Marrying My Ex-boyfriend's Rival

I broke up with Darren Fuller during the year he loved me the most.

He always told his friends that the person he wanted to marry was his first love.

The eight years we spent together became the biggest joke.

My child was cruelly killed by his first love.

Yet, he coldly pushed me away, saying he'd never seen someone as manipulative as me, using a non-existent child to frame his first love.

When I walked down the aisle with someone else, he cried and begged me. "I stayed by your side for eight years. How could you suddenly marry another man?"

1

Darren and I had been together for eight years, and we had agreed to get our marriage certificate on my 25th birthday.

This was also the fourth time I had been stood up.

Darren repeatedly assured me that we would definitely get the certificate on my birthday.

But once again, he broke his promise.

I waited at the courthouse all day, until 3 PM, making countless calls, none of which went through.

In that moment, my heart turned cold.

Something dark started to grow inside me.

I scrolled through my Facebook, trying to find some clues, but instead, I stumbled upon unexpected news.

Kelsey Gibson had returned to the country.

She was Darren's first love, the woman he had held in his heart for years.

In the picture, Kelsey was pushing a suitcase, and behind her, a man was holding a little girl. Although I couldn't see the man's face, I recognized the watch on his wrist.

It was a PASHA DE Cartier, the watch I bought for Darren with my first bonus. He loved it and wore it for many years.

I tried to deceive myself, thinking it wasn't Darren, just someone with the same watch.

But after being stood up for the fifth time, I couldn't help but feel suffocated.

I sent Darren a message.

Darren, if we don't get the certificate today, then let's not get married!

2

Late into the night, I heard the door creak open.

I turned my back to the door, pretending to be asleep.

Darren changed into his pajamas and lay down beside me, kissing my neck.

I struggled to move away, not wanting him to touch me.

Darren chuckled softly. "Still mad at me? There was an urgent issue at work today, something that could make or break the company, so I couldn't make it to get the certificate. Can we do it another day?"

I'm tired of waiting. I don't want to wait anymore. Let's break up.

In the dark, my face was expressionless, and my voice was cold.

A gleaming diamond necklace fell in front of me, but it wasn't what I wanted.

I got it from an auction. Do you like it? How about wearing it at the wedding?

Seeing him eager to please me, I softened.

After all, I had waited eight years, and I couldn't accept that everything I invested would go down the drain now that Kelsey was back.

When do you plan to get the certificate?

Friday. I asked someone, and Friday is a lucky day, perfect for getting the certificate.

Darren sounded serious, as if he wasn't joking.

What if you stand me up again?

Darren kissed my earlobe. "Then you can do whatever you want to me. You can punish me however you like."

I wasn't in the mood for his teasing and avoided his kiss. "If you stand me up again, I won't wait for you anymore. I'll pack up and go back home."

Darren kissed my cheek. "Just remember to take me with you then. Pack me up in your suitcase. I'll go through security with you."

I couldn't help but laugh and pushed him away. "Stop messing around."

I suddenly remembered how my period had been late these past few days, and I asked tentatively, "Do you prefer boys or girls?"

Darren turned on the light and looked at my stomach with caution. "Are you pregnant?"

3

My heart skipped a beat. I couldn't figure out what he was thinking.

Aren't you happy?

Darren realized his tone was off and explained. "The company is about to go public, and I have a lot on my plate. It's not a good time to have a baby."

I was fuming, unable to accept his reasoning.

He hugged me and gently coaxed me. "We're still young, and there's plenty of time ahead of us. Once the company goes public, you can have as many kids as you want. I'm just afraid I won't be able to take care of you both right now, and I don't want you to feel neglected."

I'm not pregnant. I was just asking.

Darren breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good."

I felt even worse.

He didn't want to get the certificate, nor did he want a child with me.

I still wanted to break up, but the words wouldn't come out.

Because I had invested eight years, pouring all my effort and savings into him.

Back then, when he had nothing, I gave him all my money and borrowed more from my parents to help him build his company.

