Page 126 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

“What are you planning to do?”

“Keep a close eye on her.”

She stares at me.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

I slowly lean back in my chair.

“If she’s hiding something, she’ll eventually make a mistake.”

Bianca nods, her eyes fixed on her hands.

“You’re right to be cautious. Me too… even though it pains me to admit it, I don’t fully trust her anymore.”

The room falls quiet.

“Are you sure about the wedding?” she asks.

She’s persistent. I’ll give her that, at least.

“Bianca…”

“Don’t tell me not to make things difficult. You’re the one deciding to call everything off two days before the ceremony.”

I don’t answer.

She shifts tactics. Her voice lowers, almost cautious.

“Are you with her?”

“No. Why would I go back to a woman who abandoned me and let me believe she was dead for two years?”

“Then I don’t understand. Why now? Why like this?”

I choose my words carefully. Cruel enough to hurt her, but not enough to reveal what I truly think of her.

“I’ve realized our relationship was built on the wrong foundation. To me, you were never more than a friend.”

The blow lands. She goes completely still.

And yet, I keep going.

“I’m incapable of loving you the way you deserve to be loved. You filled a void in my life, but it wasn’t love. Staying in this relationship wouldn’t be fair to either of us.”

The silence that follows is colder. Tighter.

I recognize that look.

She doesn’t believe it’s over.

She still thinks she can regain control.

“What if we gave it a few weeks? We could talk again once things have settled down...”

“It won’t change anything, Bianca.”