Bianca
"Is this what forever is supposed to feel like? Standing alone in a jewelry store, picking out my own damn wedding ring?"
I let out a small, dry laugh, staring at the rings in the glass case. This was supposed to be a special moment—something Jeremy and I should be doing together. But here I was, alone, making yet another decision for our wedding without him.
I checked my phone again. No calls. No messages.
Last night, he said, "I'm swamped at work, love. We'll go together tomorrow, I promise." That promise clearly meant nothing because not only was he not here, but he also wasn't picking up my calls.
"Miss, have you decided?" the jeweler asked, giving me a polite smile.
I sighed and pointed at a sleek platinum band with tiny diamonds. "This one."
She nodded and then carefully placed it in a small velvet box. I took it, held it tightly in my hand, and stepped out of the store, a small smile creeping onto my lips.
Jeremh was probably just stressed with work, and tomorrow, when we finally stood at the altar, all of this would just be a silly memory.
I slid into the cab and gave the driver Jeremy's office address. I needed to show him our new wedding ring, which I had just picked. I flipped open the ring box, admiring the way the tiny diamonds sparkled.
"This is nice," I murmured to myself, giggling. "I bet he'll love it."
I imagined walking into his office, pretending to be mad, then dramatically opening the box like some grand proposal. "Ta-da! Look what you made me pick out alone, you terrible fiancé!" He'd laugh, pull me into his arms, kiss my forehead, and promise to make it up to me.
I grinned at the thought.
Maybe I'd guilt-trip him into a surprise honeymoon location. Maybe Paris. Or Finland.
I let out a happy sigh and leaned back against the seat, tapping my fingers against my lap. The excitement was slowly creeping back in. I made it to his office in record time, bursting through the reception area and opening my mouth to call for Jeremy, but stopping dead in my tracks.
As I was about to walk inside his office, my stomach churned when I heard the unmistakable sound of moaning, accompanied by a steady thump thump thump as the chair collided with the wall. Worse than realizing that Jeremy was clearly in there with another woman was realizing who he was with.
I moved closer to see through the door that was left ajar. I knew that handbag, and I knew those shoes—they belonged to… Ella. Ella, my fellow supermodel and biggest rival.
I stood frozen in place, my fingers tightening around the ring box as my heart pounded fastly in my chest. I couldn't believe it, i refused to. The sounds coming from inside Jeremy's office made me sick, but what made it worse was hearing her voice.
Ella. My rival. The one woman I couldn't stand.
"Fuck! Are you and Bianca really getting married tomorrow?" she asked between breathless moans, without a hint of guilt in her tone—only amusement.
I felt my stomach drop.
Jeremy groaned in response, his voice was low but clear enough. "You know it's just for show. After a while, I'll file for a divorce, and by that time, I will have access to her family's wealth."
My breath caught in my throat. My body felt cold, like someone had dumped ice water over me.
Just for show? File for divorce? Access to my family's wealth?
I stared at the slightly open door, my mind refusing to believe what I had just heard.
Ella laughed softly. "So that's the plan? Marry her, wait a while, and then take what you need?"
Jeremy let out a lazy chuckle. "She's too blinded by love to see it coming. She trusts me completely. Once everything is in place, I'll walk away with more than just money."
I felt like I was going to be sick.
My fingers trembled around the ring box, but I held onto it like it was the only thing keeping me upright. The excitement I had felt just minutes ago had been crushed.
A part of me wanted to storm in, to scream, to throw the ring in his face and ask why? But another part—stronger, calmer—told me to wait.
To be smart about this.
I took out my phone and started recording this disgusting act. This was evidence, and I was going to make sure Jeremy regretted ever thinking he could play me.
With shaking hands, I hit the record button, capturing every disgusting word, every groan, every filthy promise he made to Ella. My heart was breaking, but my mind was already working.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing myself to stay quiet, to stay hidden. Storming in there now, letting my emotions take over, would give them the power. But if I played my cards right? I could destroy him.
I slipped my phone back into my bag, took a deep breath, and walked out of the building as calmly as I could.
I hailed a cab, sliding into the back seat with a strange sense of calm washing over me.
The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "Where to, ma'am?"
I took a deep breath and forced my voice to stay steady. "Just drive for a bit. I'll tell you where to stop."
He just nodded and pulled onto the road.
My mind kept replaying everything I had just heard. Just for show. File for divorce. Take what I need.
I wanted to cry. To scream. To throw the damn ring out the window. But I didn't.
I had a wedding to attend tomorrow. I had to get married.
Not because I wanted to. Not because I still loved Jeremy but because I didn't. Because if I didn't go through with it, my family would never let me hear the end of it. The gossip, the pity, the shame—I couldn't deal with that.
But I would not marry Jeremy.
Somehow, some way, I was going to find another man to take his place.