I'm Just A Substitute Wife For Your First Love?

When I could finally move, it was with a cold, hard resolve. I would

ome home that ni

to a bitter resignation, the front door opened. Liam walked in

g a long, velv

e case down and walked toward me. He tried

with concern. "What' s wrong? You

t him, my heart

he said, turning to the case.

neri, a legendary instrument from the 18th century, worth a fo

A wedding present. I know things have been... difficult. I wante

ilence. He was trying to

have made me weep with joy.

d, calculating part of me took over. Confronting him now would only lead to a messy, emoti

to see how far he would go. I wanted

strange on my face. "Liam... it' s

He believed it. He actually believed h

lling me into a hug again. This

you, too,

ancée perfectly. I told him I understood the pre

. We can' t postpone that. My parents have already booked their flights to be here for it. It

ould see the conf

d pleading. "I' ll handle everythin

y, Liv. Ten days. I' ll

er, he dropped

n serious. "Liv, we need to

self. "What

ce careful. "She has nowhere to go. Her old house was sold years ago. I tho

y mind reeling. "

l, this is the part that' s hard." He took a deep breath. "

ve o

ncing. "The bride and groom aren' t supposed to live together in the month

about bad luck while my e

pposed to go?" I a

a beautiful condo for you downtown. It' s all set up. It' s just fo

ove her in. He was erasing me

ords tasting like ash. "If i

and cheerful. He was too happy to see me go. He carried my boxes

l condo that felt like a hotel room.

e dinner, sent flowers, texted me constantly. "Counting down the day

illusion alive, to keep me placate

. When I asked about the final details for the photoshoot, he wa

ecause he knew it was

and makeup done. I stepped into the custom-made wedding gown, a confection of lace and si

we were set to have the shoot. The phot

as not

nt straight to voicemail.

r was getting impatient. The sun was starting

admit defeat, a sleek black car pulle

Ethan

pathy. He was dressed in a sharp suit, look

he said, his

re?" I asked, my voice

hin it was transparent. He was checking on me. He k

ak. A single tear escaped and trace

ulled out a handkerchief, handing i

im, my phone finall

and breathless. "You have to get to the hospita