My fiancé, Carter, photoshopped my head out of our wedding photos and replaced it with his high school sweetheart's face. He posted it on Instagram with the caption: "Ten years of waiting, finally an echo." When I confronted him, furious, he shrugged it off. "What's the big deal? Everyone can tell it's photoshopped. It's just a joke between friends. Isn't that normal?" But on our wedding day, Carter's friends and family all treated his "white moonlight," Bella, as the bride. I grabbed Carter's arm, begging him to acknowledge me, to tell them I was the one marrying him. instead, he pretended not to know me, turning his back to let Bella take his arm. Mistaken for a crazy woman trying to crash the wedding, I was dragged out by security and ended up in the ER with broken ribs. Lying in the hospital bed, I finally let go. I dialed the number of the mother I hadn't spoken to in three years. "Mom, I agree to the arranged marriage." 1 During my hospital stay, my fiancé didn't call once. Instead, I saw a new post from Bella on Instagram. [Broad shoulders, narrow waist. So protective. Not sure if I can handle him tonight.] The photo showed Carter wearing only a towel around his waist, gently blow-drying Bella's hair. His expression was tender, as if he were handling a priceless treasure. In the past, seeing this photo would have made me call Carter immediately. I would have screamed, asking why they weren't setting boundaries, if Bella's hands were broken, if he remembered he had a fiancée, if he loved me at all... But now, looking at the photo, I felt nothing. I even liked the post. A second later, Carter called. "Babe, don't misunderstand. Bella's hand got hurt at the wedding. I'm just helping her dry her hair." Hurt at the wedding? I laughed coldly. Because Carter photoshopped our wedding photos with Bella's face, the guests thought she was the bride. As the actual bride, I just wanted Carter to clarify. Instead, he said, "The bride is Bella. This girl is just a stalker obsessed with me." That one sentence got me swarmed by his friends and family. I was beaten black and blue. And Bella? She got pricked by a safety pin while trying to rip the corsage off my chest. Love and indifference are so obvious. I was beaten until I couldn't move, lying in a hospital bed. Bella got a pinprick and apparently lost the ability to take care of herself. My heart twitched. My feelings for him vanished in that instant. "Okay, I don't misunderstand." "If that's it, I'm hanging up." Carter, seemingly afraid I didn't believe him, continued: "About the wedding... I just didn't want Bella to feel embarrassed about the mix-up, so I didn't clarify your identity. Please don't be mad. We can redo the wedding later, okay?" I listened quietly. He was afraid Bella would be embarrassed. What about me? "I don't care. You don't need to explain." Maybe because my tone was flat, not the usual instant forgiveness he expected, his apologetic voice turned angry. "Quinn, I already explained. What is this attitude?" "Why are you giving me attitude?" I was silent. My attitude? For years, no matter what mistakes Carter made or how many boundaries he crossed, the moment he showed weakness, I forgave him. I pretended nothing happened. I thought a man showing vulnerability was the ultimate apology. And now, after this? He still thought I would forgive him. I suddenly felt exhausted. My whole body ached as if I'd been run over by a truck. Hearing him continue to question me on the phone, I couldn't take it anymore. I was about to hang up. Then Carter added: "By the way, discharge yourself tonight. You're strong and thick-skinned, stop being dramatic about staying in the hospital." "On your way back, stop by Peking Duck House and pick up an order. I'm craving it." Peking Duck House was in Uptown. Our apartment was in Downtown. An hour and a half round trip. Carter really treated me like a dog. 2 I discharged myself. My hand was still throbbing, the cast heavy on my arm. I had to take an Uber home. But because of my injured hand, the fingerprint lock wouldn't work. And the passcode kept showing as incorrect. Assuming Carter was home, I knocked. The door opened. It was Bella. She welcomed me in warmly, acting like the hostess. "Quinn, you're back? Carter is in the shower." "Oh, my bad. I hurt my finger, remember? Carter was worried the fingerprint scanner wouldn't work for me, so he changed the passcode." "It's the anniversary of the day Carter and I started dating. You definitely wouldn't know it. I'll text it to you later." Anniversary? Carter couldn't remember my birthday, but he remembered the anniversary with his ex. I looked at Bella. She was wearing matching pajamas with Carter—the ones we bought. Her hair was dry, braided messily to the side, clearly Carter's handiwork. She was holding a razor. Bella noticed my gaze. "Carter asked me to shave him. You don't know, but back when we were together, he insisted I shave him every time. He wouldn't let anyone else do it." "Please don't mind. We're just friends now." "If you're unhappy, here, you do it." She forcefully shoved the razor into my injured hand. Just then, the bathroom door opened. Carter walked out wearing the matching male pajama set. He was towel-drying his hair. "Bella, didn't you say you'd help me shave? Why aren't you coming in?" He froze when he saw me. His face, flushed from the steam, turned pale instantly. He walked over quickly to explain. "I