Chapter 1
Marcus stood in front of City Hall and glanced up at the giant clock. The minute hand had just passed ten, and there were only twenty minutes left before the gates closed.
He could not believe this was happening again.
This was the ninth time. Nine times he had arranged this, worn a clean shirt, and waited like an idiot. And for all nine times, Jessica—his fiancée—had never shown up for their wedding registration.
He looked down at his phone and stared at the fifty outgoing calls he had made to her. Jessica had not picked up a single one.
The air felt cold against his skin. He had thought this time would be different. She had apologized and sworn she would come. But she didn’t.
For the past year, this has been happening. She never showed up and always gave that annoying, painfully familiar excuse—that something had come up with Travis. Every single time.
He already knew this one wouldn’t be different. Travis would be the excuse again.
He called three more times. Still nothing. He glanced up just as he saw the gate being shut. It was over.
Marcus let out a heavy sigh. Before, Jessica would at least call and give an excuse. Now, she didn’t even bother.
He was about to leave when his phone buzzed. A text message. He checked it and saw it was from Travis.
Confused, he opened it. It was an image file. As soon as it loaded, he sucked in a sharp breath.
It was Jessica. The woman he was supposed to register with. The woman he planned to spend his life with.
She was lying on a bed with Travis. Her clothes were in disarray, her face flushed, resting against his chest. Travis’s arm was wrapped around her.
Beneath the image was a message.
Will you stop disturbing her? I’m enjoying her company here. She is busy.
Travis was the younger brother of her late best friend. Before her friend passed away, Jessica had promised to take good care of him, and so Marcus had always been the one sacrificed.
Every time Marcus was about to officially register the marriage, something always happened to Travis.
Every time, Jessica postponed everything to go to him, claiming he needed her help. So this was the help.
While he was here, waiting for her to seal their future, she was lying in bed with her late best friend’s younger brother.
In the past, Marcus would have exploded with rage. Now, he felt only exhaustion and despair. A quiet thought settled in his mind—maybe this was a sign they were never meant to be together.
He decided to break up with her.
He didn’t reply. He refused to give Travis the reaction he wanted. Instead, he slipped the phone into his pocket and made his way home.
As soon as he arrived, he began packing his belongings.
It shocked him how little he owned. Just a few clothes and a couple of pairs of shoes.
Over the years, he had given everything to the relationship, bending his life around Jessica because he loved her that much. Thinking back on it now, he realized how foolish he had been.
He finished quickly and zipped the bag shut. He looked around the house, filled with sweet memories from before Travis entered their lives.
Just as he reached for the door, his phone rang.
Jessica.
He stared at the screen and scoffed. “So, you can finally call p>
He answered, only to be met with Jessica’s shrill voice. “Marcus! Why are you like this? Why are you not at City Hall when we were supposed to register our marriage today p>
Marcus scoffed. “City Hall closed an hour ago p>
There was silence on the line.
Jessica was shocked and speechless. When she finally found her voice, she turned the blame on him. “Why didn’t you remind me, Marcus? You know how busy I am p>
Marcus couldn’t believe the guilt-tripping. “I called you,” he said simply.
“That’s not what I mean,” she snapped. “You know how distracted I’ve been. You should have tried harder p>
“I called you fifty times, Jessica. Fifty times. And you didn’t pick up once. Stop trying to blame me! ”
“You are being dramatic,” Jessica said. “Things came up. We will definitely do it next week p>
“Something came up?” Marcus replied. “Drop your lies already. I know you were with Travis. You always are p>
“Yes, I’m with Travis. And so what?” Jessica fired back. “He needed me, and I had to be there for him p>
“Oh, he needed you under his shoulder? Helping him massage his tight muscles p>
“That’s low, Marcus,” she shot back. “I can’t take those disgusting accusations. You always make something out of nothing. Stop overreacting p>
“He’s needed you nine times,” Marcus replied calmly. “Nine registrations you didn’t show up for. And I’m overreacting p>
“Look, I know why you are angry,” she said. “But it’s not a big deal. We will do it next time p>
“Next time?” Marcus chuckled bitterly. “When will I be standing around again waiting while you run off to Travis? Look, you should both just drop the act. Instead of missing every appointment because of him, why don’t you just marry him instead p>
“What the heck are you insinuating, Marcus?” Jessica snapped. “Travis is nothing but a younger brother to me. I’m seven years older than him. Why would you even say something like that p>
“Seven years older, but you don’t mind being on a bed with him, shirtless,” Marcus shot back.
Jessica exhaled sharply. “Come on, Marcus. I didn’t know you could be this horrible. You know Travis has no one else except me. You are narrow-minded. You lack generosity. And you have a dirty mind p>
Marcus scoffed. Travis had sent the picture. They were in bed. Disheveled. Jessica was obviously cheating, no matter how she tried to deny it. He didn’t want to stress himself any further.
“Jessica, I already know everything. Don’t pretend p>
“You are being cruel now, Marcus,” she said, her voice rising. “You never try to understand me. And you know what? Travis understands me. He supports me. He doesn’t always make me feel guilty. He’s a man worth having around p>
She added, “If you were half as understanding as him, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Can’t you just be like him p>
That was when Marcus lost it.
“Since you want a man like him, why don’t you just have him?” he said evenly. “I’m breaking up with you. I already packed my belongings. Enjoy your time with him p>
“What?” Jessica yelled.
“I’m done,” he repeated. “I won’t wait for a tenth time p>
“You can’t just decide that!” she screamed. “Why are you making this so serious p>
“I didn’t decide today,” Marcus said. “Today just confirmed it. Bye p>
With that, he hung up.
“Hello?” Jessica said into the phone. “Hello p>
She stared at the screen and realized he had ended the call. “No… no. I can’t accept this p>
She angrily smashed her phone onto the bed.
Beside her, Travis flinched, then swallowed. “Jessica… What have I done? Did I cause this between you and Marcus p>
She laughed bitterly. “No. Don’t start blaming yourself p>
“But he sounded angry,” Travis said, eyes downcast. “Does he hate me that much p>
Jessica nodded. “I don’t understand him. Breaking up over something this small p>
Travis put on a gentle expression. “It’s not a big deal. Couples fight. He will calm down p>
Jessica shook her head. “But what if he doesn’t and actually leaves me p>
Travis hesitated, then stated, “Maybe he’s just trying to scare you. To gain the upper hand, you have to show him who has the control p>
She glanced at him. “What do you mean p>
Travis continued, “After all, over the past few years, Marcus has been nothing but a useless live-in husband, living off your money. You have been doing everything while he enjoys himself. He’s nothing without you. I’m sure once you freeze all his credit cards, he will come crawling back p>
Jessica thought about it, then nodded in agreement.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.