The Unwanted Fiancée's Sweet Escape

ing parallel to his supposed life with her, w

sly planning their wedding, Ethan had been

home, he was helping Olivia find

mily functions, he was attending Olivia' s gallery openings, his arm pos

and Sarah had been the con

h her own quiet sacrifices and the slow erosion of her spirit, fuele

was a

ll dinner for a few political associ

ts from her father's study. As she appro

u love me, but you're still going through with this wedding to Sarah. How can

e. You've always been the one. Sarah... it' s complicate

her hand on

d suspected, what she' d pieced together

o early in this new timeline,

it was a

silently, the do

rah observed Olivia ac

her dark, expressive eyes and caref

irst life. At a charity gala, in front of hundreds of people, he' d gone dow

w coated in a thi

His true vows, whispered in secret to Ol

risy was

m. The decision to leave was not

d, Sarah found her father in

"About Aurora Valley. About Jacob Stone.

is daughter, his expressi

p. Oregon is a long way from Boston. This Jaco

lf anymore," Sarah said quietly. "I ne

ful. This alliance with Aurora Valley, protecting their water rights, building someth

es. He' d seen Ethan' s casual disregard for Sarah' s time and feelings more than onc

id finally. "Aurora Valley could be a valuable and ethical venture

ezed her hand. "You're a strong wom

gratitude. His supp

home, a bouquet of expensive lilies in hand

ngs have been crazy with Olivia, you know, af

mbrace her. Sarah subtly sidestepp

' s distinct, cloying

he said, her voice ne

her coolness, to the la

ing the lilies. Lilies were Olivia's favorit

hat's thoughtful." S

t his latest case, about how much his parents were looking

g occasionally, a poli

ied that all was well, con

e of detachment settling over her. He

ht sat on the hall table,

m up, her expres

en Sarah' s face. "Trouble in paradise,

iend. "Here, these are for you. Or

, okay. Generous. Did he finally

new," Sarah

re serious about this, aren't

rious," Sa

rbell rang, a shar

rtains. "Speak of the devil

quickly suppressed. She' d known

Sarah said calmly.