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461words2026-01-26 09:11

My boyfriend adored me.We got together in April,and to commemorate it,he used"April"as the username for all his socikal media accounts.Even our adopted dog was named April.
On our fourth anniversary,he proposed to me.But before the wedding,I met his ex-girlfriend,who'd just returned from abroad.
She introduced herself as April Sterling.April.

All along,I'd been nothing but a stand-in...
I sobbed,saying I'd leave,but inside,I was actually thinking:Thank God,April,you're back!I've made enough money.If you hadn't shown up,would I really have to end up marrying him?
...
Today was my bridal shower/his bachelor party.I nestled in Ethan Caldwell's arms,eyeing the uninvited guest who raised her glass with poise:
"Everyone,I just flew back from abroad yesterday to attend Ethan's wedding.I know it's been four years,but we grew up together since childhood,so I guess no one will mind,right?"
The awkward glances and sudden chill in the room told me she wasn't just anyone.But Ethan's best friend,Jake Harper,broke the tension:

"You're finally back!Sit,eat—Ethan's fiancée is right here!"
She obediently took the seat furthest away from us,but I caught the tears in her eyes as she glanced at Ethan.A woman's instinct kicked in,and I started watching her closely.
"When's Ethan's wedding?"
Her casual question silenced the room.Guests busied themselves with food and drinks, not daring to answer.Finally,Ethan answered himself:

"Three days from now."
He turned and kissed the corner of my lips,seeming unfazed and calm,which eased my nerves.She let out a loud,abrupt laugh,tears spilling from her eyes.Standing,she poured herself a drink:
"Ethan Caldwell,I wish you guys a happy marriage,a century of bliss,many kids,and love til eternity..."
With each toast she gulped down a full glass of wine.She drank fiercely,ignoring friends who tried to stop her.Ethan kept his arm around me,but his grip tightened painfully,nearly making me gasp.As she drank more,his face darkened.
Yet he didn't move an inch.
In her white dress,her frail frame swayed,her initial grace gone.Sobbing,tears streaming down non-stop,she looked very much pitiful:
"Ethan,you're getting married,but I'm not the bride."
The air froze.As she collapsed,Jake caught her,his voice panicked:
"Chloe,she's drunk and talking nonsense!Don't take it seriously.You guys keep going and havefun—I'll take her home!"
Watching her leave,I asked Ethan tentatively:
"Ethan,what's her name?She looks a bit like me."
Yes,we shared a faint resemblance,enough to spark fear in those brief minutes.The expression on my fiance’s face changed visibly.
Ethan,the genius who'd risen to take control of the Caldwell empire in merely a few years,was a master at hiding emotions.But his earlier scowl and the bruising grip were a rare lapse.
His gaze turned chilling,as if I'd crossed a line by asking.After a pause,he snapped back:
"Someone I used to know.Her name doesn’t matter."
The party wasn't over yet,but Ethan claimed that something about work showed up and left.
Watching his hasty exit,I sank into thought,a vague panic rising.