Broken Hand, Unbroken Architect's Spirit

Author: Priority

Chapter 1

Word Count: 683 | Released on: Today at 18:15

pte

otte'

lt a perfect life wit

m when he said, "Just a little m

ircle, and thriving careers. I thought I kne

was

ut me. I was nothing but a temporary substitute, a charac

tudent, and she look

professor at the university, and he'd been captivated

th a genuine smile and praised my inn

p-and-coming architectural designer. His at

late, and brilliant. W

the river, city lights shimmering on the w

te me. This is everyth

ested my head

about our shared dreams,

rted each other's careers. I landed a position at a top architecture firm, while Bradley's academic career flourished. H

nt felt like a

ey won an important award for his research, I found him standing at the apartment window, his g

ered, "you did it.

yes fixed on som

s wonderful. But it's still mis

ightly, stud

"What could possibly be miss

s head with a fa

replied, pulling me closer. "Probabl

further. I believed h

ticipate his needs, to fill

long-the "classic and elegant" st

aste. I even learned to appreciate his preferred classica

im, because I wanted to be the pe

d the lease on our ideal penthouse apartment, he stood on th

ly spectacular. But it's still m

architectural design competition-a major mil

scanning my portfolio. "Your talent is undeniable

sed him, giving h

oked. "What is it this time? A se

, private look in his ey

said. I put his needs first, believing my devotion would eventually mak

etcher returne

Chapter End

Claim Your Bonus at the APP

Open

Broken Hand, Unbroken Architect's Spirit

Priority Short stories

“I poured everything I had into it-staked my entire life's plan-all for one thing: building a perfect future with my fiancé. But everything I'd given my whole heart to, everything I'd raced toward with everything I had, couldn't withstand the betrayal he'd hidden in the shadows. He stole my pendant and my wedding gown and gave them to the female student he'd secretly been infatuated with. I threw myself forward, desperate to take back what was rightfully and entirely mine. But for that woman, he swept an entire row of clothing racks crashing down. The hard metal frame slammed into my arm, shattering it completely. My career as a gold-medal architect-something I'd guarded and built for years-was destroyed in that single moment. My chance to stand at the summit of my industry was gone forever. Bone-deep, searing pain tore through my body. I clutched my ruined arm, every last shred of restraint crumbling, and I wept in utter despair. But he just stood there, holding that female student's hand, and pronounced my verdict from on high: "Your hand is finished. You'll never be an architect again. From now on, Ariel will take your place." And then I understood. Through all those long years of sharing a life together, I had never been his one and only. I was nothing but a substitute-one that could be replaced at any time. So on the day of the wedding that was supposed to be ours, I walked into the ceremony hall step by step, arm-in-arm with the childhood friend who'd grown up beside me.”