Dodged a Bullet

The next day, Winona somehow got a hold of my contact information and asked to meet me at a café in the city center. Coincidentally, this café was near the bridal shop I had planned to visit, so I decided to swing by.

While I waited, my phone buzzed with a flurry of messages. It was a video from Naomi, shot from a third-person angle by her boyfriend. It was followed by Naomi's ranting commentary.

The background of the video seemed to be from after the party had ended. Several of Heath's old friends were still lingering in the private room.

"Did you sleep with Winona?" one of them asked in shock.

Heath, holding a beer can, responded quietly, "I just can't get over Winona... and we were both drunk. It wasn't intentional. We talked about it afterward, and we agreed to stay friends. Julia won't find out. Even if she does, I'm still her best option. She'll marry me, be part of my family. As for Winona... this is just a pre-marriage fling. A late gift from God."

One of them scoffed. "Man, you're really a jerk."

It seemed like the person filming couldn't take it anymore and left, ending the conversation abruptly.

[Heath isn't worth it.

[Good thing you figured it out! Otherwise, marrying that kind of guy... who knows what kind of trouble you'd get into.]

As I read the texts, I felt someone sit across from me. Winona was suddenly sitting at the table, facing me.

"Ms. Harris, I hope... you'll leave Heath."

I nearly choked on my drink, stunned by her words. I never thought something so cliché, like a plot from a drama, would happen to me.

"What did you say?"

Winona hesitated for a moment, as if gathering her courage. She no longer had the bright, cheery energy from last night; instead, she seemed drenched in self-doubt and vulnerability.

"I wanted to give you and Heath my blessings, but after last night, I realized I just can't do it. Before, Heath's mother looked down on me because I came from a poor family. She forced me to leave. I backed down, unsure of the future. I didn't have the courage to stand by Heath's side. That was my biggest mistake. If I'd been brave enough, the one he'd be marrying..."

She trailed off, but I could hear the unspoken part of her sentence. Essentially, if she hadn't left, she would've been the one standing by Heath, ready to marry him.

"So?"

"So this time, I need to be brave—for myself and the child inside me. So, please, Ms. Harris, cancel the wedding and leave Heath."

I glanced down at the flatness of Winona's stomach, which the table partly obscured, and couldn't help but let out a small, mocking laugh.

"This is the 'just friends' relationship you were talking about? Sounds like you've got it all figured out. You've known even before a test could confirm it."

Winona looked at me, shocked, unable to believe I had seen through her.

"H-how did you—"

I raised my hand to stop her. Of course, I'd checked. My fiancé was cheating, and I wouldn't just let it slide.

A quick investigation revealed they'd met at an auto repair shop ten days ago, and five days ago, they had succumbed to their desires and slept together.

It wasn't until I was setting up a surprise at Heath's house, accidentally falling asleep in his study from exhaustion, that I discovered what had been happening.

If it hadn't been for that coincidence, one day, I might've had Winona, pregnant and demanding her place, confront me after I married Heath.

"Ms. Stone, since this child isn't mine, I don't see why you're asking me for anything. Whoever the father is should be the one you're seeking answers from. I can't exactly make you pregnant, can I?"

I made a subtle gesture toward the coffee in front of her. "By the way, I suggest you stop drinking coffee for now. It might make you too jittery and ruin your pipe dream."

Winona's face turned increasingly pale as I checked the time.

"The wedding dress designer is waiting for me. I'll be on my way now."

I turned to leave, but collided with a hurried Heath. I didn't need to guess who had called him.

I glanced between the two of them and rolled my eyes in silence.

Heath grabbed my wrist, halting my steps.

"Julia, we've picked out the dresses. Are you really going to change it last minute? You say you don't want to marry me, but I see right through you. You're playing hard to get now, huh?"