Chapter 1My Fiancé Left Me Alone When His First Love Slit Her Wrists

On the day of our engagement party, my fiancé’s beloved first love slit her wrists.

He told me a life was on the line and that I needed to grow up and understand.

Oh, I was very understanding.

The guests had already arrived, and I wasn't about to let a perfectly good venue go to waste.

So, I swapped the groom right then and there.

Why stop at an engagement? Let’s just go all the way.

* * *

Draped in an exquisite lace gown, I sat in the bridal suite, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Instead of the coordinator coming to lead me down the aisle, the door flew open to reveal my best friend, Tess, her face pale with fury.

"What's wrong?"

My chest tightened as a cold wave of dread washed over me.

Tess stared at me, silent for a long moment, before her teeth clenched.

"I told you to dump George months ago. You wouldn't listen. Now, right before the biggest moment of your life, he’s about to run off to his precious little ex."

The room went dead silent for a count of five.

"Ann?" I asked.

"Who else?"

Tess let out a harsh, bitter laugh, her eyes darting to the door where my fiancé, George, had just appeared.

"Look at the great romantic. His fiancée is waiting in her gown, but his heart takes flight the second his ex sheds a few tears over the phone."

George flinched at the sarcasm, his expression darkening.

"Ann slit her wrists," he said, his voice tense. "The situation is critical. I need to be there."

"Be there? For what?" Tess mocked, stepping in front of me. "You aren't her family, and you aren't her boyfriend. Why on earth is it your job to save her?"

She squeezed my hand gently, turning her glare back to him.

"You're still obsessed with her. Trying to get engaged to one woman while rushing off to hold the hand of another. Quite the gentleman, aren't you, Mr. Vance?"

George ignored her, focusing his pleading eyes entirely on me.

"Audie, I know today is our day. If it weren't an emergency, I swear I wouldn't leave. But a human life is at stake. I need you to be reasonable."

I looked at the man I had been dating for the last six months. Slowly, the tension left my shoulders, and a quiet smile touched my lips.

"Alright. I'm reasonable. Go ahead."

"Audrey!" Tess gasped, spinning around to look at me in absolute disbelief. "You're letting your groom walk out on your own engagement to comfort another woman? Do you want to be the laughingstock of the city for the rest of your life?"

I stood up, wrapping my arm around Tess's shoulders and gently pinching her cheek to keep her from saying another word.

"Go on, George," I said, my voice sweet and calm. "Hurry up. If you're too late, her scratches might actually heal on their own."

George hesitated, sensing something off in my tone, but his desperation won. Without another word, he turned and ran down the corridor.

Tess broke free from my grip, her eyes wide with rage. Just as she opened her mouth to scream at me, I smiled.

"The party is still happening today."

"With what groom?" Tess threw her hands in the air. "The man just ran out. Who are you going to stand there with? A ghost?"

I raised a finger, shaking it gently with a mysterious grin.

"Who said the groom has to be George?"

Leaving Tess completely bewildered, I smoothed down my dress, stepped into my heels, and walked toward the grand double doors of the ballroom.

If the groom wanted to bail, I didn't mind finding a better one.