He Begged the Moment he Learned I'm done

I couldn’t contain my happiness as I hurried to the bridal boutique, clutching the pregnancy test results. In just weeks, my boyfriend Jax and I would be married, and now, our future was even brighter because of this baby.

The boutique’s bell chimed as I stepped inside, scanning the room. My heart pounded, eager to find him and share the news.

Then I heard it. His voice. Low, casual, speaking in smooth French. Jax used to speak French whenever he was with his friends. I didn’t know how to at first until I decided to recently learn the language so I won’t be out of place when they were talking.

I slowed my steps, drawn toward the conversation happening near the fitting rooms.

“You married Tania yesterday at the civil registry,” Joseph’s voice cut through the air. “And now you’re going to continue marrying Lorraine? What if she learns about this mess?”

My breath hitched. My fingers tightened around the pregnancy test hidden in my palm. What are they talking about?

Marry Tania? Her deceased brother’s fiancee?

Jax exhaled sharply. “After my brother died in the accident, I didn’t have a choice. I had to marry Tania to support them—her and the child.”

A pause. Did I hear that right?

“This is just for my brother,” Jax continued, his voice eerily calm. “It’s not like Lorraine would ever know I’m faking our marriage. If you shut your mouth, she’ll never find out.”

My stomach dropped. My vision blurred, and suddenly, it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room. My pulse pounded in my ears, drowning out everything but the sharp sting of betrayal.

Joseph’s voice lowered when he noticed me. “She’s here. What if she understands French?”

Jax laughed. “How could she? She’s just beauty without a brain.”

A sharp pang stabbed through my chest.

“Truth be told, I only love her because of her family’s money. Once our companies merge, I’ll find a way to dispose of her so I can be with Tania forever,” he added.

Joseph scoffed. “So you’ve always wanted Tania?”

“Well, yes,” Jax admitted. “But my brother was always in the picture, so I couldn’t do anything—until the accident happened. And why would I choose just one when I can have them both? This way, I benefit from both women.”

I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. The man I had loved for four years, the man I was about to marry, was standing just feet away, planning my destruction. How could he do this to me?

Jax turned then, his face a picture of feigned innocence. “Lorraine, hey, baby. You’re here. I was waiting for you.” His tone was soft, careful, as if he hadn’t just confessed to using me.

I forced a smile, clutching the pregnancy test tighter in my palm. “Yes, you seemed busy talking to Joseph. What were you two talking about?”

He glanced at Joseph. “We were just discussing business. You know how things are before a wedding—stressful.”

I nodded, barely hearing him over the ringing in my ears. The weight of our entire relationship crashed down on me. The way he always asked for favors, how he needed financial help for his company, the subtle manipulation, the gaslighting—it all made sense now. I had mistaken his greed for love.

“I see. Then you shouldn’t have come here. I can do this alone.”

“Of course not, baby!” He kissed me, and I almost gagged. How could he lie to my face for four years? I had never once doubted his love, but I was wrong. He had cared for Tania all along—even when his brother was still alive. I thought their closeness was just family. But for him, it had always been love.

“You know how I always wanted to be part of our wedding plans. It was our special day.” He smiled.

I smiled back and didn’t argue. I didn’t have enough energy to do so. The bridal fitting passed in a blur. I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I simply endured, knowing I would never let Jax control me again.

The moment I stepped outside, I pulled out my phone and dialed the one person who could fix this.

“Mom,” I said. “About the marriage deal… does it still stand?”

A pause. Then, sharp concern. “Why? What happened? Did Jax do something?”

“He betrayed me, Mom. And I’m coming home soon.” My grip tightened around the test in my hand. “So you can prepare for that wedding you’ve been telling me about.”