was just tired, so I asked Bella to help me shave. Don't misunderstand." Honestly, their relationship didn't need any more misunderstanding. Hand hurt, can't dry hair. Arm sore, can't shave. Can't do anything for themselves, but happy to do everything for each other. I handed the razor back to Bella and walked toward the bedroom. Carter grabbed me, seemingly panicked. "Quinn, what is your attitude? You ignore me on the phone, and now I'm explaining to your face and you're acting like this." "Don't push your luck!" He gripped my wrist hard, ignoring the fact that it was injured. "Also, why are you empty-handed? Didn't I tell you to buy the duck?" "Why don't you ever listen to me? Go buy it now!" The pain in my wrist finally snapped my patience. "I'm not buying it!" I shook off his hand and continued to the bedroom. Inside, I saw clothes scattered on the floor—jackets, underwear. On the bed were torn stockings and boxers. And hanging off the corner of our framed engagement photo... was a broken black bra strap. 3 Carter blocked my path, trying to close the door. "I just changed in here, it's a bit messy." "Go buy the duck. I'll clean up the room." I looked at him, then turned and went into the guest room. The walls weren't soundproof, so I could hear everything in the living room clearly. "Carter, don't be mad. I don't need the duck. Don't be hard on Quinn, she's in a bad mood." "Carter, if you're hungry, I'll cook for you, okay?" "Bella, you're just too generous. unlike that woman. I told her a million times, but she always has to go against me." "Okay, okay, let me shave you first. Or it'll be scratchy tonight." The voices in the living room faded. I dialed the number I hadn't called in three years. "Mom, about that arranged marriage you mentioned... I agree." My mom was overjoyed. "Daughter, you finally came to your senses! Dad and I are getting old, you're our only child. You have no idea... you abandoned us for that man. Your dad's hair turned white from worry these past five years." "I heard about the wedding. That man isn't worth your devotion. He's fickle. He doesn't deserve you." "But since you agreed to the arrangement... how about the 8th of next month?" My mom's voice sounded aged. My eyes welled up. I was so immature back then. I thought love conquered all. When my parents disapproved of Carter, I ran away with him without a second thought. Five years of no contact. But the moment I turned back, they were still there waiting for me. "Okay. I'll leave as soon as I hand over my work here. Please help me plan the wedding." "Wedding? What wedding?" The guest room door opened without warning. I hung up the phone subtly. I looked at Carter. He placed a takeout box on the nightstand. "Who were you talking to about a wedding?" "Didn't I say we need to postpone the wedding for a while? Are you that desperate to marry me?" Looking at his panicked expression, I said calmly, "I was just explaining the situation to a friend." Carter visibly relaxed. He opened the takeout box, revealing the roast duck inside. "You didn't buy the duck, so Bella bought it." "She was afraid you'd be upset, so she bought a whole one just for you. Quinn, let's move past this. Don't be unforgiving." I covered my nose and mouth, turning my head away. Carter's eyes flashed with annoyance. "What is this reaction? Bella was kind enough to apologize with food, and you're disgusted?" "Are you going to waste her kindness? Quinn, don't go too far!" Me? Go too far? "Do you not know I have a physiological revulsion to roast duck?" 4 Years ago, when Carter and I ran away together, we had less than a thousand dollars between us. To avoid burdening him, I took a job at a duck processing plant. I plucked thousands of ducks every day. The stench of raw poultry soaked into my skin. Over time, I developed a physiological nausea towards ducks. I couldn't stand them, even cooked. Back then, Carter would hug me despite the smell. "Quinn, quit the job. seeing you like this breaks my heart. Your hands are peeling. I'm useless, making you suffer like this. I promise, I'll make a lot of money and give you a good life." But now, he forgot. I told him to take the duck away. Carter opened his mouth, but only said: "Sorry, Quinn. I forgot." Actually, he didn't forget. He just didn't care anymore. In the past, he would cook dinner, do my laundry, and refuse to buy any duck products just so I wouldn't smell it. He would hug me regardless of how I smelled. He once worked construction in 100-degree heat just to buy me a birthday cake. The past is gone. I walked to the window and took a deep breath, but the smell of duck grease still lingered. I dry heaved. Carter immediately tied up the bag. "What do you want to eat? I'll make it." I was about to say I didn't need anything. Knock, knock. "Carter! I knocked over the takeout box and burned my hand! Can you take me to the hospital?" Carter immediately opened the door, looking at Bella with concern. "How could you be so careless? It's all red. Your skin is so delicate, we can't let it scar." Before leaving, he remembered to say to me: "Quinn, I'm taking Bella to the hospital. She has a low pain tolerance." The door slammed shut. I looked at the silent room and the takeout box on the nightstand. When the nausea passed, I took the box out to the trash. I saw Carter at the elevator, gently blowing on a small red spot on Bella's hand. The elevator dinged. They entered. The doors closed, separating two worlds. And completely severing our future. 