you move on these past five years. I’ll get jealous if you keep talking like that.”

“Ms. Larrinson, it’s too late for regrets. Shawn donated ten million just to bring me to this event.”

I looked at the small diamond ring on Jessica’s index finger and sneered, “It’s been five years, and Shawn still hasn’t married you? That diamond’s so small, like your devotion isn’t worth as much as that one million.”

Jessica quickly hid her hand behind her back. Her expression was distorted. “What nonsense are you talking about?! Shawn and I are getting married soon. The wedding’s set for next month. He’s going to reserve the entire Maladeivs!”

At that, Shawn’s expression darkened. He checked his watch impatiently. “Jessica, stop wasting time. Mr. Lynch and the others are waiting for us.”

He cast me one last cold glare. His voice was hoarse. “Throw those rags away and come work as a receptionist at my company. You used to be my woman. Ending up like this is an embarrassment.”

Jessica bit her lip, unable to hide the bitterness in her voice. “Shawn, how could you take in someone like her...”

Shawn’s tall figure loomed over me, casting me in shadow as he waited for an answer.

“Mommy!”

My daughter ran toward me from the crowd and threw herself into my arms.

Shawn stared at her face, momentarily stunned. “Tiana… Is this girl my child?”