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In the Arms of Another
In the Arms of Another
Author: Against the Flow

Chapter 1

Author: Against the Flow
I had barely set my phone aside when Ross Jenner called.

"Jennifer, are you done throwing your tantrum? We invited you and Diana to Fellaton with good intentions. You're late, and I'll let that slide, but why did you leave that comment on my Twitter? My siblings came all the way from Bulgoria to welcome you, and Laurel even prepared a home-cooked meal for you even though she's sick."

I listened to his angry words in silence, my heart completely dead at that moment as I looked at my mother's body.

When he finished speaking, I calmly responded, "It's not appropriate for us to spend Valentine's Day together. You two go ahead and enjoy the meal."

"What did you say?" Ross's voice immediately rose in anger. "The reason I invited you here was to discuss our marriage. If you're going to act like this, forget about the wedding."

"Fine, as you wish." I agreed without hesitation. "Let's break up."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

Ross and I had met at work in Ameesia. We had encountered all kinds of problems a couple would in our five years of dating, but we had never mentioned breaking up.

Ross seemed unable to comprehend what I had just said. After a pause, he asked, "Do you even know what you're saying?"

I softly replied, "I do."

Just then, Laurel Elledge's voice came through the phone.

"Ross, can you help me find some painkillers? I think I might have a fever."

Ross immediately became worried and hung up. Before doing so, he said one last thing to me.

"Jennifer, you initiated this. I hope you don't regret this in the end."

Staring at the phone as the call ended, I silently put it away.

I handled all the necessary arrangements by myself, bringing my mother's body back home for her funeral.

For the next couple of weeks, Ross didn't reach out once. It was as if he had completely vanished from my life.

I occasionally checked Twitter, but Ross hadn't posted a single update. Meanwhile, Laurel was posting almost every day.

Petra Tower, Renaissance Hall, Imperial Galleria...

In every photo, Ross and Laurel were touring all of Fellaton's famous landmarks together.

The comments under their photos were full of enthusiasm.

[Finally, Ross and his dream girl are together.]

[Wow, Laurel, you and Ross are so perfect for each other.]

[I can't wait for the wedding! I'll be your best man!]

I recognized many names in those comments—people who were once friends of both Ross and me.

If this had been before, I would have felt hurt, angry, and probably fought with Ross. But now, nothing stirred inside me.

On a quiet weekend, I stayed home alone, snacking on chips and watching TV.

In the evening, Ross suddenly appeared.

I glanced up at him briefly but didn't speak. Instead, I redirected my focus to the TV.

He walked over, towering over me, and said casually, "What's wrong? Haven't heard from you in a while. Are you mad at me? I haven't seen you in so long. I really want to hug you."

He spoke in that familiar sweet tone, bending toward me.

I smelled the woman's fragrance on him and instinctively recoiled in disgust, turning my body away.

Ross froze mid-motion.

In the past, whenever we fought, his gentle embrace always managed to calm me no matter how angry I was.

Ross straightened up, frowning deeply.

"What's your problem now?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I stood up and moved to the nearby couch, putting some space between us.

His expression soured further, as he impatiently tried to explain.

"I shouldn't have let you and Diana take a cab that day. I admit I was wrong about that. But Laurel was sick. Would you rather I left her, a sick person, just to pick you up? My family did everything to welcome you, but you didn't show up. Do you know how much that hurt my family? I did everything I could to explain to them, or else my parents would never approve of our marriage."

He pulled out an envelope from his bag.

"Inside, there's the wedding ring my parents prepared for us, along with the honeymoon fund. They want us to get married in a month. Please take care of the wedding arrangements. I'll call Diana shortly. She'll be thrilled."

I took the envelope from him and placed it aside, not interested in looking at it.

"Ross, we've broken up. And from now on, don't call my mother. She won't be answering your calls."

