My Cheating Fiancée Ran to Her Best Friend, So I Married Her Gorgeous Mother

It was the tenth time my girlfriend and I showed up at the civil‑affairs bureau to get our marriage license.

We were only one final step away — the stamping of the official steel seal — when she got a phone call from her long‑time white‑light crush and took off right away.

I begged her desperately to stay, but all I got in return was a sharp, resounding slap across my face. That very day, I became the biggest joke at the civil‑affairs bureau.

Every last shred of hope I’d held for my girlfriend died right then. Without a second thought, I dialed her mother’s number. “Aunt Helen, I’ve made up my mind.

If you haven’t changed your mind, then let’s meet at the civil‑affairs bureau.” Today was the tenth time Chloe and I stood in City Hall, waiting to sign our marriage certificate.

Four years of dating, countless proposals—today was finally supposed to be the day. My hands were shaking with pure excitement as I held Chloe’s hand.

But just as the clerk was about to press the official seal onto our certificate, her phone buzzed. It was that familiar ringtone.

Chloe answered, listened for two seconds, and her face went completely pale. She snatched her ID back and turned to leave.

As she ripped her hand away, her diamond ring scratched my ring finger, leaving a thin trail of blood. I instinctively grabbed the hem of her jacket, begging, "Chloe, please.

Whatever it is, can we just sign this first? It’s the very last step.

It’ll take one minute!" Chloe glared at me, her eyes filled with rage, and slapped me hard across the face. "Lucas! How can you be so selfish?

Julian is in agonizing stomach pain right now, and you’re only thinking about yourself! Get out of my way! Don’t even try to contact me for the next couple of days.

I’m staying at Julian's place to take care of him." She ran out of City Hall without looking back, leaving me standing there frozen. The clerk looked at me with pure pity.

The people waiting in line behind us crowded around, whispering and laughing at my expense. I couldn’t hear them.

I just let out a bitter, selfdeprecating laugh. "Chloe, this was the tenth time. And it was your last chance." We were supposed to be married last June.

But then her childhood friend, Julian, came back into her life. And because of him, Chloe and I had been to City Hall ten times, only to leave emptyhanded.

The first time, Julian just called and said he missed her. Chloe literally snatched her documents from the clerk's hand and bolted.

The second time, Julian got drunk, and she had to stay the night to look after him. The third time was even more ridiculous.

Julian said his cat was depressed, and Chloe abandoned me without a second thought.

Every single time we were about to get married, Julian would find some absurd, dramatic reason to call her away. And every single time, she chose him. But today was the tenth time.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and slid the engagement ring off my finger—the ring I had treasured so much—and threw it straight into the trash can. Four years of love.

I was putting an end to it today. Not with a wedding, but with a permanent breakup.

If she could abandon me ten times for her childhood friend, she would definitely abandon me, or even cheat on me, in the future. If that was the case, I was done.

Whatever she did next was no longer my business. My heart was completely shattered. I decided to leave this city. But before I left, I had to see Chloe's mother, Helen.

Helen was gentle, elegant, and incredibly kind. She never looked down on me for being a broke orphan. Instead, she always gave me warmth, encouragement, and support.

In fact, she treated me much better than she treated her own daughter.

To show my appreciation, I used to go to her house to help with chores, cook, and keep her company when she was lonely. If I left without saying goodbye, she would be devastated.

When I arrived at Helen's house, her face lit up with genuine joy. Her soft, warm eyes rested on me, reluctant to look away. I wanted to smile back, but I couldn't force it.

Helen immediately noticed my pale face. After she gently pressed me for answers, I sighed and told her everything.

When I finished, Helen was absolutely furious. "This is unacceptable!

How could I raise such a shameless daughter?!" "You two were seconds away from being married, and she ran off to be with some childhood friend?

Did she learn absolutely nothing about respect and loyalty?!" In my memory, Helen had always been a refined, softspoken woman.

I had never heard her raise her voice like this, let alone use such harsh words. "Lucas, don't worry. I've got your back." "I'll call her right now and make her come back.

She's going to City Hall with you to sign those papers, or so help me, I'll disown her!" I quickly stopped her. "No, Helen. She doesn't love me.

Even if we get married, we won't be happy. It's better to let it go." "Besides, I'm completely done with her. I don't feel anything anymore." Ten trips to City Hall.

Every single one had been a knife to my chest. My love for her had died with that tenth strike. It could never be healed. Helen fell silent.

Her eyes were filled with deep heartache, and a tear rolled down her cheek. I sighed and stood up. I had come here to say goodbye. Now that I had, it was time for me to go.

But as I turned around, Helen suddenly threw her arms around me from behind, holding me tight.

I froze, completely lost. "Lucas, don't go." Her voice was trembling, filled with a desperate plea that shook me to my core. "Helen... what are you..."

Helen's face was flushed with panic and fear. She held onto me as if her life depended on it, refusing to let go. "Lucas, I've kept a secret in my heart for three years.

I'm afraid if I don't say it now, I'll never get another chance." "I know you're an amazing man. Since my daughter doesn't want you... I do.

Will... will you marry me?" Helen thought I was leaving the city forever. Terrified of losing me, she couldn't bottle up her feelings anymore.

