Choosing New Love Over Ex

Oscar Lane, the superstar singer, was doing a live stream when some eagle-eyed fans noticed something: "Hey man, why does your silver bracelet look kinda dull? Is it a fake?" That bracelet was a gift from me back when we were dating. I had said, "If times get really tough, sell it and let it help you follow your dreams." He scoffed, "Don’t kid yourself. A silver bracelet won't even cover a month's groceries." But Oscar, feeling a bit curious, cracked the bracelet open, revealing the solid gold core inside. 77 grams of gold, my entire savings back then. The love concealed beneath the silver surface was finally, albeit belatedly, discovered by him. --- I hadn’t updated my alternate Instagram account in four years. I'd forgotten the password myself. I never expected fans to dig it up. That account used to share snippets of our relationship.

Chapters

Chapter 2

I followed the crowd into the venue, my dress catching under my heel as I moved along the edge of the stage, causing me to stumble slightly. Panic surged through my mind. If I fell flat on my face, it would surely become headline news again.

Out of nowhere, a strong hand caught mine. "Easy there," came a voice, calm with a tinge of familiarity that sent a shiver down my spine.

Instinctively, I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened gently instead. I turned my head to meet the deep, familiar gaze of Oscar Lane.

"Meredith," he said softly, "it’s been a while."

Was this really the time for chit-chat?

The internet was already abuzz with the story of my past with Oscar. Cameras honed in on us, capturing every moment.

In the blaze of flashing lights, I forced a perfect smile, the kind sharp enough to cut glass, and managed to hiss through clenched teeth, "Oscar, let go."

His cool fingers lingered on my wrist for a moment longer before he finally released me. Yet, the warmth remained, leaving my thoughts in a tangled mess.

In the past four years, Oscar and I had barely crossed paths. Even when attending the same events, we pretended not to know each other. Why was he making such an open gesture now?

Predictably, as soon as the gala ended, Oscar and I were trending online once more. A media outlet captured a photo that fans called iconic. In the picture, Oscar and I locked eyes—me in a deep blue Victorian-style gown, him in a dark suit, exuding elegance and chemistry. A beam of light highlighted our clasped hands.

Oscar's eyes showed undeniable emotions.

Fans went wild:

[These two are a sight for sore eyes.]

[I just became a fan yesterday, and today they’re giving us sweet moments! This is a treasure trove!]

[Meredith! Oscar! Rekindle the romance, right here, right now!!!]

[Oscar's look, seriously, if he gave me that gaze, I'd drag him straight to the altar.]

[Come on, it's obvious they haven’t moved on. Get back together already, and I’ll chip in for the wedding!]

[Doesn’t anyone wonder why they broke up in the first place?]

I didn’t expect that while scrolling through Twitter to gauge the buzz about us, I’d receive a direct message from Oscar.

Oscar: [Are you there?]

Me: [What’s going on?]

We had deleted each other’s contact information after our breakup four years ago. Now, the only way he could reach me was through Twitter.

Oscar: [Meredith, I’ve always wanted to ask, do you regret breaking up?]

...Do I regret it?

This question has haunted me on many sleepless nights. Memories of my past with Oscar play out like a carousel in my mind. Yet, they always freeze on the moment when he said, "You’d do anything for money. How is that any different from selling yourself on the street?!"

It was like a brutal punch, shattering a mirror, the beautiful moments falling to pieces.

Me: [I don’t regret it.]

Oscar: [But I do.]

I couldn’t help but smile wryly: [You’re using your main Twitter account to chat with me. Aren’t you worried I might expose you or use it to stir up gossip for publicity?]

Oscar: [I’m not worried, because you wouldn’t.]

True. Although our breakup wasn’t amicable, we haven’t tangled or bad-mouthed each other over the years. We’re quite dignified exes, really.

I was about to go to sleep when my phone buzzed again.

Oscar: [My mom's anniversary is coming up. Will you come with me? Just to give her peace.]

I glanced at the calendar on my phone:

November 25th—Create event—Visit Sapphire Green's memorial.

I replied: [Okay.]

Continue to next part

The day my adoptive brother's lover falsely accused me of pushing her into the lake, I was kidnapped. It wasn't until the third day that I was finally rescued. Limping barefoot to the car, I saw Maxwell, the brother I had loved for eight years, roll down the window. He looked at me with a furrowed brow. "Esperanza, you're too disheveled. Sit in the car behind us." I caught a glimpse of his lover sitting beside him, and with a pale face, I got into the other car and was driven to the hospital for treatment. During my stay, I received a recording. Amidst the noisy background, someone asked Maxwell, "Maxwell, Esperanza is so fragile, aren't you worried she'll turn against you when she finds out you took so long to rescue her?" Maxwell laughed softly, his voice smooth and detached. "Those kidnappers were hired by me. They know their boundaries and won't harm her too much.