Related chapters

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 2

    Ross paused as he picked up his phone, visibly irritated. "I'm going to tell Diana about your attitude right now. She's been so good to me, and you have no right to stop me from calling her."I shot him a look, my breath sharp with hurt. We had been together for five years, and my mother had always treated him like one of her own, even better than she treated me. Every time I brought him home, she would personally cook for him. Once, when he fell ill from the local climate, my mother stayed up all night, taking care of him without a second thought. Over those five years, I could see how much my mother truly cared for him. So, when Ross's family invited us to Fellaton, my mother agreed without hesitation. Before we left for the trip, she had even started preparing days in advance, doing her hair and buying expensive gifts for his family, all to make a good impression. That day, she wore the pocket watch my father had given her years ago. At that moment, my mother wasn't just repr

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 3

    After Ross left that day, we didn't see each other again. He didn't return home, nor did he go to work.I didn't care where he was; it no longer mattered to me.A week later, my assistant called, saying the company needed me to present a project report to the shareholders. Since I was the project leader, my presence was required. I had already made up my mind to leave Ross for good, and I didn't want to be involved with company matters anymore. But hearing the assistant's slightly pleading tone, I remembered how hard my team and I had worked on this project for months. I couldn't just abandon it at the last minute."Okay, I'll be there on time," I finally said, reluctantly agreeing.Five years ago, after graduation, I had received job offers from other companies. But Ross's startup was facing a huge crisis, so I gave up those opportunities and decided to help him. I threw myself into the company and worked tirelessly alongside him.In the years since, I had put everything into t

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 4

    "You did an excellent job."The moment Laurel appeared, Ross's gaze was glued to her. The two of them were so engrossed in their own little world while exchanging playful, intimate remarks, oblivious to the crowd. Laurel shot me a challenging glance, her eyes practically daring me to react. She was marking her territory, showing off her supposed victory. But I wasn't interested in competing for a man's attention. My value had never been about pleasing men. Laurel's little display of dominance felt more like a childish tantrum to me. I wouldn't let such petty behavior get to me. I never did before, and I surely wouldn't now.Ross was too busy talking to the shareholders with Laurel at his side, both of them the center of attention. Laurel stayed close, making it look like they were a pair. Watching it all with cold detachment, I finished my drink before quietly slipping out of the staged event. I took advantage of the moment and gathered all my personal belongings fr

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 5

    "She said she's let you, the boss, and the company down! You should see her performance—it's Oscar-worthy."Listening to my assistant, I finally understood. The reason Ross left wasn't that he had decided to stop wasting his time on me. No, there was something else, someone else in the company who had his full attention, someone he needed to comfort.After hanging up with my assistant, I grabbed my luggage and headed out the door. At that moment, my assistant sent me another video. In it, a tearful Laurel was holding a paper cutter to her neck while Ross, flushed with panic, begged her to put the blade down.Watching their drama unfold on screen, I couldn't help but feel a wave of disgust. Their childish, melodramatic behavior was unbearable.My phone rang—Ross was calling. I answered, and the chaos on the other end hit me immediately."Jennifer, you need to come to the company. Just forgive Laurel and delete your Twitter post, and this whole thing will blow over."I asked with

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 6

    The day of the wedding arrived, but inside the church, there was only Ross, the groom, and a few of his guests. At this moment, Ross completely panicked. He dialed my number, but it went straight to voicemail. "What's going on with Jennifer? Why isn't she here?" What was supposed to be a wedding had turned into a farce. Laurel watched the scene unfold with a smug grin. "Ross, I don't think Jennifer cares about this wedding at all. A woman like that… she might not even love you. You shouldn't get all worked up because of her. There are so many guests outside. Why don't I step in as the bride? We can just get this ceremony over with," Laurel suggested with a devious smile, hoping to take my place. "Do you think something happened to Jennifer?" Ross was in panic mode. He didn't even hear Laurel's words as he rushed out of the church, leaving a group of guests exchanging confused glances. Laurel gritted her teeth and followed behind. When they got to the house, it w

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 7

    “Get away from me!” Ross shoved her away in a fit of anger. The force of it left Laurel stunned. He had never treated her this way. “Ross, what’s going on?” In the next moment, Laurel's eyes caught sight of the other documents in the envelope. The most striking part was the photos of her with various men. There were also medical reports and chat logs where she had conspired with her business partners. Laurel’s mind went blank after she saw all this. “Laurel!” Ross gripped the papers tightly, fury burning in his eyes as he glared at her. “Get out! Don’t you ever show your face to me again!” As he looked at the documents in his hands, the weight of everything—his actions over the past month—hit him like a ton of bricks. As a boyfriend, a fiancé, he had failed me at my most vulnerable. He wasn’t just absent during my toughest times—he was the very one who had caused this entire mess. The realization settled in and suffocated him, making it hard to breat

