I Dumped My Fiancé Before Our Wedding

Hearing Zamir Peterson’s name set Sol Kelly’s nerves on edge, but she kept her expression neutral as she watched him drive off. The second he was out of sight, she let out a shaky breath of relief.

After dinner, Sol turned to Adrian Lopez. “Mr. Lopez, I can’t thank you enough for stepping in tonight. If Zamir had gotten his way, I’d never have forgiven myself.”

Adrian waved her off. “It was nothing.”

The next morning, she had the dry-cleaned suit jacket sent to the room next door, only to find out Adrian had already checked out. Last night, when she’d handed it in to be cleaned, she’d noticed it was custom-made—clearly expensive. Mr. Lopez was obviously a man of influence. Maybe their paths would cross again.

Back in her room, Sol called to check on the progress. “Ms. Kelly, Eagle Corporation is prepared to buy the entire stake.”

“Great. Proceed with it.”

“Understood.”

Sol hung up, left the hotel, stopped by a store for supplies, then took a cab to the orphanage. For the past three years, she and Zamir had supported this orphanage. It wasn’t much—just $1,500 a year—but it was enough to make sure the children got a few nutritious meals. When things were calmer, she and Zamir would bring treats and supplies for the kids. But Zamir had gotten busier and busier, leaving Sol to make these visits alone.

The moment she stepped inside, joyful voices filled the air like a chorus of happy birds. “Sol!”

The children swarmed her, faces bright with joy. Warmth bloomed in her chest as she gently patted the nearest boy’s head. “Where’s Mrs. Quinn?”

At the sound of her voice, the orphanage director, Mrs. Quinn, stepped out, her face breaking into a warm smile. “Sol, what brings you here today?”

Sol handed over bags stuffed with new toothbrushes, towels, notebooks, and pencils. “Just wanted to see the kids. I brought some essentials and supplies.”

Mrs. Quinn took them gratefully, her expression full of thanks. “You always bring so much whenever you visit. The children and I can’t thank you enough.”

It was rare to find someone like Sol—young, generous with both money and time. And it had only been a month since her last visit.

Once the children had carried the supplies to the storage room, Mrs. Quinn led Sol to a bench in the garden. “Sol, is something wrong?” she asked gently.

Sol managed a small smile. “I’m actually here to say goodbye.”

“Are you and Zamir leaving Manchester?”

Mrs. Quinn remembered that Zamir’s company had just gone public. Leaving now felt sudden. Had something happened?

“Zamir and I broke up. That’s why I’m leaving.”

Three years ago, Sol had come to Manchester alone. Now she was leaving the same way. “But you were just about to get married?” Mrs. Quinn remembered Sol bringing wedding invitations on her last visit, her face glowing with happiness.

“He’s been cheating for two years. I only just found out.” Sol lowered her gaze, her long lashes hiding the hurt in her eyes. She was determined to move on, but saying it out loud to someone who had witnessed how deep her relationship with Zamir had been brought a dull ache to her heart.

“Could it be a misunderstanding?” Mrs. Quinn had seen the way Zamir cared for Sol. His tenderness had seemed genuine.

“No misunderstanding. I saw it with my own eyes.” Sol’s voice was steady—and flat.

Mrs. Quinn’s expression twisted with pain. She wasn’t sure how to comfort her. She squeezed Sol’s hand. “Sol, you’re beautiful and kind. You deserve better.”

Just then, Zamir appeared at the entrance. Mrs. Quinn’s grip tightened reflexively. Sol followed her gaze, and her expression turned to ice.

“Mrs. Quinn, I brought some supplies and groceries for the kids.” Zamir’s voice was calm as he motioned for his assistant to bring in the boxes, his eyes never leaving Sol.

Mrs. Quinn looked at Sol anxiously. “Go ahead, Mrs. Quinn. I’ll be fine,” Sol said.

After a moment’s hesitation, Mrs. Quinn left, leaving the two of them alone.

Zamir stepped closer, all self-assurance, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. “Sol, I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have tried to force you,” he began.

“What’s the point of this now?” Sol’s voice was steady, betraying nothing.

“I know you didn’t mean what you said.” He reached out and grabbed her wrist. Sol tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened. “We care about each other. We shouldn’t be apart. I’ll deal with Carly. I want the wedding to go ahead as planned.”

His handsome face wore a mask of gentle warmth, as if last night’s coercion and his earlier betrayals had been nothing but a bad dream.

Sol let out a soft, humorless laugh. “Zamir, marrying an ‘older woman’ like me—aren’t you afraid you’ll regret it every single day?”

“There will be no wedding. And I won’t forgive you.”

Anger flashed in Zamir’s eyes, and his grip tightened. “I said those things in jest. I didn’t mean them. The fact that you’re upset proves how much you care.”

“Does a two-year adulterer deserve a place in my heart?” Sol wrenched her hand free, her eyes full of open disdain.

Once, Sol had looked at him with warmth and love. Now her gaze held nothing but indifference and disgust.

Unable to stand losing control, Zamir leaned in and dropped his voice to a threat. “Sol, I know you care about the orphanage and the kids. If it were gone, what would happen to them? To Mrs. Quinn?”

Her eyes sharpened. “What are you planning?”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and whispered in her ear, “I just don’t want to lose you. And I don’t want any problems with the wedding.”

He used to be the one who didn’t want marriage. Now he was the one insisting. Did everything have to go his way?

A chill ran through Sol, spreading like ice through her veins. “Zamir, Mrs. Quinn and the children are innocent. You have no right to decide their fate.”

“Sol, you’re mistaken.” His voice was cold, ruthless. “This world runs on survival of the fittest. The people at the bottom—their lives are worth the least. Deciding their fate takes nothing more than a few words from me.”

His gaze locked on hers, a tyrannical warning. “Surely you don’t want them to suffer because of you?”