All Chapters of The Bride He Never Chose: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Chapter 10: When Stars Tremble and Secrets KissI sank down onto a stool at the kitchen island—the same place he had lifted me onto like I weighed nothing. My fingers traced lazy circles on the cold marble, still feeling the ghost of his breath at my ear, the velvet pull of his voice wrapping around me like a secret.Damn him.Damn his cologne.Damn the way I wanted him, anyway.“You don’t have to do that, you know,” I muttered without looking up, trying to pretend the cookies on the counter were more interesting than the memories burning my mind.“What?”The voice was back. He was back.I looked up, startled. He leaned against the doorway, casual, composed—but something new was flickering in his eyes. Sharper. Hungrier.The teasing smirk he’d worn earlier was gone.“I know,” he said softly, voice low and sincere. “But sometimes I like doing annoying things.”I blinked. For once, he sounded genuine.And that made everything worse.I laughed bitterly, the sound harsh and broken. “Well,

Chapter 12: A Mirror of Her, A Reflection of Him"Enjoying your birthday, Kourtney?"That voice. Familiar and calm, yet always carrying a heat I couldn’t explain, sliced right through me.I turned—and the world vanished.He was there. Leaning casually against a marble column, the faintest smirk playing on his lips, eyes glittering like dusk-touched waves. Travis.“Travis!” His name left my lips in a breathless mix of shock and relief. My heart thudded. “You made it!”He chuckled—a low, rich sound that curled into the night like music. “Of course I did. I wouldn’t dare miss your big day.”Time slowed. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t look anywhere else. The noise, the people—it all disappeared. It was just us.“Well, it’s nice to see you here,” I said, trying to steady my voice.He pushed off the pillar, and with each step toward me, my chest tightened. But he didn’t look away. Not even once. His gaze clung to me like gravity.“You look stunning tonight, by the way.”Heat surged to my cheeks.

Chapter 14: Unspoken PromisesShe smiled — but it didn’t reach her eyes.“Kourtney,” she said softly.My throat tightened.“Kim.”The silence stretched.Then she asked,“Why now?”Her voice was calm but full of emotion.I took a step closer.“I needed to see you. To find out the truth.”Her smile faded.“The truth isn’t always what you want to hear.”Before I could answer, the sound of footsteps interrupted us.I turned.And there he was.Travis Forger.The man I never expected to see today.His eyes locked onto mine.A thousand unspoken words passed between us.I didn’t know if it was anger, pain, or something deeper.Kim looked at Travis, then back at me.“This isn’t just an audition,” she said quietly. “It’s a reckoning.”Before I could even decide whether to find Kim or sneak away unnoticed from the chaotic event, fate decided for me.Three women appeared like magical beings summoned by the universe itself."Hi, Miss Kourtney!" they beamed in perfect harmony, their brushes sparkli

Chapter 16: The Woman in Chanel"If we had told you earlier, it would have taken you even longer, and the surprise would've been ruined."I frowned at Mom’s logic, biting my tongue. What could I do? I was already here, dressed up and seated on this glamorous rooftop that overlooked the glittering skyline of Makati. Leaving wasn’t an option now—not with the scent of champagne and the buzz of something... suspicious in the air.The soft hum of conversation fell into silence when the waiter from earlier emerged once more. This time, he wasn’t alone. A small group followed him—shadows in the dim lighting. The rooftop was romantic in a cinematic sort of way, but it wasn’t helping me see who they were. The string lights cast halos around them, masking their faces like a scene pulled from a suspense film.Mom and Dad stood up. I followed, the air thick with anticipation. I clutched my clutch bag, fingernails digging into the faux leather.As the guests drew nearer, the faces became clearer.

Chapter: Shadows and SecretsI sat quietly, the words my mom just said echoing in my mind like a haunting melody I couldn’t escape.“I’m sure because I also like Travis, and the things he does to impress the Forgers, I am doing the same thing!” Her voice trembled with a confidence I couldn’t share. But deep inside, I knew she was right. Somehow, just like her, I was playing a game — a game of appearances, smiles, and pretending. Because Travis? He was playing too.Except the difference was, Travis never looked at me like he did with Yelena.I swallowed hard, trying to swallow the bitter truth. The way Travis entertained Yelena, laughed with her, touched her hand lightly as if she were the only person in the room — it was the kind of affection I craved but never received.I sighed, the weight of the silence heavy between my mom and me.“Mom,” I said softly, “I’ve forgotten about what happened that night.”Her eyes searched mine, unwavering. “If you really forgot, then you should come w