I couldn't just walk away like that. I wasn't willing to give up!

The next day, I went to the hospital for a check-up.

When the results came back, I was stunned.

I really was pregnant.

But Darren wouldn't want this baby.

I didn't know what to do.

I definitely didn't want to abort it.

But if I didn't, Darren wouldn't welcome this baby!

I took out my phone and called Darren. It rang for a long time before he picked up.

Just as I was about to speak, I heard a lot of noise in the background, and then I overheard something that left me speechless.

Darren, you missed your chance with her once. Now that Kelsey is back, are you really going to let it slip away again?

4

I perked up my ears, eager to hear Darren's response.

I'm going to marry Nina.

And what about Kelsey? You two had such a dramatic love story back then. Have you really never thought about marrying her? I don't believe it. There's no way you're okay with that.

Darren was silent for a moment and then said, "I did want to marry Kelsey..."

I didn't want to hear the rest. I quickly hung up, and my tears burst out uncontrollably.

I couldn't believe that the man I had waited for eight years had betrayed me!

Back then, Darren and Kelsey's love was intense, and their breakup was equally dramatic.

Kelsey was leaving the country.

Darren didn't agree and even said that if she insisted on leaving, he would be with me instead.

Everyone knew how much I liked Darren, but in his eyes, I was just a backup!

Kelsey still left without looking back and hadn't returned all these years.

No wonder Darren kept standing me up. He had been waiting for Kelsey to return!

No matter how much I gave him, he always saw me as just a fallback!

When I burst into the room, everyone was stunned.

Not only were Darren and Kelsey there, but many of our old college friends as well.

At that moment, Kelsey's arm was still linked with Darren's.

When Kelsey saw me, she hurriedly pulled her hand back. "Nina, don't get the wrong idea. We were just playing a game."

I ignored her. I had no interest in competing with her, and even less interest in putting on a scene in front of so many familiar faces.

I walked straight toward Darren.

Seeing my expression, Darren reached out to me gently. "Nina, come here."

In the past, I would have obediently walked over, placed my hand in his, and sat in his lap.

But today, I hovered my right hand above his outstretched one, hesitating to place it down.

Darren's smile froze. "Nina?"

I threw down the ring.

With a sharp sound, the ring fell into his hand.

Darren, let's break up.

I don't agree!

Darren immediately refused and reached for my hand, trying to give the ring back.

I stepped back, not giving him the chance to refuse.

This isn't a discussion. It's a decision!

With that, I turned and walked away, not caring about what people said behind me.

I knew Darren's refusal wasn't out of love for me. It was because I had been the one to bring up the breakup first!

5

Darren's face darkened. He clearly hadn't expected me to suggest a breakup and angrily kicked over the drinks table in front of him!

Drinks and expensive liquor spilled all over the floor.

Friends nearby tried to console him.

Darren, don't worry. Nina has always been the most attached to you. Didn't she always act jealous like this before?

I bet she'll come back begging for reconciliation in less than three days.

I bet two days!

Darren still didn't chase after me. His expression softened a bit as he leaned back on the couch, lost in thought.

Kelsey leaned against him. "Don't worry. I'll go talk to Nina and explain it was all a misunderstanding."

With that, she turned and left.

People around them kept praising Kelsey.

Kelsey is so much more understanding. Darren, maybe it's for the best. You and Kelsey can finally pick things back up where you left off!

Darren just pursed his lips, saying nothing. He took out his phone and was about to make a call when he saw the 10-minute call record. He paused, startled!

When Kelsey reached the door, she noticed a piece of paper on the ground. She picked it up and, upon reading it, she widened her eyes in shock!

6

I took the elevator down to the first floor and was about to leave when Kelsey grabbed me.

Nina, it's been so many years, and you really haven't changed at all. Still as plain as ever, always ending up as a loser.

I had already broken up, and yet she still had the nerve to show off in front of me?

There was no way I was going to lose