All Chapters of Replaced? No, I Moved On: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Day ten of my cold war with Barry Saun also happened to be our third dating anniversary.Then I saw it—his new post. Him and Lyla Bianca, tangled in a kiss, his eyes full of devotion.And just like that, the weight on my chest lifted.I quietly submitted my study abroad application.[Submission Successful.]My stomach twisted, emotions all over the place.Right then, my friend showed up with my custom cake. She pressed a hand to my forehead, relieved my fever was gone—until she spotted my application. Her eyes went wide."Barry finally agreed to go with you? I told you—he loves you! You guys are getting married?"I shook my head.Meeting her startled gaze, I calmly replied, "I only submitted my own. I'm going alone."She froze, staring at me like I'd grown a second head.Couldn't blame her. For three years, my whole world revolved around Barry. If he didn't want to do something, I wouldn't even consider it.My gaze dropped to the cake in her hands. After a beat, I took it.

Seeing this side of Barry—so unfamiliar, so cold—I suddenly thought back to three years ago.The first time we met, he was all nerves, blushing as he tugged at his shirt. "Hey, can I add you?"Our friends egged him on. My face burned too.Under Barry's relentless pursuit, I fell for that sweet, awkward boy.His family didn't have much, and my parents weren't thrilled. When Barry found out, he didn't get mad. He just held my hands, gentle as ever. "Mr. and Mrs. Abel just want the best for you. They're looking out for you. And honestly? I can't give you much right now."So he tried harder. Treated me like I was everything. Rain or shine, he brought me breakfast. Worked multiple jobs just to buy me handbags and jewelry.One night, we were walking past a dimly lit alley when a group of drunk thugs spotted me. Their eyes lit up.Barry's grip on me tightened. He tried to steer us away, but they blocked our path.One sneered. "They say couples stick together through thick and thin, bu

Barry's words crushed whatever was left of my hope.I yanked the plain band off my finger and hurled it at him.Tears spilled down my face, hot and unstoppable.Then I slapped him. Hard. "Barry, you bastard."Without another word, I turned and walked away.The night air bit at my skin, the chill snapping me out of my daze.Before I knew it, I was standing outside the apartment Barry and I once shared.A year into our relationship, I had moved out of the dorms to be with him.Barry was juggling an internship, and the campus curfew made it tough. I worried he'd burn himself out, so I moved in—to take care of him.Then three months ago, he told me he was moving back to the dorms. Said it was closer to the lab, that he didn't want to waste time commuting.Not wanting to be too far from him, I went back to campus too.With graduation keeping us both busy, neither of us had set foot in this place since.I should've just left.But something made me unlock the door.Inside, the a

I exhaled, exasperated. "Barry, do I need to spell it out for you? I'm married."He shook his head frantically, eyes desperate, like I was the one who'd betrayed him. The sheer audacity made frustration bubble up in my chest.I was done. Done with him, done with the drama. I grabbed Vernon's hand, ready to walk away.But Barry called out to me again. "Amelia, stop this. Come back with me, okay?"His eyes were bloodshot, his gaze shattered.Vernon's patience was clearly wearing thin. Without a word, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and tapped the screen.Then he turned it toward Barry.The lock screen lit up—our marriage certificate.Barry went even paler. "You loved me the most, didn't you? How could you marry someone else?"I looked away, unwilling to waste another second on him.But he still wouldn't quit. He lunged for my hand, and Vernon immediately stepped in, shielding me."Amelia, I've been waiting for you," Barry pleaded, his voice frantic. "Divorce

My eyes stung slightly at Vernon's words.Barry shot me one last sorrowful look before silently pulling Lyla away.Even as they left, I could still hear her whining.The crowd slowly dispersed.Vernon didn't say much. Instead, he took my hand and led me straight into a jewelry store.He picked out several dazzling diamond rings, carefully comparing them against my fingers.I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.Vernon huffed arrogantly. "That tiny little ring? He really had the nerve to bring that out?"I glanced at him. "You're not bothered by all this?""Bothered? Why would I be?" Vernon said matter-of-factly. "It just proves how remarkable you are—so much so that someone still can't forget you."His words warmed my heart.I suddenly thought about the soft copy of the marriage cert on his phone and chuckled. "Why do you even keep that on your phone?"Vernon answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Something that important? Gotta keep it—just like my ID