After My Fiancé Abandoned Me, His Billionaire Rival Saved Me

We arrived in Aspen for our pre-wedding ski trip. I was exhausted but happy. The snow looked magical through the cab window. I thought this week would just be me and Andrew. Seven years together, and we finally had time to ourselves before the wedding.

Then I walked into the resort lobby.

Skyla was sitting by the roaring stone fireplace. She held a mug of hot cocoa with both hands. She wore a pristine white snow bunny outfit that made her look tiny and fragile.

My stomach dropped. The familiar, suffocating weight settled in my chest.

"Andrew!" she called out in her high, breathy voice. She ran over and hugged him tight, burying her face in his coat. "I'm so glad you guys made it. My anxiety was acting up flying alone."

Andrew hugged her back. He didn't look surprised at all. "You made it okay, Sky?"

I stared at him, my fingernails biting into my palms. "What is she doing here, Andrew?"

Andrew sighed. He gave me that tired, condescending look. The one that said I was being difficult again. "Char, her pipes burst at home. She was stressed. I told her she could catch a flight and hang out. It's not a big deal."

It was our pre-wedding trip. But before I could argue, the front desk clerk called us over.

"Mr. Miller? We have a slight issue," the clerk said, looking uncomfortable. "Ms. Rose checked in earlier. She said she was part of your party and took the luxury suite you booked. We only have one standard room left on the ground floor."

I looked at Skyla. She bit her lip and looked down, playing with her mittens. "I'm so sorry, Charlotte. My altitude sickness kicked in so fast. I just needed to lie down, and the suite was ready. You don't mind, do you?"

Andrew squeezed my shoulder. His grip was firm, a silent command to behave. "Let her have it, Char. She's delicate with the altitude. We'll be fine in the standard room."

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth. I nodded. Just like I always did.

By nightfall, a massive blizzard hit the mountain. The wind howled against the thin glass of our ground-floor window, rattling the frame.

The standard room was a freezing nightmare. The heater was completely broken. I sat on the edge of the stiff mattress, wrapped in my heavy winter coat. My breath plumed in the icy air. My fingers and toes were completely numb.

Andrew's phone buzzed on the nightstand. He picked it up, and his annoyed expression instantly softened.

"Sky? What's wrong?" he asked gently.

I closed my eyes. I knew what was coming. The script never changed.

"Okay, okay. Just breathe. I'll be right there," he said softly.

He hung up and grabbed his jacket from the chair.

"Where are you going?" I asked. My voice sounded hollow, barely carrying over the howling wind outside.

"Skyla had a nightmare," he said, zipping his coat. "The storm is scaring her. And her altitude sickness is getting worse. I just need to go soothe her."

"Andrew, it's freezing in here," I said. My teeth chattered so hard my jaw ached. "The heater is broken. We called maintenance two hours ago. They aren't coming."

He paused at the door. He looked at me with pure irritation. "Charlotte, put on another sweater. Skyla is having a real panic attack. You're strong, you can handle a little cold. Stop being so selfish."

Selfish. The word felt like a slap.

"I'll be back when she falls asleep," he said.

The door clicked shut.

I sat there in the dark. The wind screamed outside. But inside my chest, something finally snapped. It wasn't a loud break. It was quiet. Final.

Seven years. Seven years of standing on the sidelines of my own relationship. I thought about the Thanksgiving pie last month. He bought pecan. Skyla's favorite. He completely forgot my severe nut allergy. I thought about the ruined proposals, the cancelled dates, the endless excuses. He always chose her. He kept me around because I was safe. Because I was obedient.

I wasn't a fiancé. I was a backup plan.

I stood up. My legs felt stiff from the cold, but my mind was perfectly clear.

I didn't cry. The tears were completely gone. I just felt done.

I pulled my suitcase from the corner. I threw my clothes inside. I didn't bother folding them. I zipped the bag shut with a sharp, loud scrape that echoed in the quiet room.

I pulled out my phone. My fingers were stiff, but I typed the words quickly.

*The engagement is over. Have a nice life with Skyla.*

I hit send. I didn't wait for a reply. I blocked his number. Then I blocked his social media. I erased him from my life in less than a minute.

I grabbed my suitcase and walked out of the room.

The lobby was dim and empty. The front desk clerk was asleep in the back office. I pushed through the heavy glass doors and stepped out into the blizzard.

The Colorado snowstorm hit me like a wall of ice. The wind whipped my hair across my face, stinging my cheeks. The snow soaked through my boots instantly. It was freezing, blinding, and dangerous.

But as I dragged my suitcase through the heavy snow toward the taxi stand, I took a deep breath. The icy air filled my lungs, waking me up.

For the first time in seven years, I felt completely warm.