The Billionaire's Broken BrideChapter 1
I had loved Connor Delgado in secret for fifteen years. In the fifteenth year, our families finally agreed to a marriage alliance.
At the altar, Connor shoved a ring onto my finger. It was a full size too big. As it slid loosely past my knuckle, I caught a glimpse of the engraving on the inner band.
They weren't my initials. They belonged to him and Jade Winfield.
After the vows were spoken, Connor leaned in, his voice a freezing whisper against my ear.
"You stole Jade's life. Did you really think you could steal her fiancé, too?"
——
The ring slipped from my finger and clattered onto the floor. Before the echo died, Connor's younger sister let out a sharp laugh from the front row.
"She's a cripple," she sneered, loud enough for every guest to hear. "How dare she fantasize about marrying my brother?"
"Mediocre and a thief," another voice added. "She should just go to hell."
Connor's lips curled into a smirk. The guests whispered and pointed. My parents stood abruptly, faces ashen, trembling with suppressed rage.
Leaning on my cane, I watched the ring—the one that never belonged to me—roll down the steps and vanish into the confetti.
"Mom, Dad," Connor addressed his parents, his tone venomous. "Take a good look at the daughter-in-law you've chosen."
The screen behind us flickered to life. Image after image scrolled by.
Photos of me. In disarray. In bed with a man who wasn't Connor.
"I, Connor Delgado, will not marry a woman this filthy," he declared.
I stared at the screen, hollow. A cold numbness spread through my chest. I didn't react because I already knew.
It had happened last weekend, right after the engagement announcement. Connor had summoned me to a private room—ostensibly to talk, but really to punish me on Jade's behalf.
Jade had plied me with alcohol until the room spun. Then Connor threw me to one of his friends, manufacturing these photos to destroy my reputation.
But they didn't know the truth. The man in the photos wasn't Connor's buddy.
I didn't refute the accusation. Instead, my mouth twisted into a broken smile.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law," Connor continued, twisting the knife. "This is your 'good' daughter. A shameless slut who disgraces the family name."
He stepped closer to my parents. "Do you regret it now? You had eyes but no vision. You claimed the wrong daughter and got this counterfeit instead."