From Wedding Vows to Goodbye — Novel

About

For twenty-two years, Samantha and Ethan were inseparable, childhood sweethearts destined for a fairy-tale ending—until a shocking betrayal shattered their dreams. On what should have been the happiest day of her life, Samantha finds herself not walking down the aisle, but fleeing from a love turned toxic. With her heart broken and her trust shattered, she escapes into a world of uncertainty, seeking solace abroad while Ethan spirals into madness, desperate to reclaim what he lost.

But as she navigates her new life, Samantha can't shake the haunting memories of Ethan's betrayal, nor the weight of the past that clings to her like a shadow. When a chance encounter with a familiar face threatens to upend her carefully crafted escape, she must confront the choices that led her to this moment. Can she reclaim her identity and find the strength to move forward, or will the ties of love and betrayal pull her back into Ethan's grasp?

In a tale of heartbreak and resilience, Samantha discovers that sometimes, the hardest goodbye is the one you never wanted to say. Will she find herself again, or will the echoes of her past continue to haunt her?

From Wedding Vows to GoodbyeChapter 1

After being a childhood sweetheart for twenty-two years, I finally received a proposal from Ethan Folden.

Our friends eagerly celebrated, teasing us to drink a cross-cup wine.

Shyly, I moved closer to Ethan with my wine glass, but the usual gentleman suddenly pushed me away with force.

I stumbled to the ground, shards of broken glass cutting into my palm.

Yet Ethan looked on coldly, scolding me for being shameless.

As I returned home from the hospital, I stumbled upon Ethan pressing his old flame, Lily Fischer, onto our marital bed, inching closer and closer to her.

“Will you come back? If you do, you’ll be the only bride for me,” he whispered.

Seeing them so entangled, I suddenly felt regret.

To avoid further humiliation, I chose to flee on our wedding day.

But after I left, the man who insisted on replacing me as the bride went mad searching for me across the world!

——

“Candace King, about that study abroad opportunity you mentioned last time… Is the spot still available?”

I tried to keep my voice steady as I spoke to my supervisor over the phone, standing under the dim streetlights.

Candace King paused, clearly puzzled by my question.