Chapter 11

Three days later, Julian showed up at my door.He looked ten years older. His beard was unshaven, and dark circles hung beneath his eyes.He clutched his phone so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.“Cora, let me see those screenshots.”His voice was hoarse.I said nothing. I simply handed him the printed copies of the messages.I had paid a private investigator a considerable amount of money to retrieve them from Vivian’s best friend’s phone.Julian took the pages with trembling hands.The first page showed a conversation from a year ago.We had just bought the house back then and hadn’t started renovating it yet.Vivian had sent a voice message.“Does that idiot Julian really think he owns half the house? I looked at the purchase agreement. Cora’s parents paid for the entire thing. He doesn’t have a cent invested in it.”Her friend replied, “Then why do you still want it?”“Why wouldn’t I? It’s free.“If I play the victim a little and bring up my dad, he’ll feel

Chapter 12

Julian spent the entire night waiting outside my building.When I stepped out early the next morning, he was still standing there like a statue.The moment he saw me, he stumbled toward me and grabbed the hem of my coat.“Cora, I really know I was wrong.“Vivian was lying to me. She’s been playing me this whole time.“I went to confront her yesterday, but she blocked me. She wouldn’t even answer my calls.“I’ve lost everything. My reputation is ruined, I lost my job, and my whole life has fallen apart.”He looked up at me. His eyes were bloodshot, his face haggard, and he looked utterly miserable.“Cora, we were together for five years. Can’t you forgive me just this once?“I promise I’ll never meddle in anyone else’s business again.“I’ll devote myself to you. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.“As long as we can start over, I’ll do anything for you.”I looked down at the hand clutching my coat.His fingers were rough, with dirt caked beneath his nails.

Chapter 13

A month later, my phone chimed with a bank notification.$18,300 had been deposited into my account.The only note read: Repayment.I froze for a moment before Mark called me.“Cora, you got the money, right?“Julian paid it back.“That guy really went all out.“To come up with the money, he sold the small house he owned back home.“He even sold the car he’d been driving for three years for next to nothing.“He really has nothing left now.”I held my phone, feeling absolutely nothing.“Did he do all that to make me feel sorry for him?”Mark sighed.“Who knows? Maybe he just wanted to preserve what little dignity he had left.“He said he owed you that money and had to pay you back.“He also said he doesn’t have the money for the $5,000 cancellation fee and the wedding expenses yet, but he’ll pay you back eventually.“Cora, Julian really has it rough now.”I said nothing and hung up.A short while later, a friend request popped up on my social media.It was from Julian

Chapter 14

To take care of the remaining legal matters concerning the house once and for all, I hired Elliot Hayes as my attorney.He was the youngest partner at Daniel Whitaker’s law firm. With his gold-rimmed glasses and composed demeanor, he looked refined and levelheaded.He carefully reviewed my purchase agreement and payment records.“Ms. Mitchell, your parents did exactly the right thing.“This house was the result of decades of their hard work. Since they paid for it in full, it is legally your separate property acquired before marriage. There’s no ambiguity about that.“This isn’t about being suspicious. It’s the strongest protection your parents could give you.“Anyone trying to make you give up a portion of this asset is essentially gambling with your future.”His words were like a gentle breeze, instantly clearing away the gloom in my heart.As we spent more time together, a subtle attraction began to develop between us.Elliot never fawned over me because of my family’s fina

Chapter 15

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling over the white wedding gown and bathing it in a warm, almost sacred glow.A year later, I stood on a wedding stage once again.But this time, the man standing beside me was Elliot.The officiant’s passionate voice echoed throughout the reception hall.“Now, let’s welcome the groom’s father to the stage to offer his blessings to the newlyweds.”But the person who walked onto the stage was my father.In his hands was an elegant red velvet box.Inside was the key to the house that had once caused so much conflict.“Cora. Elliot.”My father’s voice trembled with emotion, but it was still filled with strength.“Last year, I handed this key to Julian, hoping it would bring you two happiness.“Instead, it nearly ruined your life.“Today, I’m giving this key back to you.“This isn’t about some so-called property. It’s something your father wants you to have—a sense of security and the confidence to stand on your own.

All Chapters of You Used Our Wedding Home to Repay a Debt, So I’m Calling Off the Wedding: Chapter 11 - Chapter 15

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15