Chapter 6
“Married?!”
“You’re getting married? To who?!”
Jace stared at me like his head was about to explode.
“To my fiancé, of course.”
I smiled sweetly and handed him the messages from my mom.
“I’ve agreed to go through with the family arrangement.”
“Jace, we’re over.”
I didn’t wait for a reaction. I couldn’t.
He tried to stop me, still clinging on.
But I pointed behind him and shouted-
“Zoey!”
Like clockwork, he turned around.
And I bolted straight through the security gate.
“Liar! Sloane Whittaker, you’re a damn liar!”
I didn’t turn back, but I could hear him shouting.
Calling me a liar.
Yeah, I lied.
But he was the one who lived a lie for nine whole years.
Nine years of love, and I didn’t even earn the title of his wife.
15:03
Nine Years Wasted–Now I’m Marrving Your Rival
Chapter 6
Fine. Then I’ll become someone else’s.
I made it onto the plane just before they closed the doors.
Right on time, we took off.
I leaned back, pulled down my sleep mask, and let myself rest.
Packing up nine years of my life had left me drained.
I closed my eyes.
And for the first time in forever… I had a good dream.
I dreamed I married a man who was already whole.
Who supported me without conditions.
Who took time off just to travel the world with me.
To chase the Northern Lights.
We shared every victory, and faced every risk together-
Through everything, side by side.
Three hours later, we landed at San Francisco International.
The second I stepped off the plane, nerves hit me like a wave.
I hadn’t been back in years, and it suddenly felt unfamiliar.
I looked around for the man Mom said would be picking me up.
But no one looked like they were waiting.
That old fear crept in again.
Maybe it was the trauma Jace left behind,
But the first sign of uncertainty, and I wanted to run.
15:03
Nine Years Wasted
Chapter 6
Still, I told myself–maybe it’s just a mix–up.
I pulled out my phone to call Mom.
light as it started ringing,
Someone tapped me on the shoulder.
turned, startled.
The man standing in front of me was tall. Really tall.
had to tilt my head back to look at him.
used to think Jace was good–looking…
ut compared to this man?
Not even close.
harp jawline, piercing eyes, perfectly chiseled features.
And the tiny mole near the bridge of his nose-
omehow made him even more unforgettable.
Miss Sloane Whittaker?” he asked.
I’m your fiancé. Lucian Graves.”
15:03
Nine Years Wast