5 Carter didn't come back. Bella, however, tirelessly sent me photos of her and Carter being intimate. I silently blocked Bella on WeChat. Next to the calendar, I placed an hourglass—a gift from Carter years ago. He said an hourglass could turn back time. So, I decided to give him three chances to fix his mistakes. I agreed. First chance was the marriage license. Second was the wedding. The last one was just now. Chances used up. Time to move on. Seven days left until the 8th. I handed in my resignation. My manager, Linda, valued me. She asked why I was leaving so suddenly; she had planned to promote me. I told her, "I'm going back home to get married." Linda was at the wedding disaster. She looked at me, hesitant, then patted my shoulder. "If you decided to go through with it, I hope you live a good life." I knew she misunderstood. I looked down for a moment, then smiled at her. "Not with him." Linda paused, then seemed relieved. Even outsiders could see Carter wasn't right for me. "Make sure you've thought it through this time." I nodded. "My parents arranged it. It won't be wrong." "Good, good." "Let me know when the wedding is. I'll send a big red envelope." I smiled. "Okay. You're invited to the banquet." Back home, I circled another date on the calendar. Two days left. The hourglass was slowly running out of sand. I called my only close friend in the city, Ben. He was Carter's cousin and our matchmaker. He went to the same college as me. During school, he intentionally set Carter and me up. I didn't blame him. But since I was leaving, I should say goodbye. Ben looked awkward when he saw me. He apologized profusely. "I'm so sorry, Quinn. I didn't know Carter would turn into this." "I haven't dared to contact you. I felt so guilty." "Hit me, scold me, I won't say a word." His dramatic expression made me laugh. "I know you meant well. It's not anyone's fault we ended up here." Seeing I wasn't angry, Ben said, "I already yelled at Carter. He said you forgave him and agreed to postpone the wedding." "Is the date set?" I took a sip of coffee. "Yeah." "The 8th." "Isn't that the day after tomorrow?" "Why didn't Carter tell me?" I exhaled. "Not with him." Ben's eyes went wide. "You're marrying someone else? Does Carter know?" "The person he always wanted to marry was Bella, not me." 6 Ben realized I was truly moving on. He downed his drink. "It's Carter's loss." These past few years, I gave up too much for Carter. A top-tier university grad working a dead-end job, living in a strange city alone, cutting off my parents. If Carter left me, I had nothing here. We chatted for a long time until his phone rang. It was Carter. "Bro, I want you to meet Bella. Come to Modi Café." He put the phone down. Our eyes met. Carter walked in, holding hands with Bella. He panicked when he saw me and let go. But Bella grabbed his arm again, looking surprised. "Quinn! You're here too? You're with Carter's cousin... are you tattling on us?" "My burn was serious, that's why Carter left you to take me to the hospital. You know Carter is kindhearted. You should understand him best." Carter chimed in. "Quinn, what's going on? Didn't I say we'd redo the wedding? Now you're complaining to my cousin?" "Don't forget, he and I are family. You're just an outsider right now." Hearing their attitude, Ben seemed to understand why I was marrying someone else. He snapped at Carter. "Carter, shut up!" Carter wouldn't stop. "I don't get it. You used to be so understanding. Why are you so petty and jealous now?" ... I met Carter for the first time in Ben's rental apartment. It was Winter Solstice. Ben made us wrap dumplings. I was clumsy, but Carter was good at it. I asked him to teach me. He held my hand, guiding me. Ben came back with vinegar and teased, "You two look like an old married couple." I let go, blushing. Carter was too shy to look at me. Back then, I never imagined that a moment of flutter would cost me five years, only for us to drift apart. I watched Carter introduce Bella to Ben. Ben asked, "What do you mean by introducing her?" "Bella is my friend." "Carter, I don't know what you're thinking, but I know how men think. Bringing another woman to meet me sends a clear message. I hope you've thought about the consequences." Bella twisted her fingers awkwardly. "I don't have the status to know your brother. I overstepped." "Carter, I should leave. You, your cousin, and Quinn should talk." Her eyes were red, tears falling. She looked so wronged. Carter grabbed her hand without hesitation. "Why should you go? I brought you here. If anyone should leave, it's the petty snitch." Since he named me, I said goodbye to Ben and walked away. Ben tried to stop me, but Carter blocked him. "Bro, why chase her? She was wrong to tattle. Let her reflect on it. Otherwise, I'll postpone the wedding again." Ben stomped his foot, frustrated. "Carter, keep hurting her. When you really lose Quinn, don't come crying to me." "When she marries someone else, you'll have nowhere to cry." Carter didn't care. "She loves me to death. She's desperate for me to marry her. She'd never marry anyone else." "Bro, stop overreacting." "Bella is treating us to dinner. You have to come." Bella suddenly called out to me. "Quinn, you come too."
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "389863", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel