All Chapters of Swapping Out the Groom: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

The next morning, I was awakened by a loud, insistent knocking at the door.It had been the best sleep I'd had in a long time. So deep, in fact, that when I got up, I was still dazed. I didn't even check the peephole—just opened the door.Standing there were Jayden's parents.They didn't look pleased. His mother took one look at my bleary eyes and gave a cold, sharp laugh."Leah! I heard from your parents—you're not planning to keep looking for Jayden? What's that supposed to mean? Do you not love him at all?""That's right, Leah. Why would you suddenly stop looking? As his parents, of course we're worried!"Her voice was sharp and aggressive, while his father chimed in almost instantly, brushing past me and walking straight into the apartment.I looked at the two of them—dressed plainly, yet with an air of calculation that felt almost practiced. Something inside me gave a dry chuckle, though on the surface, I let my face take on just the right amount of sorrow, my eyes even tur

Under Jayden's parents' puzzled stares, I no longer bothered with pretense. I nodded plainly. "Yes. I told you before. I'm done with Jayden. He's vanished now anyway, and I don't intend to wait.""Leah! Don't be impulsive. Just wait—I'll find him! You can't possibly throw away six years of love just like that!"I said nothing. I simply watched them leave, the corners of my lips lifting into a slow, mocking smile.Not long after, a video arrived on my phone."Ms. Devin, here's the latest footage." It was from the person I'd hired to keep tabs on Jayden.In the frame, he was walking hand in hand with Sophie down a street, smiling like a man without a care. Then his phone rang. He answered, listened for a moment, and his face fell."What? Mom, you want me to come back right now? What? Leah's engaged to someone else?! Mom, calm down, we'll talk when I get back!"His face drained of color. He turned abruptly, clearly ready to flee. But Sophie grabbed his arm, leaned in close, whisp

After my family cut ties with Jayden's family and pulled our investment, they laid low for only a short while. Then, together with Sophie, they began canvassing the city for funds.Until now, every contract at Jayden's family's firm had been handled by people from the Devin Group. The jobs were small, yet still rich enough to keep their household comfortable. With the break, our managers left as well, and the company was suddenly hollowed out. Apart from a handful of junior hires, no one remained who could steer the ship. Chaos set in, resignations followed one after another, but Jayden's family convinced themselves they could run things alone. They even decided the Devin Group had been timid—content with "petty profit"—and believed, at last, they could make their own bold decisions.Their calls to former partners were clumsy and presumptuous. A few offended owners phoned me to complain. I told them, plainly, that whatever Jayden and his parents were doing had nothing to do with

With that thought, my tone cooled."Jayden, my financials are a private matter. It's not your place to interfere. And even if I did divorce Nick, there's no chance I'd be with you. What kind of joke are you telling?"How long do you plan on pretending? I really don't love you anymore, Jayden. Wouldn't it be better to end things peacefully?"My rejections, sharp and unyielding, finally brought a flush to his eyes. He choked up, then began the familiar performance."Leah! My family is falling apart! Are you really going to just watch us go down like this? What did our six years mean to you?!""Then let me ask you—what did those six years mean to you? Nothing, right? Not even a cent's worth. You disappeared for a whole month before our wedding to be with Sophie. Who forced you? Everything now—you brought it on yourself. What does any of it have to do with me?"The words left no room for sympathy. Jayden's tears dried up mid-act. He couldn't keep it up anymore. He shot me a vicious l