บททั้งหมดของ HE LEFT ME FOR MY STEPSISTER, I MOVED ON TO THE NEXT: บทที่ 281 - บทที่ 290

Chapter 281 The morning didn’t just arrive; it breathed. It slipped through the sheer silk curtains of the estate like a secret, brushing over my skin with a warmth that felt like a blessing. I woke up to a stillness that was no longer empty. For the first time in years, the silence didn't feel like a predatory thing waiting to swallow me whole. It felt like peace. Today was the day. I sat on the edge of the bed, my bare feet touching the cool marble floor, my hands trembling as I pressed them to my chest. My heartbeat felt too loud for such a quiet morning, as if my body was trying to remind me that this joy was real, that it was happening. I closed my eyes and breathed slowly, deliberately, grounding myself in the present. Outside the room, the house hummed gently as it woke. I could hear life unfolding—soft footsteps gliding down the hallway, the distant clink of glassware being arranged, muted voices giving instructions. Somewhere below, laughter bubbled up, bright and unrestr

Chapter 283 The kind that doesn’t demand blood ties to prove its worth. He pulled back slowly, keeping his hands on my shoulders as if grounding both of us. His eyes were wet, red-rimmed, but steady. “It is the greatest honor of my life,” he said, his voice rough with emotion, “to walk you down that aisle, Elena. Greatest. Honor.” He paused, then added with a trembling attempt at humor, “And I’ve already warned Nathan—if he ever makes you cry for the wrong reasons, he’ll have to answer to a very angry old man with nothing left to lose.” A broken laugh escaped me, tangled with tears. “I believe you.” We laughed together—quietly, shakily—our shared grief and joy colliding in a fragile moment of levity before the weight of the day settled back onto my shoulders. Not crushing. Just present. Real. Frank offered his arm, and I slipped my hand through it, feeling the steady strength there. Together, we moved toward the grand staircase. That was when I saw her. Beatrice stood partiall

Chapter 285 Each step felt like a victory. Not the loud kind—the kind no one applauds—but the quiet, sacred kind that only the soul recognizes. Step. The cold floor of the warehouse where I once lay bleeding faded from my mind. The echo of my own screams, the smell of rust and fear, the certainty that I would not survive—it loosened its grip. Step. The sharp, hollow pain of my father’s death softened into something duller. It was still there, always would be, but it no longer threatened to split me open. It sat gently now, like a scar you touch when you need to remember how strong you were to survive it. Step. The fear of tomorrow—the constant dread that happiness was temporary, that the universe would snatch it away the moment I dared to trust it—quieted. Not gone, but hushed. As if even fear knew this moment was sacred and chose to step aside. Frank walked beside me, steady and proud. His arm was strong beneath my trembling hand, and with every step, I felt the unspoken tru

Chapter 287 The officiant gave us a moment, and in that pause, it felt like the world itself had stopped breathing. Then it was Lucian and Carmen’s turn. Lucian stepped forward, visibly nervous, his usual composure replaced by raw emotion. He took Carmen’s hands, holding them like they were fragile and sacred all at once. “Carmen,” he began, his voice trembling, “for a long time, I thought love was a lie. Something people invented because they were afraid of being alone. I told myself I was better off guarded, detached, untouched.” He laughed weakly, eyes shining. “Then you came into my life and proved me wrong in ways I never expected. You challenged me. You saw through me. You stayed when I tried to push you away.” He swallowed hard. “I promise to choose you every day. I promise to be patient when you are afraid and strong when you are tired. I promise to grow with you, not ahead of you. You are my miracle—and I will never take you for granted.” Carmen was already crying wh

Chapter 289Carmen suddenly pressed a hand to her stomach, her smile faltering just slightly.Lucian noticed immediately. “Hey. You okay?”She nodded quickly. “Yes. Just… a lot of excitement.”I caught Elena-instinct mode kicking in—watching and sensing every corner. Carmen’s face had gone a shade paler, and she swallowed hard.Before I could say anything, Ava clapped her hands loudly.“Okay, okay,” she announced. “Before everyone gets too comfortable and emotional, we need to energize this place.”Groans mixed with laughter.“What are you planning?” someone shouted.Ava’s eyes sparkled. “Games.”The room reacted instantly.Some people cheered.Some people laughed nervously.Some people—Lucian—looked like they wanted to escape through the nearest window.The DJ lowered the music slightly, switching tracks to something playful, upbeat and teasing. Glasses were set aside. Jackets came off. Heels were kicked out of the way.“Oh no,” I muttered under my breath.Nathan leaned closer,