Redemption of first love
Chapter 1
The day before I was supposed to marry Ethan Holt, his precious sweetheart, Serenity
Bell, got wasted at some dive bar, completely
heartbroken.
Turns out, some scumbag took advantage of
her.
She lost the baby she was carrying. Then, on
what was supposed to be my wedding day,
she jumped off the damn hotel roof, crying
her eyes out.
Ethan’s eyes went red staring down at her
body.
After we got married, Ethan was all about
being the perfect husband. A total 180 from
how he used to treat me cold, dismissive,
like I was invisible.
Then, I got pregnant. Ethan was suddenly
<
brewing me these special “pregnancy teas,”
so thoughtful.
I took one sip of that crap, and it felt like my
insides were being ripped apart.
Ethan just stood there, watching me scream
in agony, a sick, twisted grin on his face.
He said, his voice like ice, “You got your
wedding, you got your baby, sweetheart!”
“Now we’re even. Time to settle the score for
what you did to Serenity.”
“You killed her, you killed their baby. I’m
going to make you feel every ounce of her
despair, a thousand times over!”
I just stared at him, horror and betrayal
flooding me, looking at the man I’d loved for
years.
Then everything went black. I bled out and
died.
And now? I’m back. Reborn. It’s the day
before I’m supposed to marry Ethan Holt.
<
- 1.
I’m sitting in the living room of this freaking
mansion, looking around like I’m in a daze.
I pinch my thigh, hard. Damn, that hurts.
This is real. I really am back.
I’m freaking thrilled, yeah, but there’s this
weird feeling in my gut too.
Last time, Ethan was my whole world. I
poured everything into him.
And he never gave a damn about me.
All that love, all that effort…wasted.
Not this time. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that
I’m never going down that road again.
Just as I’m making that promise to myself,
Ethan walks in, with her. Serenity.
Ethan’s clearly drunk, and Serenity’s
practically holding him up. She gives me this
strained little smile.
“Hailey,” she says, “Ethan had a few too
many with some friends at lunch. Hope you
don’t mind.”
Before I can even answer, Ethan’s snapping at Serenity, “Why are you explaining yourself to her? I don’t need to ask her permission to have a drink, do I?”
Then he gives me this look, pure disgust.
“Hailey Stewart, listen up. Just because we’re getting married doesn’t mean you own me. Stay–at–home wife material, that’s all I want from you. I’ll play the part in public, but if you try to control me, you’ll regret it.”
Seeing Serenity playing the innocent act and Ethan with his drunken, hateful stare, it all comes rushing back to me. Every. Single.
Horrible. Detail.
I always knew they were hooking up behind
my back. Last time, I was too pathetic to do
anything about it.
But now? My love for Ethan is gone.
Hell, I don’t even want to look at him
<
anymore.
I say, cool as ice, “Don’t worry. I won’t be
interfering in your life at all.”
Ethan and Serenity both blink, like I just
slapped them.
I guess my calm, detached attitude is a shock
to the system. Whatever.
Ethan frowns. “You serious? Or is this some
kind of game you’re playing?”
I say, “Ethan, I couldn’t be more serious. From
now on, your life is your business.”
“And the wedding? I’m not going. You always
wanted Serenity, right? Go for it.”
- 2.
Ethan and Serenity stare at me like I’ve grown
a second head.
Then Ethan smirks, all arrogant. “You think I
believe that, Hailey? Really?
“You’ve done everything to get me. You really
going to walk away now?”
going to walk away now?”
“I already told you, I’m not playing games.
According to our prenup, as long as you stay
out of my business, you’re always Mrs. Holt in
public.”
Serenity’s eyes flick around, calculating. She
puts on her pathetic voice. “Hailey, you and
Ethan are getting married tomorrow. Don’t
say things you’ll regret!”
“If you don’t show up, what will people think?
It’ll humiliate Ethan.”
“I know you don’t like me, but don’t worry. I
won’t be around anymore. I won’t see Ethan
again. I’ll quit my job today.”
“I wish you both all the happiness in the
world!”
Serenity’s eyes are red, and she squeezes out
a couple of fake tears, like she’s the one
being wronged. Then she turns and runs out
of the house, sobbing.
<
Ethan loses it. He grabs my neck, his fingers.
digging in. “Are you freaking kidding me,
Hailey?”
“You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You
wanted to drive Serenity away.”
“What the hell is wrong with you? You’ve
become such a toxic bitch!”
Toxic?
Compared to what you did to me last time,
this is nothing.
I pry his fingers off my neck, gasping for air.
“I mean it, Ethan. Believe it or not, I’m not
going to that wedding tomorrow.”
Ethan laughs, but it’s an ugly sound. “Fine.
You want to make me look like a fool?
“Okay. I’ll have Serenity take your place at the
altar. Then we’ll see who’s the fool!”
He storms out, slamming the door, off to
comfort his precious Serenity.
I rub my neck, where his fingers left a burning
L
ache.
Last time, he drove me to the point of
insanity, then death. Those memories are still burned in my brain.
This time, I want nothing to do with him. No
strings attached.
Rip the band–aid off. End it now.
I was so naive before. Now I’m awake. And
I’m sure as hell not jumping into that fire again.
I drag out my suitcase and start packing. Night falls, and Ethan doesn’t come back. Before I leave, I light some incense for
Ethan’s parents.
