Jilted Bride, Shattered Illusion

edical bills, sent his sister to prep school, and funded his entire career, turning him fr

I overheard the truth. He was plotting with his high school girlfriend, C

ved, called me arrogant and

d for, said she only ever want

ly leave me, but publicly hum

whose world I had bui

d man, and this was the price. They thoug

etrius," I said to the camera, "I know your plan to leave me at

urch just as the ceremony was to begin,

pte

Demetrius Rogers, a talented artist she pulled from poverty in Queens. She

nger had medical debt. J

ed a prestigious prep schoo

anne's limitless bank account. She did it all for one reason:

the venue was booked, and the press was ready to capt

ustom-made gown for his mother. She wanted everything to be perfect. As she

, possessive tone of Cayla Hurst,

nking of marrying her, D

to the window, her heart starting

ice was a high-pitched whine. "You said you loved

ice was coarse. "That woman, Julianne, she' s so arrog

, we've always seen you as our siste

She had paid for Inger's life-saving surgery. She had gi

d of a slap. A sha

" Demetrius's vo

"If you marry her tomorrow, I'll kill myself! I'

rius, you can't let her do that! Our families have know

lianne held her breath, waiting for him to

is voice was low and resi

against the cold brick of the house, her

ying her isn't enough. You have to humiliate her. Leave her at the altar. Let everyone se

Kyleigh said eagerly. "Show h

ht away. The silence stretc

his voice barely

ense it was just a void. She was a silent

e gown in her hands felt heavy and ridiculous. She walked back to he

ry. She simply pulled out he

said, her v

ng! Are you exci

the we

lence on the other end

ater. Just canc

s laced with concern. "You sound.

e a physical blow

the memory she had suppresse

ind and gentle, and he was her soulmate. They were supposed to get married. But a

rief so profound she thought she would never recover. She spe

t art show at a small

wline, the same deep-set eyes as Craig. The resemblance was unc

She would give him and his family everything they ever wanted. In

ut for four years, she had clung to the illusion. She had told herself she could b

trayal, she was fin

tute was just a substitute. And

was hoarse, a crack in her perfect

ked at the house in her rearview mirror one la

y without a b

. She called her realtor and listed the apartment for sale. She called her

or tears. He found Julianne calmly sipping a glass of wine, the

d, a flicker of confusion in his eye

rius," she said simply, he

right words, the right angle. He d

happened at my mothe