The Engagement Betrayal

back through a different set of doors, finding myself in a long, empty corri

, every moment of coldness no

d a romantic getaway for his birthday. I had spent weeks planning it.

Lily? You know my condition. A

ed, blaming myself for not being more considerate of his "phobia.

anxiety disorders, trying to find ways to help him, to make him fee

that you care, Lily. But this is just something

patient for 2,920 da

, and I was struggling to breathe. I had called him in a panic. He had sounded annoyed, telling me he was in an "important meeting" and that I should

die because he didn't want t

, wracking sobs. The love I thought was my life's foundation was a lie. The man I adore

familiar, mocking laughter. It was Mark's friends again, walk

ering toward me. "The blushing bride-to-be. Yo

malicious. "She's probably just realizing what a lucky woman she i

yone wanted in on the action of Mark finally conquering his 'phobia'."

, my body, my wedding night, was w

cut through the pain.

weetheart. It's a compliment.

g toward us. She had a self-satisfied smirk on her face. She s

ion?" she asked, thoug

ll private room where Mark had left them. I tried to push past Sar

mumbled, my eye

her designer shoe, and I went sprawling forward, landing hard on the polished marble

my wrist. It was alr

t mask of feigned surprise. "Oh, my goodness! I

ds howled wi

down the hall, drawn by the noise. He saw S

is going on her

tress. "Mark, darling, I don't know what happened! She just...

rated disgust. It was the same look he'd given me when I had my allergic reac

his voice cold and flat

ce. "She tripped me," I choked out, holding up my

is gaze was fixed on the tearstains on

d appeared nearby. "Get her out of here. Take her to the back entrance. And for G

edding photos. Not about my pain. Not about th

n an instant. He gently took her arm, his voice softeni

id, leaning against him.

me, his expression uncomfortab

in my bones. This was my life. This was the man I was supposed to promise my future to. A man who w

inside m

d straight at Mark. My voice, when it came out, was surpr

ar

oyed that I wa

each word a stone dropping i

shock crossed his face. But it

t be ridiculous, Lily. You're just emo

wn the corridor as if I were nothing more than a tem

s he led me away like a common trespasser

d never, ever go back to him. This wasn't just

s my