His Fake Marriage, My Real Goodbye

On the night we were supposed to have our rehearsal dinner, I waited outside the restaurant until midnight. Ethan never showed up.

Instead, I saw a post from Chloe, his first love, on Instagram. It was a wedding photo. Her caption read: “Mr. Miller, thank you for stepping into my life.

Here's to forever.” In the photo, they both smiled with pure happiness.

I couldn't help but leave a comment underneath: “Are you kidding me?” A few minutes later, Ethan, who had been unreachable all night, finally called me. He didn't even apologize.

He just started yelling. “She and her daughter just got back to the country. They have no one else! They are completely helpless, Luna.

Do you really have to pick a fight right now?” “It's just a fake marriage. We only registered so her daughter can get citizenship and health insurance.

I’ll file for divorce as soon as the paperwork clears.

Isn't that enough for you?” Through the receiver, I heard a little girl’s sweet voice in the background. “Daddy Ethan, hug me!” Without another word, Ethan hung up.

This time, I didn't cry. I didn't make a scene. I calmly hid my positive pregnancy test in my drawer, called my parents, and told them the wedding was off.

If this love had reached its dead end, I was done compromising. I sent my parents back to their hotel and brought the untouched dinner back to my apartment.

Just as I walked through the door, Ethan returned. He flipped on the lights and gasped, seemingly startled by me sitting quietly in the dark dining room.

He frowned, his voice laced with annoyance. “What are you doing sitting there in the dark like a ghost?

Why didn't you turn on the lights?” During our five years of dating, whenever he came home late, I would always leave the hallway light on.

I would run to the door the moment he walked in, take his coat, and stand on my tiptoes to kiss him. But tonight, I did none of that. I just stared at the table full of cold food.

My heart was completely numb. My parents had flown in from their small town just for this dinner.

Fearing they would embarrass me in front of my wealthy boyfriend, my dad had even saved up to buy a designer suit. But Ethan never showed up.

All my calls had gone straight to voicemail. Before they left, my parents were blaming themselves, wondering if Ethan looked down on them because of our humble background.

And I had waited outside that restaurant like a fool, only to be screamed at over the phone. He made it sound so simple.

He said it was just a piece of paper, and that it wouldn't affect our actual wedding. But what about me? What did I mean to him?

Ethan walked over and sat beside me, pulling a bouquet of red roses from behind his back. “Stop being mad.

I bought these for you on my way home.” The heavy scent of pollen hit me instantly.

Without thinking, I slapped his arm away and stood up in a panic. “Get that away from me!” I accidentally knocked my chair over, and it crashed loudly against the floor.

Ethan’s face instantly darkened. “Luna, are you done throwing a tantrum? I told you, it's a marriage of convenience!

Once Lily's custody and insurance are sorted out, I’ll divorce Chloe. It changes nothing for us! Our wedding will go on as planned.” I covered my nose and mouth, too weak to argue.

I am severely allergic to pollen. In worstcase scenarios, I go into anaphylactic shock. Ethan had witnessed this before. Yet, he never cared enough to remember.

Red roses were Chloe’s favorite, not mine. Ignoring his endless lecturing, I forced myself to stand up, using the table for support.

As I tried to walk away, he grabbed my arm roughly. “Luna, what is with this attitude?” But as soon as the words left his mouth, he noticed the angry red hives spreading across my neck.

He froze, finally remembering my allergy. He panicked, bending down to scoop me up into his arms.

His tone turned urgent. “I’m taking you to the hospital.” I endured the agonizing itch on my skin and let him carry me down to the garage.

But as he held me close, I caught sight of a bright pink lipstick stain on his collar. A wave of nausea hit me. We reached the car, and Ethan helped me into the passenger seat.

The moment I looked up, I saw a pink sticker on the dashboard. “Reserved for Princess Chloe.” Next to it were two cartoon stickers of a couple kissing. Ethan followed my gaze.

He quickly reached over, ripped the stickers off, and threw them onto the child safety seat in the back. “It was just a joke.

Lily put them there, and I didn't want to upset the kid.” “It’s fine,” I said quietly, turning my head to look out the window.

The physical pain on my skin seemed to fade, replaced by a deep, hollow ache in my chest. Ethan glanced at me several times, looking like he wanted to say more. But his phone rang.

