Broken Hand, Unbroken Architect's Spirit

Chapter 4

Word Count: 785 | Released on: Today at 18:15

otte'

re apart, and I slappe

de, drunken confusion inst

insane, C

me that pendant. Why

eyes, and he instinct

r," he stammered. "I ju

er'? Like you just 'wanted me to host her'? Like you

of grievance and confus

e, making me think I was special, unique, the one who 'understo

n't expected me to see thr

ir. "Yes, maybe at first, there was a... resemblance. Ariel and I had a deep intellectual connection. But she was my stude

my hand, but I pu

coldly. "You fell in love with having a version of 'her.' Don't

oo emotional. That's why I hesitated to tell you. You women-always s

rs, my life, my choices, even my appearance-all to please you.

roared. "Our wedding is in two weeks! If you keep carrying on li

only strengthened my resolve. What he cared ab

tters to me anymore? Compared to my dignity? Compar

th. My mind was ma

ff, Bradley," I s

ace. "Impossible. This is impossible! Don't

lleagues, and your beloved Ariel that I will not marry a man who only saw me as a substi

d a small, exquisite box on the van

strength. It struck the wall beside Bradley with a du

d and fearful. It was the fi

Charlotte. Without

're already nothing, Bradley. And I'd rather be no

. If that's what you want, so be it. I'm leaving. When you

or, and the sound

rp scissors, grabbed my thick mane of long h

strand that fell felt like it was severing the past. When

irror. It wasn't perfect, but it was r

e and called Dylan Lott,

like a sedative, easi

y. "It's Charlotte. I... I need yo

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.”