Not stealing the wind and moon

Amidst the cheering crowd, my fiancé snatched my bouquet. He dropped to one knee, not for me, but for my sister, Sarah. Tears welled in her eyes as she accepted. Just like that, the wedding was hers, and I became the laughingstock of the town. Then, out of the blue, Ethan Stone, the city's golden boy, swept in with a marriage proposal and a dazzling ring.

Married life with Ethan was a dream. He showered me with affection, and I, foolishly, gave him my heart. Then came my birthday party. Feigning sleep in his arms, nestled close to his heart, I heard him confess.

"I married the woman my beloved despises, just to clear her path."

1.

Each word struck me like a thunderbolt. There I was, pressed against him, listening to him pour out his love for Sarah. My blood ran cold, my world shattered. A moment of stunned silence in the room, then an eruption of cheers.

"Classic Ethan! Enduring a loveless marriage for his true love!"

"What a romantic! Secretly pining for Sarah all these years, even sacrificing his own happiness."

Ethan's voice, low and tender, reached my ears. "As long as Sarah's happy, I'd do anything."

One of his buddies joked, "Heard Sarah and Mark are heading for divorce. Looks like you'll be reunited with your sweetheart soon. What about… this one? When do you plan to break the news?"

Ethan paused, then said casually, "Amelia depends on me. I'll deal with that later. And don't mention anything in front of her. I don't want a scene."

Everyone readily agreed, no one daring to cross the golden boy. Someone, emboldened by liquor, quipped, "But hey, Ethan, you're not exactly losing out. A movie star wife must be pretty sweet."

Ethan chuckled, his fingers absentmindedly toying with my earlobe. "Yeah, pretty sweet."

I clenched my jaw, fighting back tears. I thought Ethan was my lifeline, my rescuer from the abyss. Turns out, he was the one who cut the rope. Seven years of marriage, now a cruel joke. Mark, Ethan… they both loved Sarah. No one loved me.

2.

The party ended, Ethan carried me to the car. "Amelia's asleep," he murmured to the driver. "Drive carefully." Still attentive, still caring. He even nuzzled my cheek as I "slept."

I leaned against him, memories flashing through my mind. Years ago, Mark, my childhood sweetheart, had left me at the altar. Overnight, I became the town's gossip. That's when Ethan appeared, offering marriage and a chance to escape the humiliation. He needed a stable, suitable wife to secure his position in the family business, and I, heartbroken and disillusioned, agreed. He gave me a lavish wedding, fireworks illuminating the skyline. I’d vowed to never love again, but his constant affection chipped away at my defenses. Now, I realized the honey-sweet jar I thought I was immersed in was actually filled with poison.

“Ethan,” I mumbled, pretending to wake up.

He instantly adjusted my position, settling me comfortably against his shoulder. “Honey, feeling rough after all that champagne? I’ll make you some ginger tea whe...