A whirlwind romance of dreamy dates and heartfelt conversations is sparked by Ava and Ethan’s instant connection. Ava is overjoyed when Ethan proposes to her just three months later.
However, as their wedding draws closer, a shocking revelation poses a threat of shattering their fairytale love. You know those times when you feel like you’re in a romance novel?
That was me when I met Ethan on a sunny spring day.
When we unintentionally touched, I was browsing the shelves of my favorite coffee shop and bookstore for a new book.
Of all things, we both reached for the same copy of Pride and Prejudice. I remember looking up and almost falling in love with his brown, warm eyes.
My heart skipped a beat when he gave me a smile with dimples and charm. I’m sorry, oh,” he said.
It appears that we have similar tastes in books.
I laughed out of fear.
That’s fine. You can possess it.
“Why don’t we share it? ” I was able to smell the woodsy scent of his perfume because he had leaned in close enough.
Perhaps over coffee?
“I couldn’t possibly say no.
We sipped coffee and talked about our favorite books as we relaxed on a comfy sofa in the shop’s back corner for the afternoon. I was completely in love by the time he asked for my number.
That marked the beginning of our whirlwind romance. dinner under the stars, unexpected getaways on the weekend, and deep, late-night conversations that make you feel like you’ve known the person for a long time.
I had the impression that I was in a romantic comedy.
At that point, I should have realized that it was too good to be true.
Ethan proposed to me at the same coffee shop three months after we first met. Everything looked like something out of a fairy tale because it was sunset and the sky was painted pink and orange.
He abruptly got down on one knee while we were seated on the sofa in our usual spot. As he extended a ring that sparkled almost as much as his eyes, my heart raced.
In such a short amount of time, Ava, you have brought so much joy into my life.
Will you marry me?
” I couldn’t find the words, so I just nodded with tears in my eyes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!
He scooped me up into his arms and grinned as he put the ring on my finger. It was flawless.
We decided to have a small, intimate wedding a few miles outside of town on a lake.
We reserved a weekend getaway for just close friends and family.
The party before the wedding was a happy blur of toasts, clinking glasses, and laughter. Olivia, Ethan’s sister, was as bubbly as ever, flitting about and making everyone laugh with her clever remarks.
As we made our way to the restrooms, I teased her by saying, “Olivia, you’re going to spill that drink. ” She was wildly gesturing with her glass.
She laughed me off right away.
Olivia stated, “You know, I still can’t believe you two managed to pull this off.
” I was too caught up in the festivities to notice the slight shift in her expression. I shook my head in confusion.
She took a sip of her drink and asked, “Pull what off? ” “The whole fake marriage thing,” she said casually.
I mean, I know it was the only way Ethan could get the inheritance, but you two deserve an Oscar for how well you performed.
My heart broke.
When Olivia realized her error, her eyes widened. “What do you mean, fake marriage?
” Wait, you weren’t aware? She mumbled, her face turning pale.
I had the impression that you were involved.
I was hit with a cold wave of shock.
With a lower voice, Olivia asked, “In on what? ” She looked around.
The inheritance of Ethan Ethan would only be eligible to receive his portion of our grandfather’s estate if he married within six months of the will’s reading. We were all of the opinion that this was simply a convenient arrangement.
I felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me as I stumbled back.
The realization made the room appear to spin.
Everything, from the romantic gestures to the sudden proposal, was done to get money. My relationship with Ethan was not real at any point.
It was unbelievable to me. The only sound in the room was Ethan’s steady breathing, so I waited until he fell asleep.
The bedside table contained his phone.
I picked it up, my hands shaking, desperate to learn the whole story.
What I found when I started scrolling through his messages completely shattered me. The situation was mocked in texts to his friends.
He had written, “The inheritance is mine in a few months. ” I can’t believe she gave in.
“With each message, his cruel words cut deeper than any physical wound, and my heart sank further.
” He had manipulated and abused me for financial gain.
Although I had a sincere love for him, to him, I was just a means to an end. I felt like a fool, like a young girl who had read fairy tales.
But then I felt a fire start to burn within me. I got back into bed and placed his phone exactly where I found it.
I had a clear strategy for making Ethan regret playing me.
When the wedding day arrived, the location was picture perfect.
Every corner was covered in flowers, and the gathering guests were enveloped in a magical atmosphere created by the soft glow of fairy lights. However, the feeling of betrayal that I carried within me made my heart heavy.
Every step made me feel like I was marching toward my own demise as I walked down the aisle. I could now see through the cloak that Ethan was wearing as he stood at the altar, looking every bit the groom.
The calculating, cold man who had manipulated me was visible to me.
I took a deep breath when it was my turn to say my vows, my voice steady but emotional.
“Ethan,” I began, “I thought I had found the love of my life when we first met. ” I thought we could have a bright future together.
However, I am here today to reveal the truth, not to wed you. The guests’ eyes were filled with confusion and curiosity as they heard a murmur.
With a tinge of fear on his face, Ethan’s smile faltered.
I continued, my voice getting stronger, “You see, this wedding was never about love for Ethan.
” The issue was money. I was the ideal pawn in his game because he needed to get married to get his inheritance.
Ethan’s face became pale as gasps filled the air. What are you doing, Ava?
He hissed and tried to grab me by the hand, but I backed away.
I said, “I’m reclaiming my worth,” standing tall.
I ought to be loved by someone who appreciates me for who I am rather than what I possess. I won’t wed a man who sees me as nothing more than a tool for his benefit.
With that, I turned and left the altar, my spirit lifted but my heart pounding. I was followed by the shock and whispers, but I felt free.
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