---- Chapter 198 On our engagement day, | discovered countless erotic photos of my fiance with another woman on his laptop. Eight years with him, and this was my reward. Betrayal, raw and unforgiving, clawed at me. Immediately, | booked a flight to Fiassi, a flight scheduled to depart on our wedding day. This had to end. | called my boss. "Mr. Rowland, I've decided. I'll take the Fiassi job." His surprise was palpable. "Fantastic. I'll get the team on it.

But your wedding..." "No problem," | managed, my voice trembling. ---- Tears streaming down my face, unseen by him, as | ended the call. It was the first time I'd ever touched Antonio Kaufman's computer. We'd started at the same company after graduation, different departments, separate lives. Tonight, he was at a bachelor party, his phone off. His boss, desperate for a proposal, contacted me. That was when | saw those photos. Eight years of memories flooded back.

No snapshots of us, not a single trace on his phone. ---- My pleas for shared photos were always dismissed: "We see each other every day. No need for pictures." But it wasn't about the need; he simply wasn't invested in me. Then, his friend's words from our engagement party resurfaced. "| thought Antonio would be a bachelor forever for Mandy's sake! You're actually getting married? Are you sure you're not doing it in a fit of pique?" | hadn't notice the guilty look in Antonio's eyes then.

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"Our marriage is based on love!" I'd declared, my voice ringing with a confidence | no longer felt. Shaking, | closed his laptop. A breakup text was ready to send, but his ---- response to my wedding dress message from yesterday was absent. His Facebook profile was a void -- a blank canvas except for one line: "I'm waiting for someone to come back." Awry smile played on my lips. He had someone else.

I'd always thought Antonio was simply introverted, but my naivety was breathtaking I'd questioned that bio countless times; he'd never explained. Now it was chillingly clear. Three days until our wedding. The countdown on my phone's wallpaper mocked me ---- Tears blurred my vision as | stared at the relentless ticking seconds. Then, the call from Antonio's friend. "Grace, Antonio is wasted. Come get him." In the background, | heard Antonio's slurred voice.

"Mandy, don't leave me..." A sharp pain pierced my chest. Before going to fetch him, | discarded our matching couple gear -- usless trinkets now. As | approached the private room, laughter spilled out. "Hey, Mandy, what brings you back today? Regretting Antonio's wedding?" Mandy Delacruz was there.