FORGOTTEN BRIDE

lia'

at your e

owly, the question hanging in the air like an uninvited guest. The voice had come from a strange

he space. I had come here to clear my mind, to escape the constant thoughts of Xander and his betrayal, to try and focus on someth

y anything, of course, but I knew they were struggling. My mother had started working more hours to make ends

or a job. It wasn't much, but it was a way to contribute, to lift some of the weight off their shoulders.

en I s

. And

but it wasn't just that. It was the way Xander looked. The same confident, self-assured expression I had once adored, now a mockery of the man I had known. He was

s of what had once been mine, and now, it felt like everything had slipped through my fingers. I h

appear into the crowd, but then I hea

tone dripping with mockery. "Is

er words affected me. I had to be stronger than this. I c

urned back to face her. "Amelia," I said flatly, trying t

all the drama you caused." She glanced at Xander, who stood there silently, his expression unreada

u don't know anything about me," I replied, my voice barely a whisper

oser. "You were never enough for him. You were just a litt

at. Xander's silence was the worst part. He just stood there, like he was en

andoned me, the one who had let me go so easily. And now here he was, wa

r insult my way. "You know, it's funny," she said, her eyes gleaming with something between amusement and disdain. "I thought you'

ng bag for her bitterness. I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could get a

long it would take for you to realize you were never enough for him.

aid, my voice steady, but my heart racing. "You don't know anything about me. You have no idea

he glanced over at Xander, who was still standing there, utterly

rying to act like she's got some control. You never h

hink Xander belongs to you?" I asked, my voice cold. "You think you're the one who's going to make him happy? That's rich.

ht actually take a swing at me. But I didn't care. If she wanted to fight,

epped forward, his voice low an

felt like forever, I saw something in his eyes. It wasn't warmth, but it wasn't the indifference I had gotten u

ning, of proving that she had control over everything. But Xander's words-his co

ready to back

nough," she hissed, taki

with Xander, done with Amelia, done with all of

tter how hard you try, you'll never be the woman I was. So keep

to strike me. I braced myself, but before she could make conta

said firmly, his voi

the air. The tension was thick, like so

er eyes burning with frustration,

breathless, m

d me, and all I could think was