I woke up with swollen eyes and a pounding headache. The weight of last night’s betrayal pressed against my chest. I reached for my phone, fingers trembling, and called Jax. No answer. I tried again. Still nothing.

Maybe we could fix this. Maybe there was still something worth saving, and I was being reckless by calling my mother. I was torn. Maybe he could choose me if he learned that I knew the truth—maybe I was delusional to even think about this.

I exhaled sharply, wiping my face. Enough. I had already made my decision. And him not answering my call when I needed him only proved that I wasn’t his priority. I had noticed it before—how he would drop everything to run to Tania whenever she called, even when we were in the middle of something. I had told myself it was nothing. But now, I realized—it was everything.

I stopped calling him. I grabbed my coat and headed to the hospital. It was time to end this before I let him ruin me any further.

The hospital smelled of antiseptic. My steps were steady as I walked inside. I kept my head high, pushing forward.

Then I saw them. Tania. Jax. Together. Of course, that is why he wasn’t answering my calls.

Tania was clinging to his arm, her body angled toward him as if he were her entire world. He leaned in slightly, murmuring something that made her laugh softly. Her hand rested on her stomach, a subtle but possessive gesture.

Jax’s expression was warm, attentive—the way he used to look at me. But now, his focus was entirely on her.

My breath hitched.

As if sensing my presence, Tania turned first. Her eyes flicked to mine, and for a moment, something unreadable passed across her face. Then came the slow, practiced smile, the kind that carried just the right amount of concern laced with triumph.

Jax followed her gaze, his body tensing the moment he saw me. His expression flickered—shock, then something unreadable. Guilt? Annoyance? Whatever it was, he masked it quickly.

I felt frozen in place, as if the walls were closing in around me.

Tania was the first to speak. “Lorraine? What are you doing here? You should’ve called Jax if you weren’t feeling well.”

I kept my face blank. “He wasn’t answering.”

Jax finally looked at me. “Oh, my phone was dead. I would’ve come if I knew. What’s wrong, baby?”

I nodded, barely breathing. “It’s fine. I just came for some medicine.”

Jax gestured to Tania. “I was accompanying her for her prenatal checkup. It’s for my brother. Mom asked me to.”

I forced a smile. “Of course. Family first.”

“Let’s talk later,” he added, lowering his voice. But he didn’t let go of Tania. “I’ll make it up to you.”

I didn’t respond. Just turned away, pretending I hadn’t heard. As they disappeared into the doctor’s office, I stood frozen in place. Then, a voice from inside.

“The baby is perfectly healthy.”

Jax’s response was instant. “That’s a relief. I want to make sure everything is perfect for our baby.”

Our baby. It was his brother—but come to think of it, maybe it wasn’t his brother’s baby after all?

I walked out. That was it. The final straw. There was no way I’d let him break me over and over again.

An hour later, the procedure was over. The baby—gone. I felt a bit sad and guilty about my unborn child, but it was better. I cannot bring a child into this world where his father had betrayed me.

I wasn’t feeling well and still needed rest but I decided to just go home. I sat in the back of the taxi, staring at my reflection in the window. I felt hollow. Empty. But I had no tears left to cry. I only had plans to work.

By the time I reached my building, my mind was set on one thing—leaving. Ending this chapter of my life for good.

Then I saw him. Jax. Talking to a man in the shadows of the alley behind our building. The man looked familiar, and the way they spoke made my skin prickle.

I slipped behind a parked car, listening.

“Didn’t I tell you not to show your face to me?” Jax’s voice was sharp. “Haven’t I paid you enough?”

The man scoffed. “It’s not enough. If you don’t keep paying me, they’ll find out you orchestrated the accident that killed your brother.”

My breath caught. He had his brother killed?

Jax stiffened. “Keep your voice down.”

“Then keep the money coming.”

I stumbled back, heart racing. Jax. A liar. A user. A murderer. I couldn’t believe I had loved a man like him.

I pulled out my phone and dialed one of our staff, my voice barely a whisper. “I need you to investigate Jason’s accident. Get me everything you can.”

I stepped through the grand gates of our estate. Today, I was meeting the man I was going to marry.

Not Jax. Though, I hadn’t canceled our wedding. No, that would be too easy. I wanted him standing at the altar, waiting, humiliated in front of everyone, only to find out that I had already married someone else. A brutal ending for the man who had lied to me for years.

As I walked into the living room, I came to a sharp stop.