It was Chloe. The moment he pressed answer, her tearful voice echoed through the car speakers. “Ethan, Lily has a really high fever. Can you please come over?

I don’t know what to do.” Ethan slammed on the brakes. He grabbed the phone, his voice filled with intense worry. “What happened? Don't panic, Chloe. I’m on my way!”

Ethan hopped out of the car. He tossed the keys into my lap, telling me to drive myself to the hospital. He forgot that I couldn't drive.

Because of a terrible car accident I was in as a child, I panic and shake uncontrollably whenever I get behind the wheel. I still remembered when we first started dating.

Ethan had held me tight and promised, “As long as I’m around, you’ll only ever need to sit in the passenger seat.” But now, he had forgotten his promise, and he had let Chloe take over my spot.

Ethan didn't even give me a chance to speak. He hailed a cab and sped away into the night. I didn't go to the hospital.

I went back to our apartment, took some allergy pills, and buried myself under the blankets until I fell asleep. The next morning, the sound of the front door slamming woke me up.

I walked out of the bedroom and saw Ethan holding a fiveyearold girl in his arms. I froze, not knowing what to say.

The little girl wrapped her arms around Ethan’s neck. “Daddy Ethan, I’m hungry.” Ethan patted her back gently, his voice incredibly soft.

Then he looked up at me. “What are you standing there for? Didn't you hear her? Go make some breakfast.” “Oh, and make it something light.

Lily has a sensitive stomach.” I didn't move. Hearing him order me around like a maid, I asked coldly, “Does she not have a mother?

Why is this my job?” Ethan’s face instantly hardened. He glared at me. “Luna, what the hell is wrong with you?” “Why are you taking your anger out on a fiveyearold?

Where is your compassion? You’re really disappointing me.” Ethan sat on the sofa with Lily. He carefully and clumsily took a pink ribbon and began braiding her hair.

A few months ago, there was a trend on TikTok where boyfriends braided their girlfriends' hair. I had excitedly asked Ethan to do it so we could make a cute video.

He had brushed me off, calling it childish and stupid. Yet here he was, patiently braiding Lily’s hair.

When he messed up, he gently untangled it and started over, his eyes full of tenderness. Before this, Ethan had always told me he hated kids. He said he never wanted them.

But his grandfather, Grandpa Arthur, was desperate for a greatgrandson.

He had even threatened to withhold Ethan's inheritance of the family conglomerate until he settled down and had a child.

And on the exact day I found out I was pregnant, I found out Ethan had married someone else. I let out a cold laugh. “In that case, let’s break up.

I hope you, Chloe, and your perfect little family have a wonderful life.” Ethan froze. He looked up at me in disbelief. “Are you crazy?

Our wedding invitations are already sent out, and you want to break up now? All I did was sign a marriage certificate with Chloe!” “I told you, it’s temporary!

Once the paperwork is done, I’ll divorce her. What more do you want?” All he did was get married. I couldn't comprehend how he could say those words so casually.

Scared by our shouting, Lily started crying loudly. Her shrill wails made my head throb. I frowned. “Can she please stop crying?” Ethan snapped. “Why are you yelling at a kid?

Chloe was right about you. You’re selfish, heartless, and completely lack maternal instinct.

Even if you had a child, you’d be a terrible mother!” His words felt like a physical blow to my chest, leaving me bleeding and breathless.

I was carrying his child in my womb, yet he was standing there telling me I was unfit to be a mother. How pathetic. The living room fell into a suffocating silence.

Ethan seemed to realize he had crossed a line.

His face tense, he picked up his jacket and ushered Lily toward the door. “Marriage isn't a game you can just call off whenever you want. Stop using breakups to threaten me.

Think about what you're doing.” In the past, whenever we argued, I was always the one to apologize and beg for forgiveness. But today, I was just too tired.

I touched my flat stomach, feeling the tiny life inside me. I sat on the sofa alone for hours. Around noon, I called my parents. I was officially canceling the wedding.

With everything set in motion, I went out for one last dinner with my friends. To my surprise, Ethan showed up.

He looked taken aback to see me, and when he spoke, his voice was still stiff from our fight. “What are you doing here?” Carter, Ethan’s business partner, cleared a seat for him and handed him a beer, laughing. “Are you kidding, man?

This is a farewell dinner. Didn't you know?” Carter and Ethan had started their company together. I had invested in their startup early on.