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 8

    There was another man beside me now. Ross stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at me. His voice shook as he asked, "This is...?" "I'm Jennifer's husband. And you are?" Douglas Hubbert, my husband, shot Ross a look of irritation, already bracing himself to throw a punch if necessary. "Y-you're married?!" Ross couldn't believe it. I almost didn't want to answer him, but then I realized that all of that—everything that had happened—had long faded into the past, like dust blown away by the wind. I nodded. "Yeah, I'm married. I'm happy now." Hearing that, Ross lowered his head, looking completely lost. "Jennifer, I've been searching for you all these years. I want to apologize for everything, for what happened with Diana—" Before he could go on, I cut him off. My mother had been gone for five years. I had been in pain, and I had hated Ross, Laurel, and even myself. But the past was the past. I needed to keep going, no mat

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 9

    Ross was a persistent man. When I saw him again in Fellaton, I was surprised, but deep down, I knew he would come looking for me again. Douglas and I planned to head back to Crannellie. After finishing our global travels, we had decided to settle there. But nobody expected that the night before we were supposed to return, we would encounter a thief at the hotel. Our phones and passports were stolen, and we were forced to stay in Fellaton for a few more days.One day, while Douglas was asleep, I decided to step out and take a walk around the hotel. As soon as I walked out, I ran into Ross.He stood there, looking cautious as he held a bouquet of tulips and a box of pastries in his hands."Jennifer, these are your favorite flowers. I got them for you," he said, offering the tulips. "And I remember you said you liked my brownies, so I made some for you. Try them."I took the flowers, feeling a bit helpless. "Ross, why are you here? What do you want from me? Thank you for the flowe

Latest chapter

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 10

    The police and ambulance arrived quickly, then Ross and Laurel were rushed to the hospital.Their injuries were severe.Douglas and I stayed at the hospital until Ross's surgery was over and the doctors assured us he was out of danger. Only then did we leave for the hotel.Before we left Fellaton, Douglas went to visit Ross on my behalf. When he returned, he handed me a ring."He said this was your parting gift," Douglas said, looking at the ring with a hint of distaste. "But honestly, it just feels wrong. Can I throw it away?"The ring had been our symbol of commitment years ago, but now, looking at it, I felt nothing. I opened the window, took the ring in my hand, and tossed it out without a second thought. Then I lay down on the bed beside Douglas, exhausted.We left Fellaton and headed to Ameesia.I shared the photos from all the countries I'd visited over the years with my mother, hoping that in some way, in that other world, she could feel the joy we shared.Douglas and I

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 9

    Ross was a persistent man. When I saw him again in Fellaton, I was surprised, but deep down, I knew he would come looking for me again. Douglas and I planned to head back to Crannellie. After finishing our global travels, we had decided to settle there. But nobody expected that the night before we were supposed to return, we would encounter a thief at the hotel. Our phones and passports were stolen, and we were forced to stay in Fellaton for a few more days.One day, while Douglas was asleep, I decided to step out and take a walk around the hotel. As soon as I walked out, I ran into Ross.He stood there, looking cautious as he held a bouquet of tulips and a box of pastries in his hands."Jennifer, these are your favorite flowers. I got them for you," he said, offering the tulips. "And I remember you said you liked my brownies, so I made some for you. Try them."I took the flowers, feeling a bit helpless. "Ross, why are you here? What do you want from me? Thank you for the flowe

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 8

    There was another man beside me now. Ross stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at me. His voice shook as he asked, "This is...?" "I'm Jennifer's husband. And you are?" Douglas Hubbert, my husband, shot Ross a look of irritation, already bracing himself to throw a punch if necessary. "Y-you're married?!" Ross couldn't believe it. I almost didn't want to answer him, but then I realized that all of that—everything that had happened—had long faded into the past, like dust blown away by the wind. I nodded. "Yeah, I'm married. I'm happy now." Hearing that, Ross lowered his head, looking completely lost. "Jennifer, I've been searching for you all these years. I want to apologize for everything, for what happened with Diana—" Before he could go on, I cut him off. My mother had been gone for five years. I had been in pain, and I had hated Ross, Laurel, and even myself. But the past was the past. I needed to keep going, no mat

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 7

    “Get away from me!” Ross shoved her away in a fit of anger. The force of it left Laurel stunned. He had never treated her this way. “Ross, what’s going on?” In the next moment, Laurel's eyes caught sight of the other documents in the envelope. The most striking part was the photos of her with various men. There were also medical reports and chat logs where she had conspired with her business partners. Laurel’s mind went blank after she saw all this. “Laurel!” Ross gripped the papers tightly, fury burning in his eyes as he glared at her. “Get out! Don’t you ever show your face to me again!” As he looked at the documents in his hands, the weight of everything—his actions over the past month—hit him like a ton of bricks. As a boyfriend, a fiancé, he had failed me at my most vulnerable. He wasn’t just absent during my toughest times—he was the very one who had caused this entire mess. The realization settled in and suffocated him, making it hard to breat