Years of hidden affection finally exploded. "Helen... what did you just say?" I was completely dumbfounded. I thought I was hallucinating. Even my voice was shaking.

Helen let go of me, her eyes filled with shyness.

She gathered all her courage, looked directly into my eyes, and spoke with every ounce of strength she had: "Lucas, spending these past few years with you, I realized I fell in love with you.

But you were my daughter's boyfriend. I had to suppress it." "But now... I don't want to miss my chance.

I don't want to lose you." "Lucas, if you don't mind that I'm older than you, we can go to City Hall right now. Chloe doesn't want you, but I do!" Helen was gorgeous.

The first time I met her, I was completely stunned by her beauty. Even though she was forty, time hadn't left a single mark on her.

Her skin was as flawless as a baby's, and she had a stunning, hourglass figure—curvy, tall, and elegant. She radiated the mature charm of a grown woman.

Combined with her gentle and intellectual personality, she was incredibly irresistible. Hearing her passionate confession, my heart began to beat wildly.

I had no idea Helen had been harboring such deep feelings for me. No wonder she always spoiled me. She had been showing her love in the only way she could. I was tempted.

But she was still my elder, and more importantly, Chloe's mother. My strong sense of morality made it hard to accept right away.

I could only make an excuse, telling her I needed time to think, and practically fled her house. My mind was a chaotic mess as I walked back to my apartment.

But when I opened my door, I froze. A pale, slender man was lying comfortably on the couch, his head resting on Chloe's lap. Chloe was looking down at him with pure adoration.

It was Julian Sterling. I let out a mocking laugh. Every time I had wanted to rest my head on her lap, Chloe would find some excuse to reject me.

It turned out her lap was reserved only for Julian. There was no room for another man. When Chloe saw me, her face instantly hardened. "What are you doing back?

Julian needs peace and quiet. Get the hell out!" Since I had already decided to end this relationship, I wasn't going to take her attitude anymore.

I said coldly, "This is my apartment.

If he needs rest, he can go to his own home." "Outsiders are not welcome here." Hearing this, Julian weakly clutched his stomach and struggled to sit up. "Chloe, it's all my fault.

If my apartment wasn't so messy, you wouldn't have brought me here, and your boyfriend wouldn't be mad." "I think I should just leave." Julian put on a pathetic act.

Chloe immediately panicked and comforted him. Then, she stood up, walked over, and slapped me across the face. "Lucas! Are you even human? Julian is sick!

What's wrong with letting him stay here for a bit?!" "Why are you so selfish?

Can't you just show some compassion?!" For the sake of her precious childhood friend, she threw away every bit of affection we had.

All the good things I had done for her in the past were completely forgotten. I was utterly disgusted by her. Julian secretly shot me a smug, provocative look from the couch.

I ignored him, not wanting to waste my breath. I walked toward my bedroom to pack some of my things and leave this toxic place.

But when I opened the bedroom door, the sight inside made my blood boil. Before I left this morning, the room had been spotless. Now, it looked like a dumpster.

Blankets were thrown on the floor, the closet doors were swung open, and trash was scattered everywhere.

But what pushed me over the edge was the photo frame that used to sit on my nightstand. It was lying smashed on the floor. I was an orphan.

The only connection I had to my biological parents was that single photograph. But now, the glass was shattered.

And the photo itself had been ripped out and torn into a thousand pieces.

Clenching my teeth, I stormed out of the room, grabbed Julian by his collar, yanked him off the couch, and roared, "Did you tear up my photo?!" Julian put on an innocent, terrified face. "What photo?

Lucas, what are you talking about?" But a split second later, he lowered his voice so only I could hear, whispering mockingly, "Yeah, I tore it. What are you gonna do about it?

Hit me? If you touch me, you and Chloe are completely done—AHHH!" I didn't let him finish. My fist slammed into his face, over and over again.

I beat him until his face was black and blue, blood pouring from his nose as he screamed in agony. "Ahhh!" "Stop it!" "Lucas, stop!" Chloe screamed in horror and lunged at me. "Lucas, are you crazy?!

What did Julian ever do to you for you to beat him like this?!" "You've gone too far!" I glared at her, my eyes burning with rage. "Too far?

Every single disgusting thing he's done was too far! But I let it go!" "But he crossed the line. He should have never touched my photo!" That photo was my red line.

Chloe defended him righteously, screaming, "Do you have any proof he did it? Besides, it’s just a stupid, blurry photo!

What's the big deal?!" "That was the only photo of my parents!" "So what? You're just an abandoned orphan anyway! What's the point of keeping a useless photo?

I think it's great that it got ripped!" "A heartless bastard like you deserved to be abandoned!" Looking at her hideous, cruel face, I clenched my fists so hard they shook.

I wanted to hit her, too, but for Helen's sake, I held back.

I took a deep breath and looked at her with icy eyes. "Chloe, it seems you've made your choice to protect this piece of trash.

I hope you don't regret it." Chloe's entire focus was on Julian. She was fussing over his bruises, completely ignoring my words. I let out a cold sneer and walked out.

Standing in the hallway, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. "Helen, I've made up my mind.

If you haven't changed your mind, I'll meet you at City Hall." Chloe, when you find out I've become your stepfather, I can't wait to see the look on your face!