My Wedding Fell Apart, But My Heart Found Home

After changing my clothes and packing my things, I descended the stairs with my suitcase, determined to leave this chapter behind. Just as I reached the front door, I collided with Jayden and Nicole, who had just returned.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Jayden’s tone was icy, his gaze locking onto mine with an unsettling intensity.

Before I could respond, Nicole stepped forward, gripping my hand tightly. “Hannah, Jayden and I are friends. Don’t get the wrong idea,” she said, her eyes glimmering with a pride that didn’t escape my notice.

Jayden chimed in, clearly trying to play the mediator, as if he thought he could pacify the situation. The underlying message was clear: he wanted me to stop causing trouble.

I tightened my grip on Nicole’s hand, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask than a genuine expression. “You must take good care of Jayden,” I said sweetly, the words dripping with sarcasm.

Turning to Jayden, I added, “The car keys and bank card you gave me are all in the room.”

With that, I pushed open the door and stepped outside, dragging my suitcase behind me.

“Hannah! Once you leave, don’t ever come back!” Jayden’s roar echoed in the air, filled with anger and finality.

I didn’t bother to reply.

Never stopping is the best answer.

I sold some designer bags and rented a small house in the city, trying to carve out a new life for myself.

One day, as I was unpacking, the landlord stared at me for a long moment before finally speaking. “Hey, Miss Stewart, are you the bride who escaped from marriage in the news?”

My heart sank, and I quickly masked my shock with a calm smile, denying it. I watched as the landlord shook his head, lamenting about how a woman who fled a marriage didn’t know how to cherish such an opportunity, missing the chance to marry into a wealthy family.

It dawned on me then that the narrative had been twisted beyond recognition. I had become the most shameless woman in Florida, a mere footnote in their gossip.

Marrying into a wealthy family had never been my dream. All I wanted was Jayden's sincerity. Yet, not only had I not received that sincerity, but I had also left the Murphy household battered and bruised—both emotionally and physically.

Now that I had finally walked out of that sad place, I also wanted to leave behind the sad person I had become.

Later that evening, I opened a recruitment app and my eyes caught the listing for a personal nutritionist. I hadn’t worked in three years, dedicating my time to taking care of Jayden. In preparation for that role, I enrolled in a nutrition program and took the exam for my certification.

Just as I was contemplating this new path, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

I stood up and opened the door with a crack, only for someone to pull it wide open from the outside. Jayden’s scarlet eyes locked onto mine, filled with a storm of emotions.

“Hannah, what do you mean?” he demanded, grabbing my chin and pushing me against the corner of the doorway.

In the past, I might have interpreted this gesture as flirting. But now, it feels like a cage closing in around me.

I turned my face to shake off his grip, meeting his gaze with cold defiance. “I said, break up.”

“Why do you say break up?” Jayden shouted, his voice rising with agitation. “You’re the one who said we were together, but now you’re the one who wants to end it? It can’t be that easy!”

His shoulders shook slightly, betraying his attempt to control his emotions. The tension in his muscles and the rapid pulse in his throat told a different story, revealing the turmoil beneath his surface.

I smiled, surprising even myself, as I looked him up and down, feigning helplessness. “Fine, then. I’ll be the one you dumped, okay?”

“You go,” he shot back, his voice low and filled with menace.

I pushed him away, but he caught my wrist, pinning me against the wall with a fierce grip. His words were laced with barely restrained anger as he spoke through gritted teeth: “You think this is what I care about?”

“Hannah, you can’t leave me without my permission,” Jayden said, his grip tightening on my wrist. The pressure was painful, and I felt tears spill over, tracing hot trails down my cheeks.

As soon as he saw my tears, the anger in his expression softened, and the strength in his hold lessened. “I’m sorry, Hannah. I was a little too excited and hurt you.”

I took that moment to push him away with all my strength, wiping my tears furiously. “Jayden, do you even realize how sick you are? Nicole is back, and you still want to provoke me!”

“Don’t tell me you love me,” I continued, my voice laced with frustration. “I don’t fucking believe it. You just want to play games with me. Why pretend to be affectionate?"

When it came to understanding Jayden, I was the only one in Florida who could truly see through him. He had married me only to manipulate Nicole into coming home. Men were like that, cradling one woman while holding another in their hearts. What Jayden feared most was that once Nicole became his wife, the idealized version of her would shatter.

His face darkened as the truth hit home. He stepped toward me, but I scolded him sharply.

“Hannah,” he said, his voice strained as I turned to leave, “when you’ve had enough of this fun, come back.”

No. I had wasted so many years chasing after him. I was determined to live my own life now.