Lahat ng Kabanata ng She Stole My Wedding, So I Left: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

I stared at Ethan Carter in disbelief.He said it like it was the most reasonable thing in the world."Look how much work you put into this wedding. What if something goes wrong?"This way, Ava can have a trial run and make sure everything goes smoothly for you. We're practically family, so there's no need to thank us."I laughed in disbelief.Five years of love and this was what it had come to."Fine. Then you can be her groom too."My calm response seemed to catch Ethan off guard."Baby."Ava looked at him with a shy smile."Ethan."Ethan took her hand and gave me the same promise I'd heard a hundred times before."Baby, just wait. We'll have an even bigger, better wedding afterward! This is just Ava playing bride for a day. It doesn't count. You're the only woman I'll ever marry!"But I didn't want him anymore.The two of them walked down the aisle together, looking every bit like newlyweds. I turned around and walked out with my head held high.Then I texted the former labmate who

I walked home alone.My phone kept buzzing with photos and videos from the party. Ethan, Ava, and all their friends were having the time of their lives.Everyone was raising a glass to the happy newlyweds.I put the phone down and started packing.That was when it hit me. After living with Ethan for three years, I'd barely left a trace of myself in this house.He said Ava was timid, afraid of the dark and terrified of thunder.The moment storm clouds appeared, she'd show up at our door, too scared to spend the night alone.Little by little, she took over a guest room, filled the bathroom with her toiletries, and even had a closet made for herself.Before long, half my vanity belonged to her too.Ethan just laughed and teased her fondly."You're always buying useless things. Will you ever use all this stuff?"But she was spending his money, wasn't she?Funny. In all our years together, Ethan had never even added me to one of his credit cards.My chest tightened, but I forced myself to b

I flew straight to Europe.My former labmate picked me up at the airport. We dropped off my luggage, then headed straight to the lab.I had turned down his offer before because I couldn't bring myself to leave Ethan.Now that I was finally here, he was thrilled.Back in the States, Ethan couldn't get my pale face and bitter smile out of his head.It kept haunting him.The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became.In the end, he called off the IVF.Ava pouted, clearly upset."Ethan, you're afraid of upsetting Sophia, aren't you? Forget it. I can't be the reason the two of you are unhappy."She turned away in a daze, missed a step, and tumbled down the stairs.Ethan rushed over to help her and called for a doctor, worry written all over his face."Watch where you're going. We've gone too far this time. Sophia is furious. I can't keep putting your feelings first."Ava cried harder."So once Sophia has a child, will you stop seeing me altogether?"Ethan quickly reassured her."O

Rachel said pointedly, "Ms. Taylor showed me her Instagram earlier. That was quite a wedding.""That wedding was fake. Ava wanted a fantasy ceremony—just a game of make-believe. I have a real partner."Rachel raised an eyebrow."Then your partner is remarkably generous."Ethan was speechless.Rachel seemed to understand. A hint of amusement flashed in her eyes."Mr. Carter, has Ms. Taylor become more and more dependent on you over the years? And have you given in to her every time?"Ethan's heart sank.He couldn't help defending himself."We've known each other since childhood. We're as close as siblings, even if we aren't related by blood."Rachel gave a short laugh."And does your partner see it that way? Does anyone else see it that way? More importantly, does Ms. Taylor see it that way?"When she showed me those wedding photos, she looked every bit the happy bride."Ethan felt like he'd been struck by lightning.He stood abruptly and struggled to keep his voice calm."You've got it

Ava burst into wild laughter and threw herself at Ethan.He shoved her to the floor."Ava, what is wrong with you?""I went crazy years ago! I've stayed by your side all this time because you're the only man I've ever wanted!"And you, Ethan—are you really going to tell me you never noticed? That you didn't enjoy having me depend on you? Sophia and I were fighting over you. Don't tell me you didn't love every second of it!"You said our wedding was just make-believe. But when you stood beside me as the groom, are you saying you weren't happy at all? And now you're blaming me? How dare you?"Now that Ava had finally dropped the act, Ethan felt strangely calm.He knew he had been wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong.Ever since Ava's parents died in a crash ten years ago, he had pitied the girl he'd always thought of as a little sister.He had never imagined his pity would bring them here.His expression turned cold, as if Ava were nothing more than a stranger.Ava panicked. She had risked ev