But since I had decided to move back to my hometown and raise my baby alone, I had met with Carter earlier to pull my shares out. That was the reason for tonight’s gathering.

I had assumed Carter had invited Ethan, but clearly, he hadn't. Ethan’s expression turned dead serious. He stared at me. “Farewell dinner?

Where are you going?” Carter looked back and forth between us, sensing the tension but not wanting to interfere. I kept my eyes down and said nothing.

Ethan thought my breakup threat was just a cry for attention. He didn't realize I was entirely serious. Since we were over, my future was none of his business.

Seeing my silence, Ethan took a deep breath and stepped closer to me. “Luna, stop this drama. Don't you think you've taken this too far?

If I hadn't showed up tonight, were you planning to air our dirty laundry in front of everyone?” I didn't want to argue.

I grabbed my bag to leave, but suddenly, Lily ran out of nowhere and slammed right into my stomach. I stumbled backward.

If Carter hadn't caught me in time, I would have crashed onto the hard floor. Lily, on the other hand, sat on the ground holding her forehead and crying.

Chloe came running from a parked car nearby. “Baby, what’s wrong? Who hurt you?” Lily immediately pointed at me. “It was her! That mean woman pushed me!” My eyes widened.

I looked at Ethan. Everyone there had seen it—the child had run straight into me. But when my eyes met Ethan’s, he chose to remain silent.

In that single moment, five years of love crumbled into ash.

I let out a cold laugh, but before I could speak, Chloe chimed in. “Luna, I know you hate me, but my daughter is innocent.

If you have a problem, take it out on me.” “I know I’m weak and useless, but I’m just trying to survive.” She looked like she was on the verge of tears, putting on a perfect show.

Ethan walked over to comfort her. “Don't say that. As long as I’m here, no one will look down on you.” I suddenly remembered how Ethan and I had met.

I was working late shifts at a coffee shop back then. One night, a drunk guy started harassing me, and Ethan had stepped in to save me.

He had stayed with me at the police station and taken me to the clinic to bandage my scrapes. He had told me, “A girl shouldn't work late nights.

Money isn't worth your safety.” When he confessed his feelings to me, he had promised with absolute sincerity that he would never let anyone hurt me again.

Only later did I realize I was just a substitute. He had only noticed me because I reminded him of Chloe. When we met, Chloe had just gotten married to someone else overseas.

To the Ethan of five years ago, the only woman he ever wanted to marry was gone. It didn't matter who he ended up with.

Only I had been kept in the dark, foolishly believing he was my prince charming.

They comforted each other right in front of me, making me look like the villain who was trying to tear them apart. But then again, they were the ones legally married.

I couldn't stand the sight of them for another second. I turned to walk away. But after a few steps, Lily ran up behind me and gave me a hard push. “Go away, you mean woman!

Don't bully my mommy!” But she lost her balance and slipped off the curb onto the road. Chloe screamed, rushing to grab her, but was blinded by the sudden glare of headlights.

I spun around and saw a car speeding toward them. It was about to hit Chloe and her daughter. “Watch out!” I screamed, instinctively reaching out to pull them back.

But Ethan got there first. In his rush to shield Chloe and Lily, he forcefully shoved me out of the way. My body flew backward.

Even though the oncoming driver slammed on the brakes, the car still struck me with terrifying force. Thud. The world spun violently.

I crashed heavily onto the asphalt, and for a second, all the pain vanished into a strange numbness. In the distance, I could hear Lily screaming and crying.

Then, Ethan’s shadow loomed over me. His voice was filled with familiar impatience. “Luna, are you insane? You could have gotten yourself killed!

What is wrong with you?” But in the next second, a bystander gasped in horror. “Oh my god! Look at the blood! She’s bleeding so much!” I ignored Ethan.

With trembling hands, I reached down and touched the warm, sticky liquid pooling beneath me. I could feel something precious slipping away from my body.

Finally, panic crept into Ethan's voice. He dropped to his knees, his hands shaking as he pulled me into his arms. “Luna? Luna, stay with me.

Talk to me!” “My baby... save my baby...” With the last of my strength, I grabbed his collar, my fingers covered in blood. Ethan couldn't make out what I was whispering.

He leaned his ear closer to my mouth. As he did, his eyes fell upon the paper that had slipped out of my open purse. It was my pregnancy report.