Modern Mystery Romance

8.9

Bought By The Cold Billionaire Husband

8.9

I sold myself into a loveless marriage for $500,000 just to afford my little niece's life-saving surgery. But my new husband, Kash, despised me, completely convinced I was a shameless gold-digger after his assets. At 2:00 AM, he called to demand I fulfill my end of our twisted bargain: giving him an heir. He forced me to sign a supplementary agreement surrendering all custody rights before I was even pregnant, treating me like a rented womb he bought at auction. When my niece's condition suddenly worsened and I desperately begged him for a $50,000 advance, he hurled a black credit card directly at my face, leaving a stinging red welt. "Take the money and get out," he sneered, his eyes filled with absolute disgust. He immediately set up real-time transaction alerts to track my every purchase, waiting to catch me on a selfish shopping spree. He thought I was a parasite, completely unaware that every single penny went straight to the pediatric intensive care unit. Even my abusive former guardians cornered me at the fertility clinic, loudly mocking me for selling my body while my niece was dying. I endured the degrading contracts, the cold IVF appointments, and Kash's relentless contempt, suffocating under the weight of his cruel assumptions. Why did he have to strip away my dignity when he already owned my life on paper? But as I clutched the hospital receipt that finally secured my niece's surgery, the fear inside me died. With a new career starting tomorrow and a high-powered lawyer suddenly stepping in to audit my stolen inheritance, I was done playing the helpless victim. I was going to show my arrogant husband exactly what happens when you push a desperate woman too far.

Billionaire Modern Romance

9.8

Discovering My Husband and His Sister's Forbidden Love

9.8

Emma’s life shatters in a single evening. One moment, she’s walking into her mother-in-law’s home with a warm apple pie and her little boy’s laughter ringing in her ears. The next, she’s being accused of seducing her brother-in-law—and slapped in front of her family. Blindsided and betrayed, Emma watches in horror as her husband, David, turns against her, her sister-in-law weeps crocodile tears, and the web of lies tightens around her. Overnight, she becomes an outcast: abandoned by friends, shunned by neighbors, even suspended from her job after Margaret calls her employer with whispers of a “mental breakdown.” Emma knows she’s innocent. But someone—Rebecca—is determined to destroy her. And when a terrified James hints at dark secrets he can’t reveal, Emma realizes this is bigger than a simple false accusation. To save her marriage, her child, and her sanity, Emma must uncover the truth before Rebecca’s lies destroy everything she loves. But the closer she gets to answers, the clearer it becomes: Rebecca isn’t just lying. There's much more behind it. And most horribly, Emma's husband seems involved...

Modern Mystery Romance

9.1

Exposing My Lover's Betrayal in Stolen Research

9.1

The applause still rang in my ears as I gathered my presentation materials. Five years of relentless work had culminated in today's internal review meeting, where I'd unveiled my breakthrough drug formulation to the institute's scientific community. "Emilia, that was extraordinary work," Dr. Chen said, squeezing my arm as she passed. "The way you've reformulated the molecular structure while maintaining bioavailability—I've never seen anything like it." I smiled, still a bit dazed by the overwhelmingly positive response. "Thank you. It's been quite a journey." "Quite a journey indeed," echoed Professor Robertson, appearing at my side. My mentor's eyes crinkled with pride behind his wire-rimmed glasses. "Let's walk." As we stepped into the hallway, he placed a weathered hand on my shoulder. "This work will secure your legacy in the field, Emilia.

Modern Mystery Romance

7.5

Fake Marriage Ruined, She Married The Tycoon

7.5

Five years of a fake marriage to a billionaire. Christi thought she was a wealthy wife-until City Hall told her the truth. No marriage license. No legal rights. Nothing but a lie. Her husband cheated on her for four years. His entire family mocked her, used her, and planned to trap her with a baby. She was ready to ruin them all. Then a secret changed everything: Her late parents were DARPA elites. She is the sole heir to $50 billion. There's only one catch-marry Cornelius Gregory, Wall Street's ruthless paralyzed tycoon. She signs the contract in an instant. Freeze their accounts. Destroy the Rivera family. The game is over for them. And the queen has just arrived.

Billionaire Modern Romance

9.5

My Fiancé Chose His Mistress Over Ninety-Nine Proposals

9.5

The tenth time I attempted to have our wedding, Jaxson once again didn't show up. I called him to ask why, forgetting my phone was still connected to the banquet hall's sound system. Everyone heard the scandalous sounds that made my cheeks burn. "Lilah, today the team at work organized a hike. We're about to reach the summit, so let's talk about the engagement party another time. Gotta go." A wave of disappointment swept through the crowd, and even the waitstaff looked at me with pity. After ninety-nine proposals, Jaxson had only begrudgingly agreed to our engagement, yet he never actually attended any of our celebrations. I quietly removed my veil and dropped the engagement ring into the fountain. After seven years of trying to make it work, my constant humility and concessions only led to his increasingly blatant betrayals. Humiliated by the tenth failed attempt, I resolved to let go.

Billionaire Modern Romance

Choosing New Love Over Ex

Chapter 2

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