My Fiancé Married Her, So I Married Higher

I laughed at Eve's fake, dramatic performance.

She was as sharp as ever, twisting the truth with just a few words to make me the villain when the bet had been her idea. Now that she had won and I had stepped aside without a word of protest, what was the point of her act?

I gave her a cool glance and said in a distant voice, "You two are married now, and I've broken off my engagement. We've got nothing to do with each other anymore, so let's not cross paths again if it's unnecessary."

Of course, they believed that was just my angry outburst and weren't convinced.

Clutching the silver bangle, Eve tried to slip it onto my wrist. "Don't be upset, Serena. Holden made this himself. Even if I want one, I can't get it."

Annoyed, I shoved her away. "I said no!"

Though I barely used any strength, she flung herself sideways and crashed into the shelf like I had pushed her with all my might. Tears instantly streamed down her face as she pitifully whimpered.

"I understand I've crossed the line, Serena, but I just wanted you to accept Holden's gift and make peace with him."

Holden gathered her into his arms and glared at me with fury. "You've gone too far! Apologize to her, now!"

When I didn't move, he grabbed the silver bangle from Eve and tossed it into the trash. "Someone like you, who treats my efforts with contempt, doesn't deserve it. Just don't come begging to me when you regret it."

With that, he stormed out with Eve, steadying her against him.

Before they made it far, she glanced back somewhat inadvertently with a silent, knowing smile on her lips. Then, she mouthed. "You've lost."

…

Eve was an illegitimate daughter of the Hodgsons, brought back to the family at 11. I had heard stories that she didn't know proper table manners and was mocked by her peers.

Once, her sister pretended to drop a cake and smeared it across Eve's dress. While she was flustered and humiliated, it was Holden who had stepped in to save her.

From then on, she clung to him and followed him everywhere, like a lost duckling that had found its mother. Out of pity, he silently consented to her approach and took extra care of her.

Things eventually went out of control when he'd remember her share for every treat and toy.

Years later, she went abroad. That was when Holden and I met and fell in love, but whispers of their story never stopped circulating in the elite circle.

Whenever I grew jealous of Eve, he'd soothe me by saying, "You know I only feel sorry for her." And I believed it, thinking his feelings for Eve were nothing more than pity.

But the moment she returned, he changed.

He left me nine times for her. And when he heard she was set to marry Ryland, he dragged her to the city hall and tied the knot with her before anyone could stop him.

Their marriage announcement was met with well wishes, with commenters calling them "childhood sweethearts" and "the perfect match". And as for me, I was simply discarded.

Maybe his love for me had changed, or he might never have loved me at all. All I could do was laugh bitterly and lament at why he had sought me out in the first place if his heart had always belonged to someone else.

The day before my wedding was Valentine's Day.

Every year before, I would beg Holden to spend it with me. But this year, I just wanted to be alone.

I wandered into my favorite flower shop and was thinking of buying roses when I was told that every stalk had been reserved. While I was wondering who the extravagant buyer was, the shop assistant behind the counter sighed in envy.

"Mrs. Lane is so lucky. Just because she likes roses, Mr. Lane bought out the entire shop!"

"Another day, another reason to envy true love. I heard he even dumped his long-time girlfriend for her."