Jake sent dozens of messages. I ignored every single one.
Jake, the wedding’s all ready–just missing a bride.
What really confused me was who’d paid that penalty fee.
I had zero friends here, and Dad sure as hell wouldn’t help.
Jake’s flight from Bali touched down at Sea–Tac.
First thing he did was call me obsessively.
Call after call, getting that automated “number unavailable” message.
Jake frowned but figured I was throwing another tantrum.
By evening when he got home, reality started sinking in.
The wedding decorations were completely gone.
Our bedroom looked like a crime scene–all our photos shredded in the trash.
Jake ripped open the closet–most of my stuff had vanished.
That’s when he finally started to panic.
He grabbed his phone and started texting frantically:
[Mia where the fuck are you? what kind of game is this?]
[Mia stop being such a drama queen I just got back and I’m exhausted]
[If you keep this bullshit up don’t blame me for canceling our wedding]
Even now, Jake thought he could threaten me into submission.
He was so sure he had me wrapped around his finger.
Thought I’d come crawling back like some pathetic puppy, just like always.
In his twisted mind, I’d be standing there waiting no matter how badly he treated me.
I saw his messages and immediately blocked his number.
That’s when someone knocked on my hospital room door.
A guy in an expensive black suit walked in.
“Ms. Hartwell? My boss would like to meet with you.”
I was confused but curious enough to follow him.
Still in my hospital gown, I got taken to this fancy hotel nearby.
Walking into the penthouse suite, I saw a familiar silhouette by the window.
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
15:30
He Wanted a Hiking Trip? Honey, His Funeral Was My Comeback Tour!
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Chapter 5
“Mom?”
She turned around.
She looked almost exactly like I remembered, maybe a few more lines around her eyes, but clearly living well.
When she left Dad and me sixteen years ago, I was just a kid.
She promised she’d come back for me once she got settled.
That was over ten years ago.
Seeing my gaunt frame and pale lips, Mom’s eyes immediately filled with tears.
She pulled me into this fierce hug.
“Mia, sweetie, what happened to you? You look… oh honey, these years must’ve been hell. Don’t worry, don’t worry–Mommy’s taking you away
from here. We’re going overseas.”
I stood there stiffly, arms hanging at my sides.
I’d forgotten what love really felt like.
“Mom… can you do me a favor?”
She smoothed down my messy hair.
“Baby girl, anything. Whatever you need, it’s done.“””
Soon enough, it was wedding day.
Jake waited in my bridal suite, absolutely certain I’d show up.
“Jake…”
Bethany appeared behind him with red, puffy eyes.
“Jake, can you take me to the pier one last time? After today, I swear I’ll never bother you again.”
Jake hesitated, checking his Rolex–three hours until the ceremony.
“Alright. One last time,”
Bethany dragged out their “goodbye” with every excuse in the book.
But at the last possible moment, he made it back,
He was dead certain that when he opened that door, I’d be standing there in white waiting for him.
But when he pushed open the door? He froze.
Chapter 6
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.