Chapter 1
When the CEO’s first love came back to town, the price was his pregnant wife disappearing without a word.
Month one.
He didn’t care.
He spent his days doting on his beloved Claire.
Month two.
His buddies started placing bets–how long until the wife came crawling back?
Month three.
Panic finally set in.
He sent people across all of Europe.
Still, not a trace of her.
From that day on, Raine Ellis became a name no one dared mention in Crestwood City.
But what no one knew was–every night, without fail, he missed her so much it drove him mad.
There’s a long–standing tradition in the Cross family: every year at Christmas, they host a private family–only gathering.
No outsiders allowed.
But this year, someone crashed it.
Claire.
My husband’s long–lost first love.
They walked in just as dinner had started.
Evan had his arm around Claire, and walked straight up to me like I wasn’t even there.
I stared at Evan’s happy face, and my eyes started to sting.
He’s the only man I’ve ever loved.
Three years of marriage–and I still never found a way into his heart.
11.50
I Canceled Our Wadding for My CFO Childhood Crush. Zero Regrets!
Chapter 1
“Get up.
This seat isn’t for you.”
Evan said it like it was nothing.
Didn’t care how many people were watching.
Of course it wasn’t my seat.
This was the seat reserved for Mrs. Cross.
On paper, I was Evan’s wife–sure.
But in his heart?
I was never the one.
Now that the real one was back in town, I was expected to step aside.
All eyes were on me.
Every glance felt like a blade carving into my skin.
But I didn’t have the courage to say no.
After all these years of swallowing my pride, I was used to it.
I was just about to stand up
when Evan pulled a black card from his pocket
and tossed it onto the table in front of me.
“That enough?”
Whispers buzzed across the table.
Laughter, disbelief.
Everyone knew what this was.
Three years of marriage, and this wasn’t the first time Evan had tried to buy my dignity.
He was one of the sharpest businessmen in Crestwood City–he really did know how to close a deal.
I didn’t say a word.
Evan looked surprised.
“What, three years in and you’re suddenly charging more?”
Chapter 1
Just like that,
he threw my pride on the ground and stomped on it.
I dropped my gaze, about to reply–but Claire beat me to it.
“Evan, come on,” she said sweetly.
“It’s Christmas dinner. Let’s not make a scene.”
She slipped off the Bluebell charm bracelet from her wrist, set it in my palm,
and gave me a look full of sympathy.
“This was my birthday gift from Evan.
It’s secondhand now,
but you might like it.”
I forced a smile and tried to hand it back, but Claire grabbed my hand.
She pointed at the ring on my finger, beaming like she just won something.
“Look, Raine! That ring was mine too.
I thought it was ugly and told Evan to toss it–never imagined you’d like it.
Nice to see it didn’t go to waste.”
The whole table went dead silent.
I didn’t have to look up to feel their stares.
The gossip. The pity.
I didn’t want their pity.
My hands curled into fists in my lap, nails digging into my palm.
With the last ounce of strength I had, I pulled off the ring and set it gently on the table.
As I turned to leave, Evan’s voice stopped me.
“Wait.”
“Don’t forget the card.”
That was the moment–the moment I heard my own heart shatter.
“Fine.”
412–nd Crch Zero Regrets!
22.9%
Chapter 1
Evan, there’s something I forgot to tell you.
I’m pregnant.
And this baby?
It has nothing to do with you.
