My Fiance Who Lied to Me

I collapsed onto the ground, my heart pounding, my mind in utter disarray, with only one thought to call Rowan. A large mouthful of blood surged from the corner of Grandma's lips, followed by thick, black globs spilling out one after another.

I knelt beside her, frantically wiping the corners of her mouth as though somehow I could ease her pain. However, no matter how many times I wiped her lips clean, I could not take away the agony wracking her frail body.

At last, she took my hand, her fingers weakly combing through my hair in the same gentle way she had when I was a child. "My Amara… Amara, who always looks forward to life's beauty… You will look so lovely on your wedding day, but it's such a pity…"

Her words grew softer, fading like a waning light, until finally, she murmured, "It's a pity that Grandma won't be there to see it."

"Amara, don't blame Rowan… It's just that my time has come."

And then, in my arms, she passed away. I fell to the floor, utterly shattered, unable to find my own voice.

My hands trembled as I fumbled for my phone, dialing Rowan's number, tears blurring my vision and sticking to my face. My voice cracked as I choked out the words, "Rowan, please… can you come and stay with me?"

Unfortunately, the phone did not dial. Instead, a notification popped up. It was a new update from Madeline's Treatment Diary.

My heart lurched as I opened it.

"The fifteen thousand dollars given by my beloved Rowan gave me the courage to keep on living."

"He said I deserve the best."

Madeline kissed his forehead affectionately and murmured in a low voice. "You don't know how much I love you, so much that I want to live for you. It's just a pity you don't belong to me."

I scrolled down, my vision dimming and saw the flood of supportive comments in the thread below. [To know if a man loves you, just see if he's willing to spend money on you!]

[Go for it! The way he looks at you is anything but innocent!]

With a blank expression, I confirmed many times that the person lying beside the hospital bed was my fiancé, Rowan Price.

I had memorized every detail of that delicate profile over the years. I knew that face all too well.

Tears streamed down my own face, each one bringing a numbness more intense than the last.

Rowan had refused to pay for my grandmother's treatment, but he had sent fifteen thousand dollars to a woman he met online.

I understood now. He was not with me, after all. He was with her.

Madeline's voice was barely more than a whisper, filled with a wistful nostalgia that stung. "But I don't need money. I need you. It would be wonderful if this fifteen thousand dollars were your dowry for marrying me…"

As she spoke, her hand reached up to gently caress his face, a delicate, almost reverent gesture. On her finger was a six-pointed star diamond ring, sparkling in the soft light.

I had seen that very ring sitting in Rowan's online shopping cart. Back then, I had believed it was meantto be our engagement ring.

My eyes burned red and my vision blurred as I glanced down at the simple silver band I had cherished so deeply. Now, it felt like a cruel joke mocking me.

I stayed awake the entire night, alternating between pleading and praying, desperate for some miracle that might save my grandmother. But all the while, Rowan's heart was elsewhere, entangled with another woman.

The pain in my chest was so intense that I doubled over, clutching myself as tears streamed down my face. A bitter smile twisted my lips as I mocked myself for being a fool.

Deep down, I knew there was no longer anything left to ask. Everything was painfully clear.

So, I typed out a comment. [I wish you a long life together.]

Rowan saw my message and almost immediately, my phone lit up with his furious call. "Why did you say that to Madeline? Was it necessary to be so cruel to a stranger, especially when she's sick?"

My throat tightened painfully as I forced back a sob. Gritting my teeth, I choked out, "Rowan… Grandma passed away. Where are you?"

I heard the sudden panic in his voice. "Amara, I'll be there soon. Please… please don't cry."

I knelt by the coffin, surrounded by the quiet stillness of winter. The snow was falling gently, its cold touch seeping into my bones as I waited for Rowan.

In a low voice, he whispered, "Amara, I'm sorry… I'm late."

My eyes stung as I looked up, words hovering on my lips, ready to break free. But just then, I heard a voice that froze me to the core.

"Rowan..."

The sound lodged in my throat, trapping everything I wanted to say. Turning my head, I found myself staring into the face of Madeline.

Rowan stood up quickly. He took the scarf he had been holding and carefully wrapped it around her neck. "It's freezing out here and you just had surgery. Why did you go outside like this?"