Semua Bab Betrayed by my Fiancé, Loved by my Childhood Sweetheart: Bab 11 - Bab 20

Karina: The cool evening air brushed against my skin as we stepped out of the mall, our arms weighed down with shopping bags. The streets were lit with golden lights, and the distant hum of traffic filled the silence between Michael and me. I felt… different. Lighter. For the first time in years, I wasn’t trying to shrink myself. Michael glanced at me, his lips twitching into a smirk. “So, how does it feel?” I raised an eyebrow. “How does what feel?” He motioned toward me. “Being *you* again.” I exhaled, letting my fingers skim over the soft fabric of my new blazer. “It feels… right.” I looked at him, my voice softer now. “Like I was asleep for a long time, and I just woke up.” Michael’s smirk faded into something gentler. “Good. That’s how it should be.” I studied him for a moment. The way his hands were stuffed into his pockets, his head tilted slightly as if he were memorizing me. Something about it made my chest tighten. “You’ve been really nice to me,” I said suddenly. “T

Karina:“Enough of this nonsense!” Ethan’s voice cut through the room, sharp and filled with agitation. “I’m done with this drama! None of those things matter, Kitty. All that matters is that our wedding is already set and there’s no taking it back!”Ethan’s face was an unreadable mask as he pulled something from his pocket. My stomach twisted when I saw the familiar diamond ring glinting under the restaurant’s dim lighting. “There’s still time,” he said, extending the ring toward me. “If you apologize—for this foolishness, for berating Katherine—I’ll forget this ever happened. We can move on and have the wedding.” I stared at him, then at the ring, then back at him. And then I laughed. A deep, genuine laugh that came straight from my gut. Ethan’s eyes darkened. “What’s so funny?” I wiped an imaginary tear from the corner of my eye, shaking my head. “You, Ethan. You are *hilarious*.” His grip on the ring tightened. “I’m serious, Karina.” “Oh, I know you are. And that’s what make

Ethan:I stared at the screen in front of me, my mind still struggling to process the impossible reality unfolding in front of my eyes. The numbers were all wrong. The figures that had always been so reliable, the ones that had promised growth and success, were now plummeting. I blinked, rubbed my eyes, and tried again, but nothing changed. The stock prices continued their downward spiral, and as if to mock me, the article about Karina and Michael’s engagement loomed large on the screen.I couldn't fathom it. I kept telling myself that I had to be misreading something. There had to be an explanation, some way to fix this, some way to get everything back on track. But the more I stared at the cold, hard evidence, the more it felt like the ground beneath me was giving way. It wasn’t just the company that was collapsing. It was everything. My life. My future. Everything I had worked for, everything I had thought I had under control, was crumbling away."Katherine, you need to see this,"

Karina:Stepping back inside the house, I exhaled a shaky breath, my nerves still on edge. The warmth of the grand foyer did little to chase away the chill that Ethan’s words had left behind. My fingers twitched, and I rubbed my arms as if that would shake off the unease crawling up my spine. Michael closed the door behind us, his presence steady and grounding. Kyle followed, his sharp eyes scanning my face. He must have noticed the tension in my shoulders because he sighed and shook his head. “You don’t have to look so worried, Karina,” Kyle said, walking up beside me. “Ethan’s not as powerful as he thinks he is. He’s all bark and no bite.” I bit my lip, glancing between him and Michael. “You didn’t see the way he looked at me, Kyle. That wasn’t just anger. It was something… darker.” Michael gently cupped my face, tilting it up so our eyes met. “Listen to me, love,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “Ethan will never lay a finger on you. Not while I’m here.” My heart softened at

Karina:Before I knew it…the day had finally arrived when Michael and I were to become man and wife. The best day of my life…and yet, my stomach twisted into a knot as if in foreboding.I stared at my reflection, smoothing my hands down the embroidered fabric of my dress for what must have been the hundredth time. The delicate white lace shimmered under the soft lighting, intricate floral patterns trailing down the bodice and melting into the full, flowing skirt. It was a dress straight out of a dream—my dream. And yet, I couldn’t shake the tight knot in my stomach. The venue was perfect. The flowers were arranged just as I had imagined—soft ivory roses mixed with blush peonies, lining the aisle with elegance. The scent of fresh blooms filled the air, blending with the warm aroma of the carefully prepared wedding feast waiting in the reception hall. Every little detail had been planned to perfection. So why did I feel like something was about to go wrong? I swallowed hard, my finge