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Chapter 14

Author: Nixanthy
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-22 02:21:09

The clinking of my fork against the porcelain plate was the only sound in the room. I couldn’t even taste the food anymore, not with the tension choking the air. Declan’s words hung between us, and the suffocating feeling caused me indigestion.

“Next week?”

I asked, staring at Declan like he’d lost his mind, because he has.

“I know it’s sudden,”

Declan said, his tone trying to sound casual but that trick isn't going to work on me.

“But it’s necessary. The situation changed.”

“Changed how?”

I demanded.

“We agreed on three months, not one. I just moved in, few hours ago, without even being told about it in advance! Now you want me to marry you next week? That’s insane!”

Ramona sighed loudly, giving me that look like I was a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum.

“Lyla, do stop being so dramatic. This is hardly unreasonable.”

“Hardly unreasonable?”

I repeated, my voice rising.

“I don’t even know him well enough to up and agree to this! You can’t just….”

“That's enough.”

Her
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    I stood outside the judge’s hall, feeling like a complete and utter idiot. I was ditched on my very own wedding day, stuck here alone in a wedding dress that felt like it was a prank. How did I end up like this? This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I was supposed to be getting married, getting my debts paid and fulfilling my own part of the contract. Not standing here looking like a fool. I bit back my tears, swallowing it whole. I wasn’t going to let anyone see me fall apart, especially not in public. People walked past me, some barely sparing a glance, while others openly stared with questions written all over their faces. A bride with no groom. A girl in a wedding dress, alone, abandoned, standing there like she was waiting for someone to come back for her. But no one would. There were never plans for anyone to begin with, I was just too dumb to know it. I had nothing—no money, no phone, no way to get home. The irony made my stomach twist, and the anxiety made my head spin. Bu

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