A tall man sat on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, his posture relaxed yet commanding. His sharp features were even more defined than I remembered, his piercing eyes scanning me with unreadable interest. Familiar.

Gavion Smith.

Jax’s childhood friend turned enemy. The man who had always stood toe-to-toe with him, challenging him in everything. The man I used to have a crush on before I made the worst mistake of my life—choosing Jax instead.

I inhaled sharply, my lips curving. Maybe this wasn’t a mistake after all.

My mother cleared her throat, pulling my attention back. “You’re here now. Finally.” She smiled at me. “Meet Gavion Smith. He was the one I’ve been wanting you to marry since. This marriage will benefit both families,” she said, her gaze steady. “But I won’t force you if you don’t want him. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

My happiness. How ironic. I had spent years believing I was happy with Jax, blinded by the illusion of love, only to be used. Now, I wasn’t searching for happiness—I was searching for justice.

I met Gavion’s gaze. “I’ll do it.”

His lips twitched slightly. “No hesitation?”

I shrugged, feigning indifference. “It’s good business.”

“And revenge?” he mused, leaning forward slightly. “Cause of what Jax had done?”

I didn’t flinch. He was sharp. He knew.

“If that’s what you want to call it.” I tilted my head. “Does that bother you?”

His eyes darkened, his amusement giving way to something more serious. “No,” he said after a pause. “I like a woman who knows what she wants.”

Something flickered between us—acknowledgment, understanding.

My mother sighed, almost in relief. “Then it’s settled.” She smiled, though there was something careful about it. “I just want you to be sure, Lorraine. If you want to back out—”

“I won’t,” I cut in. “I know what I’m doing, Mom. Love is not what I need. It’s revenge. Jax had betrayed me. He needs to feel my revenge.”

Gavion studied me, his gaze searching. Then, with a small smirk, he said, “This should be fun.”

I smiled back, but there was no warmth in it. “Oh, I’m counting on it.”

I told them my plan—the wedding, the humiliation, the final blow to Jax. They listened, saying nothing, then finally the conversation shifted toward wedding plans, logistics, and business. But then, one of our staff entered the room, handing me a folder.

I opened it, my breath catching as I scanned the documents.

Jax had erased evidence—footage of the accident. My stomach twisted as the truth unfolded in front of me. It wasn’t an accident. He had truly orchestrated it.

And worse? The child Tania carried wasn’t Jason’s. It was Jax’s. They had been together all along. A secret affair. A scandal.

I clenched my jaw, the paper crinkling under my tightening grip. They had been playing me this entire time.

A bitter laugh bubbled up in my throat. Tania—the innocent, grieving fiancée—was nothing but a liar. And Jax? A murderer.

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself. This was more than just betrayal. This was war.

I looked up, meeting Gavion’s gaze once more.

“Change of plans,” I murmured, sliding the folder toward him.

He glanced at the papers, his brows raising slightly before his expression hardened.

“Now, this is interesting.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

I smirked. “Let’s destroy him.”

Later that evening, I returned home. I walked in, pretending I knew nothing, playing my part.

Then I saw her. Tania. Standing in front of the mirror, twirling slightly, the lace of my wedding gown cascading around her.

Jax stood beside her, watching with a soft smile. Something inside me twisted. Not in heartbreak—no, I was far past that—but in pure, simmering rage.

Tania turned, startled to see me. Her face flushed with guilt before she quickly forced a smile. “Lorraine… I—I just wanted to try it on,” she said, her voice hesitant. “I never got the chance when Jason… passed.”

I tilted my head, my lips curving into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Go ahead. Try it.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, I almost laughed.

Then, with mock sweetness, I added, “If you want, you can even have Jax as your groom, too, because you seem like you want him all by yourself.”

The air shifted. Tania’s smile faltered, her face crumbling as tears welled in her eyes.

Jax immediately turned to me, his expression darkening. “Lorraine, what’s wrong with you?” His voice was sharp. “Tania is pregnant. She’s sensitive. You shouldn’t say things like that.”

I scoffed. “Oh, right. Because she’s pregnant.” I folded my arms, my gaze locked onto his. “You know what? Why don’t you just marry her instead? I mean, it sure seems like you two have been hiding something for a long time.”

Jax’s jaw clenched. His eyes flashed with anger. Without warning, his hand struck my face.

I walked out, the sting on my cheek barely registering. I didn’t care. I was done.

