บททั้งหมดของ Love No More: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 9

While picking out a ring in the store, I saw Jonathan Baxter for the first time in six months.The salesperson's cheerful commentary on the diamond ring I was trying on barely reached my ears. My eyes were fixed on him, looking slightly preoccupied across the room. When he noticed the ring on my finger, he walked over, expression cool, and asked, "How come you came alone? I was actually going to surprise you."His tone was casual, but I saw the shopping bag in his hand—a set of diamond necklaces. Not for me. For Chloe Morris.Yesterday, when they had returned, I'd overheard her murmuring to him, asking for diamond necklaces as her birthday gift. And here Jonathan was, already delivering. Of course—whatever Chloe wanted, no matter the effort, he made it happen. Not like me. All I'd ever wanted was a wedding. A wedding I had waited eight years for, and never received.So this time, Jonathan, I would wait no longer.I took a few steps back, silently slid the ring off my finger,

Jonathan glanced at my handbag and the white shopping bag in my hand, his gaze lingering. "I saw a small pink box earlier," he said. "What was that?""You must have been mistaken," I replied, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear as I searched for a way to decline his sudden push for the marriage license.Before I could form a response, his phone rang sharply, the caller ID flashing through the car's speaker. It was Chloe, her voice tight with panic. "Uncle Jon, I think someone's following me!"Jonathan's entire demeanor shifted to alert. "Don't be scared, Chloe. Tell me where you are. I'm on my way."Watching the stark concern flood his eyes, I was thrown back to the time of Chloe's suicide attempt. It happened after she learned of my engagement to Jonathan. She had confessed her feelings to him, been gently rebuffed, and reacted with desperate measures.Consumed by guilt, and with our wedding date already set, Jonathan had redoubled his efforts to care for her. He had i

Jonathan blinked hard, certain his eyes were deceiving him. He rubbed them, then stared again at the wedding invitation in his hand.Bride: Cammy WinstonGroom: James WickThe words were sharp, unmistakable, etched right before him.His breath hitched. No sound came out."Cammy… you… how could you…"His eyes were bloodshot, burning with disbelief—as if he couldn't accept that I was capable of leaving him.My voice stayed steady."Yes, Jonathan. Our wedding was called off six months ago. There is still a wedding next weekend… but not with you."I spoke each word clearly, watching him surge toward me like a caged animal suddenly freed."No… no, that's impossible, Cammy! This—this has to be a fake! It has to be!"He gripped the invitation, knuckles white. "If you say it's fake… if you're just trying to punish me… I'll forgive you. I'll forgive you right now."Forgive? Even now, he spoke as though my needing his pardon was some ordinary, expected thing.I laughed bitterly."Wh

"And today, here, I want to thank my wife for agreeing to be my partner in this life." James set down the microphone, drew me close, and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips.My body trembled, but his steady presence anchored me, and I slowly relaxed into the moment.The truth was, James and I didn't share a long history. We had only known each other for six months. Our paths had crossed before, but never meaningfully until now. I understood exactly what he was doing up there—he was speaking for me, shielding me, and showing Jonathan there was no hope left.Jonathan watched us kiss from the edge of the crowd, his face pale. I didn't see him leave. Perhaps James's family's security escorted him out, or perhaps he walked away on his own. It didn't matter anymore. My chapter with him was over. It was time to begin my own story.That night, I returned home completely drained. James drew a basin of warm water for me to soak my feet and knelt beside me. "I know you're not ready," he

I lowered my head shyly, trying to focus on my meal. The TV in the background was still on, tuned to a news channel.[Baxter Group CEO, Jonathan Baxter, Announces Permanent Retreat to Contemplative Life.]Before the segment could finish, James asked the housekeeper to mute the sound.He usually didn't react so strongly to reminders of my past. His sharpness today took me aback. "You…" I started."Just eat," he said, a clear edge in his voice.A flicker of worry passed through me. I quietly asked the housekeeper to give us the room, then moved closer to him. "I thought… you said it didn't bother you.""Of course it bothers me," James said, finally letting the frustration surface.…"I don't care about the history you shared with him," he explained, his voice low. "What I care about is the pain he put you through for years.""That day at our wedding, I didn't have him thrown out immediately because of you. I didn't want to turn our day into a spectacle.""But now?" He shook his