Chapter 10
After six years of being in love, just when Jonah and I were discussing marriage, he suddenly told me to wait a little longer. His reason? He had to hold a grand wedding with his first love before he could marry me–because it was his first love’s dying mother’s final wish.
He couldn’t bear to let the elderly woman pass away with regret, so he tearfully made a promise by her hospital bed, swearing that he would give her daughter a home.
But he forgot that my mother had also been longing for my wedding for a long time.”
I stood there, stunned, my chest tightening with disbelief. “What about me?”
Jonah exhaled sharply, his brows knitting together in frustration. “Can’t you have a little empathy? It’s just a two–month delay–are you that desperate to get married?”
His words struck like a slap.
I swallowed hard and tried again, my voice quieter. “Jonah… my mother has a heart condition. She’s been waiting for this for years. She-”
Before I could finish, he took out his phone, his fingers moving swiftly. Right in front of me, he booked his marriage. registration appointment with Nadia.}
I felt the blood drain from my face.
He didn’t even hesitate.”
“Either way, Nadia will be the bride for this wedding. Your mother has to wait, even if she’s on her deathbed, for all I care.“M
I stared at him, barely recognizing the man in front of me. The same Jonah who had once held my hand and vowed to love me forever was now casting me aside like I was nothing more than a trivial inconvenience.M
As he turned on his heel and walked away, I felt something inside me snap. My fingers clenched around my phone as I dialed a familiar number.
“Ronan,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “I need a new groom for the wedding in ten days. Can you help me find one?“!
Silence. Then, my brother’s incredulous voice. “Arabelle, what the hell is going on? You’re replacing the groom? Marriage isn’t a joke! Mom will be devastated if she finds out!”
It was precisely because I knew my mother couldn’t handle the shock that I turned to my brother for help. For six years, Jonah had refused to meet my parents. So, even though my mother knew I had a boyfriend, she had never seen his face.W
“Ronan, I’m serious, I can’t marry him.””
I had no intention of committing bigamy.”
¡ expected my brother to lecture me, to tell me I was acting recklessly. Instead, after a beat of silence, he let out a heavy sigh.%
“I told you to be careful with him when he started seeing you behind my back. If you hadn’t been so damn crazy about him, I wouldn’t have even bothered acknowledging him.” His voice lowered, almost contemplative. “But honestly? This is probably for the best.“%
He hesitated, then added, “You know, before Mom and Dad even knew about you and Jonah, they already picked out someone for you. Remember that guy who always stared at you like he was hypnotized? Turns out, he’s been waiting for you to break up. Just the other day, he was joking about crashing your wedding if he thought Jonah wasn’t good enough…”
At his words, an old memory resurfaced–one I had buried long ago.”
Back then, my parents had indeed mentioned another suitor, but Jonah and I had already been secretly dating for two years.%
I was devoted to Jonah. How could I have even considered marrying a stranger?
I still remembered the way Jonah had reacted when I told him.!!
He was furious.
The moment I hung up the phone, he had pinned me against the wall, his kisses burning with possessiveness, as if he could erase the mere thought of another man.”
“Arabelle, you can only marry me–no one else!”
His voice had trembled, his eyes red with emotion. That night, he had held me so tightly, whispering over and over that I was his forever.
He had even finally admitted to my brother that he had been dating me, confessing that we had already made a lifelong commitment to each other
12:51 PM
“Arabelle, I’m really sorry! Please don’t misunderstand things between Jonah and me. That was truly just an accident! If it weren’t for my mother insisting on seeing a marriage certificate, I wouldn’t have asked Jonah for this favor. I beg you, please
don’t cause trouble at the wedding.“”
She even made a move to kneel before me.\
Before she could, Jonah–now looking perfectly composed–grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. His glare was ice–cold.”
“Arabelle, I’m warning you–don’t take this too far. If things spiral out of control, you won’t be able to fix it.“”
His voice was laced with authority, a command I was supposed to obey.
“From today until the wedding is over, you are to stay at home and behave yourself. I’ll arrange for a bodyguard to keep an eye on you.“”
Brake C