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 6

    The day of the wedding arrived, but inside the church, there was only Ross, the groom, and a few of his guests. At this moment, Ross completely panicked. He dialed my number, but it went straight to voicemail. "What's going on with Jennifer? Why isn't she here?" What was supposed to be a wedding had turned into a farce. Laurel watched the scene unfold with a smug grin. "Ross, I don't think Jennifer cares about this wedding at all. A woman like that… she might not even love you. You shouldn't get all worked up because of her. There are so many guests outside. Why don't I step in as the bride? We can just get this ceremony over with," Laurel suggested with a devious smile, hoping to take my place. "Do you think something happened to Jennifer?" Ross was in panic mode. He didn't even hear Laurel's words as he rushed out of the church, leaving a group of guests exchanging confused glances. Laurel gritted her teeth and followed behind. When they got to the house, it w

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 5

    "She said she's let you, the boss, and the company down! You should see her performance—it's Oscar-worthy."Listening to my assistant, I finally understood. The reason Ross left wasn't that he had decided to stop wasting his time on me. No, there was something else, someone else in the company who had his full attention, someone he needed to comfort.After hanging up with my assistant, I grabbed my luggage and headed out the door. At that moment, my assistant sent me another video. In it, a tearful Laurel was holding a paper cutter to her neck while Ross, flushed with panic, begged her to put the blade down.Watching their drama unfold on screen, I couldn't help but feel a wave of disgust. Their childish, melodramatic behavior was unbearable.My phone rang—Ross was calling. I answered, and the chaos on the other end hit me immediately."Jennifer, you need to come to the company. Just forgive Laurel and delete your Twitter post, and this whole thing will blow over."I asked with

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 4

    "You did an excellent job."The moment Laurel appeared, Ross's gaze was glued to her. The two of them were so engrossed in their own little world while exchanging playful, intimate remarks, oblivious to the crowd. Laurel shot me a challenging glance, her eyes practically daring me to react. She was marking her territory, showing off her supposed victory. But I wasn't interested in competing for a man's attention. My value had never been about pleasing men. Laurel's little display of dominance felt more like a childish tantrum to me. I wouldn't let such petty behavior get to me. I never did before, and I surely wouldn't now.Ross was too busy talking to the shareholders with Laurel at his side, both of them the center of attention. Laurel stayed close, making it look like they were a pair. Watching it all with cold detachment, I finished my drink before quietly slipping out of the staged event. I took advantage of the moment and gathered all my personal belongings fr

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 3

    After Ross left that day, we didn't see each other again. He didn't return home, nor did he go to work.I didn't care where he was; it no longer mattered to me.A week later, my assistant called, saying the company needed me to present a project report to the shareholders. Since I was the project leader, my presence was required. I had already made up my mind to leave Ross for good, and I didn't want to be involved with company matters anymore. But hearing the assistant's slightly pleading tone, I remembered how hard my team and I had worked on this project for months. I couldn't just abandon it at the last minute."Okay, I'll be there on time," I finally said, reluctantly agreeing.Five years ago, after graduation, I had received job offers from other companies. But Ross's startup was facing a huge crisis, so I gave up those opportunities and decided to help him. I threw myself into the company and worked tirelessly alongside him.In the years since, I had put everything into t

  • In the Arms of Another   Chapter 2

    Ross paused as he picked up his phone, visibly irritated. "I'm going to tell Diana about your attitude right now. She's been so good to me, and you have no right to stop me from calling her."I shot him a look, my breath sharp with hurt. We had been together for five years, and my mother had always treated him like one of her own, even better than she treated me. Every time I brought him home, she would personally cook for him. Once, when he fell ill from the local climate, my mother stayed up all night, taking care of him without a second thought. Over those five years, I could see how much my mother truly cared for him. So, when Ross's family invited us to Fellaton, my mother agreed without hesitation. Before we left for the trip, she had even started preparing days in advance, doing her hair and buying expensive gifts for his family, all to make a good impression. That day, she wore the pocket watch my father had given her years ago. At that moment, my mother wasn't just repr

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