Chapter 1
Bergen Chadwick, her fiancé, had been cheating on her..
Vanessie Chavez stood outside the bridal shop’s fitting room, overhearing her future husband screwing another woman.
“Bergen… who do you think looks better in this wedding dress, me or your fiancée? the woman purred.
“You, obviously. I’m burning for you right now. Isn’t that proof enough of your charm?”
The woman giggled, pleased with his answer.
‘I’ll make sure
re you remember me forever. Even on your wedding day, on every anniversary, you’ll relive this moment, thinking of me.”
Vanessie heard the faint moans from within, a chill running through her.
So those “business trips” right before their wedding were just excuses to mask his affair.
Suppressing the rising bile, she turned and walked back to her car.
Seven years together, they’d built Venberg Group from scratch, weathered struggles, and achieved success.
Her elder sister had warned her about Bergen and even sent her a message: “Our family won’t be attending your wedding to Bergen. You’re on your own.”
Vanessie opened her phone and replied with red eyes, “There won’t be a wedding”
After a while, Vanessie received the reply. Tll believe you if you come back to Washington, DC. within a month. Otherwise, you’re no longer
my sister.”
Vanessie replied with the word “okay” and then put away her phone.
She started the car and drove off just as Bergen stepped out of the bridal shop with the woman still clinging to his arm.
Spotting the familiar license plate, he froze mid–step. But in that moment of hesitation, the car was already gone.
Bergen detached the woman’s hand from his arm and straightened his attire, instantly transforming back into his usual refined demeanor.
T have Dugan take you home,” he said.
The woman pouted, “But you promised to go shopping with me…
Bergen patted her head, his eyes cold and firm. “Be good”
The woman dared not push further. With a sullen expression, she followed–his assistant Dugan Drake away.
After they left, Bergen walked to his car. In the reflection on the polished surface, he studied his own image, his features showing no trace of indulgence.
When he returned home, he found Vanessie’s car already parked in the garage. She sat in the driver’s seat, staring at her phone.
‘Did
you go out?” Bergen flung his suit jacket onto the passenger seat as he slid in, leaning close.
His black shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing glimpses of his well–defined muscles, with no signs of another woman’s presence.
When she remained silent, he moved to kiss her.
Vanessie snapped her phone screen dark and blocked him with her hand, hertone sharp. “Are you that afraid of me going out?”
Bergen paused briefly before responding, “Of course not. You can go out whenever you want. I just worry you might get bored without company.”
With that, he reached out to wrap an arm around her waist, his voice softening as he coaxed her, “Tell me who upset you, my darling?”
Vanessie didn’t answer. Instead, she wared silently at his strikingly handsome face, her eyes cold.
Just like before, he could always sense her mood shifts immediately, pinpointing the cause, offering solutions, and providing the perfect
rinational comfor
Vansie shook her head and averted her gaze, her voice distant.
ReelShort–Stream Drama & TV
< Chapter 1
“Bergen, you’ve been so busy lately. I don’t think our wedding is necessary anymore. I wouldn’t want you to be exhausted.”
Bergen felt Vanessie was being ungrateful. After all, he was now a well–known figure.
“Say that again,” he demanded, his voice laced with anger.
Vanessie looked into his eyes.
“Our wedding doesn’t need to happen I don’t want you overextending yourself,”
She turned to leave, but Bergen grabbed her arm, his fury unmistakable.
“I work so hard for our company, for our future! Do you want our child to start life at a disadvantage?”
“I just got back from a business trip, and instead of any concern from you, I get this tantrum. Since when did you become so unreasonable?”
Vanessie stared at him steadily, listening to his baseless accusations with nothing but cold amusement.
The man standing before her felt like a stranger, as if she’d never truly known him at all.
His words were full of lies, just like most cheating men who shift all the blame onto their partners.
It was as if his betrayal had been some forced decision, as if she’d held a knife to force him to sleep with another woman.
The wedding was still two months away. Her sister had given her one month to settle things here.
A month later, she would make Bergen completely disappear from her world.
Without another word, she turned and went upstairs to their bedroom, beading straight for the bathroom to wash up
Bergen followed close behind, wrapping his arms around her from behind in a show of contrition
“It’s all my fault, Nessie,” he murmured, adopting a softer tone. “I’ve been too caught up in work lately, neglecting how you feel I’ll cancel all my engagements for the next few days and come straight home to be with you, okay?”
Vanessie raised her eyes to meet his reflection in the mirror, this man now whispering sweet apologies. The corners of her lips curled into a derisive smile.
“Why bother?L
Her words were cut off by the ringing of Bergen’s ringtone, a sweet, romantic love song that had recently become popular.
Vanessie remembered that his ringtone used to be the default mechanical tone. Back when they were deeply in love and just starting their company, she had wanted them to use a romantic duet as their ringtone together. But he had refused, claiming it would look unprofessional when meeting dients.
So it wasn’t about professionalism after all. She simply hadn’t been worth changing it for.
Bergen glanced at his phone and immediately declined the call. “Telemarketer.”
Vanessie pressed her lips into a thin line. She had clearly seen the caller ID: *181st Second.” She simply responded with an “Oh” and didn’t press further.
The phone rang again. He declined. It rang once more. Finally, he turned away to answer,
‘I’ve got several imponant projects at the company right now. I’m very busy and need your to be understanding. I’ll be working late tonight and will come back tomorrow morning to take you to try on wedding dresses, Don’t wait up. Good night.”
Vanessie didn’t even cast him a glance, continuing to brush her teeth as she watched through the mirror as he left the bathroom and exited their
The moment he was gone, she took out her phone and searched for the meaning of ‘181st Second“.
Among the many responses, one explanation stood out prominently: “People’s passions usually last just three minutes, but you’re my 181st
Vanessie’s heart ached with an inexplicable pain as she opened a real estate app and listed their current villa for sale.
In one month, she would return to Washington, DC. The fixed assets in Leavenworth meant nothing to her anymore.