“Lorraine, wait!” Jax’s voice rang behind me, desperate. He caught up, grabbing my wrist, his grip tight. “Where do you think you’re going?”

I yanked my hand free, glaring at him. “Away from you.”

He scoffed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “You’re overreacting. You always do this, Lorraine. Always twisting things in your head.”

I let out a sharp laugh. “Twisting things? You slapped me, Jax.”

His jaw tightened. “I—I didn’t mean to. You just—God, you make me so frustrated sometimes. You say things without thinking, accusing me of things that aren’t true.”

I folded my arms. “Aren’t true? You think I don’t see the way you act with Tania? The way she looks at you? How she was wearing my gown today like some—” I let out a bitter breath. “Forget it.”

Jax let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re making this about something it’s not. Tania is Jason’s fiancée. I have a responsibility to take care of her. That’s all this is. She’s grieving.”

I met his gaze, unblinking. “You don’t treat her like a grieving fiancée. You treat her like—” I swallowed, shaking my head. “Like she’s yours.”

His lips parted, but he said nothing. His silence was answer enough.

I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me. “You know what? Maybe this is your fault.”

I froze. Slowly, I turned back to him. “What?”

His eyes darkened. “You’ve been distant. Cold. Always assuming the worst of me. It’s like you want to push me away.”

I clenched my fists. “I didn’t push you away, Jax. You did that all on your own.”

His expression flickered—anger, guilt, frustration. He shook his head. “I love you, Lorraine. I just… I just got caught up in the moment. I shouldn’t have hit you.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.”

He reached for me again, but I stepped back. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “Let’s just… forget this happened. Let’s fix this.”

I stared at him, my heart hammering. Then I exhaled and nodded. “Okay.”

Relief flooded his face. “Okay?”

“Yeah.” I gave him a small, empty smile. “Just leave me alone, Jax.”

The following days, Jax tried to make it up to me. Flowers. Messages. Apologies. Empty gestures.

But I knew better. Because behind my back? He was still with Tania. Whispering to her. Smiling at her. Touching her.

It didn’t matter. The wedding was today. And everything was set.

I sat before the mirror, perfectly poised as my makeup artist finished the final touch. My wedding dress was stunning, a masterpiece of elegance.

Jax knocked on the door, stepping in. “You look beautiful.”

I turned, offering him a small, unreadable smile. “Thanks.”

“I’ll head to the venue first,” he said, glancing behind him. Tania stood there, in a white dress. White. As if she were a bride, too.

I said nothing. Just nodded.

Jax hesitated. “I’ll see you soon.”

He left with Tania by his side. I exhaled, turning back to my reflection. Then, I stood up, gathered my dress, and walked out. Straight into the limousine.

Not to Jax’s wedding. To mine with Gavion.

Minutes later, my phone rang. Jax.

I ignored it. Another call. Then another.

I sat in the bridal suite then the knock on the door made my pulse steady. “It’s time.”

I stood, smoothing down my dress, and walked out with my head high. The venue was different from the one Jax thought I’d be at. This one was grand, elegant, filled with my people—people who had known what was coming and supported my decision. No one here belonged to Jax. He had no control over anything anymore.

As I reached the entrance, the soft music shifted.

Gavion stood at the end of the aisle, his black suit perfectly tailored, his expression unreadable but amused. He was enjoying this, knowing that Jax—his greatest rival—was about to lose in a way no one could recover from.

My phone buzzed again. Jax. I didn’t even glance at it. Instead, I met Gavion’s gaze and took my first step forward. By the time I reached the altar, my heart wasn’t racing. I was calm. Ready.

Gavion smirked slightly as he extended his hand. The officiant spoke, but I barely heard. My mind was elsewhere, picturing Jax realizing I was gone, the panic that must be setting in.

My phone vibrated again.

Jax. I ignored it.

The vows were said. The rings exchanged. The moment the officiant announced us as husband and wife, I let out a slow breath.

Then, without hesitation, I pulled out my phone.

Sent.

A single photo—Gavion and me, standing together, married.

The response was immediate. My phone rang again. Jax. I smirked, opening our messages instead.

I typed in French: You can’t fool me anymore. I know you married Tania in the civil registry. Feel free to marry her again—after all, you’re also the father of her child, right?

Then, for the final blow, I added: I also know what you did to your brother.

I blocked him.

And with that, I turned away, slipping my hand into my husband Gavion's arm.