After My Boyfriend Postponed Our Wedding, I Married The Richest Man In Town

”Holly's dating someone? He looks kind of familiar."

I froze, instinctively pulling out my phone to check Holly's Instagram.

She'd posted a photo of herself holding hands with Lucas at the orphanage.

The caption read: "After all these years, we're finally walking side by side."

Posted at 12:07 - December 7th, the day they first met.

I pressed my lips together, the sweat on my forehead no longer bothering me.

The photo of Lucas dressed as Santa at my birthday party still sat prominently on my desk.

Without hesitation, I took apart the frame, walked to the shredder, and fed the photo in.

The machine slowly turned the photo into confetti.

Gone without a trace.

I returned to my seat and took a long drink of water.

By evening, I was dragging my exhausted body out of the dance studio.

My phone rang with a familiar tone.

I hesitated for thirty seconds before pulling it from my pocket.

A wave of disappointment and hurt washed over me.

"Sophie, when did you and Lucas..."

"Mom, we called off the engagement," I cut her off.

After hearing my explanation, Mom said, "What are you thinking? You're almost 30, and you dare to break off an engagement? Who's going to marry you now?"

"Besides, this marriage was arranged between me and Sarah Larson. Even though she has Alzheimer's now, we can't go back on our promise. You need to explain this to her yourself!"

I hung up and walked alone down the street.

The city was alive with lights from countless windows, but not one of them shone for me.

I thought I would always be alone.

My phone rang again.

I glanced at it and answered, "Hello, Ms. Parker."

Her voice came through, "There's an advanced program at the Royal Ballet School in London. If you refuse again, Holly will take the spot..."

"I'll go!"

"Don't worry, Ms. Parker. From now on, I won't give up any more opportunities the company offers me."

She went on about how glad she was that I'd finally come to my senses.

I smiled bitterly.

It wasn't about coming to my senses. I just finally understood that what's mine shouldn't be given away.

And what isn't mine, I shouldn't force to keep.

—

The next day, I took time off, planning to sleep in.

But early in the morning, I was jolted awake by my phone.

Lucas's cold voice cut through the line, "Have you lost your mind? You actually told the family about breaking off the engagement? Sophie, you're 30! You're not some young girl in her twenties like Holly. Can't you think things through before acting?"

His shouting cleared the fog from my drowsy mind.

"Lucas."

"You're in love with Holly, aren't you?"

There was a long silence on the other end.

After what felt like forever, he spoke as if he'd made some decision, "Sophie, I only love Holly like a sister."

"You and I are the ones who should be getting married."

Staring at the ceiling, I suddenly realized how cowardly this man I'd loved for ten years really was.

"Lucas, the first time you abandoned me for Holly was on my birthday. That day, you were determined to marry me, and just as determined to leave me for her."

"The second time you disregarded my feelings for Holly was at the dance company party. You drank in her place, and kissed her to help her win that game, telling me it was just part of the game."

"The third time you chose Holly over me, you knew performing on stage was my dream. You knew that opportunity was mine, but you still used your position as an investor to steal it for Holly."