All Chapters of Once Upon a Marriage : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Eloise The next morning, I sat at the head of the table, staring at the papers in front of me. They looked so big, all those words and numbers. Everything about the papers made my chest hurt. It was hard to breathe when I thought about it. It felt heavy, like I was carrying something way too big for me. I kept thinking I should be ready for this. But what did a 12-year-old even know about running a company? I didn’t know anything. I wasn’t ready. Mom's laughter still echoed in my memory. Even though she’d been gone for two years, I could still hear it if I closed my eyes tight enough. Dad always told me I looked just like her, but I didn’t feel like her. Mommy had been graceful, strong, and beautiful. I was just…me. After Mom's funeral, life became quieter. Except when Aunt Jadeline was around. She was loud and always angry about something—mostly at me. Today was one of those days. I was sitting on the stairs outside Dad’s office, swinging my legs and fiddling with the ribbon o

Jennifer The whispers started innocently enough—a fleeting comment in the cafeteria, a snide remark in the library. But I’d planted the seeds, and now they were blooming into a storm that would bring Eloise down a peg or two. I watched her walk through campus, smiling as though life had handed her a perfect script. She had it all: grades, confidence, and the admiration of everyone she met. People flocked to her like moths to a flame, and it made my skin crawl. But when I saw her with him—Professor Daniel Wright—it was the final straw. Eloise’s charm had somehow worked its way into his life too. She stayed after lectures, laughed at his jokes, and walked with him across the quad. She wasn’t just his favorite student; she was his confidante. And he was married. Married! Did she have no boundaries ? She must've lost her mind. I clenched my fists as I replayed the scene in my mind. I wasn’t going to sit back and let her bask in stolen glory while I struggled with my grades. No. This

Eloise Time has a strange way of smoothing over pain and sharpening clarity. Years had passed since the chaos of my childhood, and though the scars Jennifer and I left on each other still lingered, life moved on. I buried myself in my work, using it as an escape from the emotional wreckage. That’s why the invitation to the art exhibition felt like a much-needed escape. It was the perfect distraction—an opportunity to step away from the grind and immerse myself in the creativity of others. I could never have predicted that the night would change the course of my life. ………. The gallery buzzed with life, the clinking of glasses and soft murmur of conversation filling the air. I wandered through the exhibit, letting the vibrant colors and abstract designs wash over me. It wasn’t until I reached a particular painting, a breathtaking blend of blue and gold—that I felt a presence beside me. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” The voice was smooth, deep, and unmistakably familiar. I turned, my brea

Eloise The crisp December air stung my cheeks as I hurried into the bustling café, clutching a portfolio of sketches close to my chest. Inside, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the hum of conversations, but the warmth of the room did little to settle the knot in my stomach. My calendar was packed with meetings, pitches, and endless hours of designing. Starting a jewelry business sounded glamorous in theory, but the reality was grueling. Every conversation seemed to end in rejection or a polite, “We’ll think about it.” Every blank stare from potential investors felt like a personal failure. I slid into a corner seat, laying out my sketches and making a mental list of the tasks ahead. Securing funding, sourcing high-quality gemstones, and finding a manufacturer willing to work with a startup were proving to be monumental challenges. My phone buzzed with a text from Mike. Mike: “Did you eat lunch yet? Don’t skip meals just because you’re trying to conquer the world.” I

Eloise The questions were becoming too much. The press crowded closer, their microphones like weapons pointed at me, demanding answers I didn’t have. Jennifer’s voice rose above the cacophony, smooth and laced with fake sorrow. “All I’ve ever wanted was to support Eloise,” she said, her crocodile tears shedding uncontrollably “We’re sisters, after all. But how do you reconcile with someone who hates you for no reason? And now… this?” She gestured toward her designs—my designs like they were some divine gift she’d crafted from her soul. My chest tightened, I couldn’t breathe. A client who had been eagerly discussing a purchase earlier suddenly turned away, whispering to her companion. Their eyes darted toward me, judgment heavy in their expressions. It was Jennifer’s words, It was always her words. She knew how to wield them like a knife, slicing through my composure, my reputation. Tears burned my eyes, streaking down my face before I could stop them. No! Not in front of these