I Married the Better Brother

Monica's birthday party took place on a cruise ship.

The whole ride over, Owen clung to my hand like a life raft, as if I'd take off running if he let go. But the moment his eyes landed on Monica, he ditched me, making a beeline for her and wrapping his arm around her waist as if he had every right to.

"Happy birthday, babe. This is your gift," he said.

He popped open a little box, revealing a sapphire necklace that took my breath away. I knew it right away. That was the one and only "Ocean's Heart". The sentiment it was meant to express was the giver's love being deeper than the sea.

I had mentioned to Owen that I wanted that necklace just a month ago.

He had scowled and gotten snippy with me. "Why are you so greedy? Haven't I bought you enough necklaces already?"

Now, I was watching him put that very same necklace on Monica with his own hands.

I couldn't handle it. I walked off and found a spot by the railing, letting the sea breeze wash over me.

All of a sudden, Monica's voice came from behind me. "Mia, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your wedding yesterday."

I spun around to say something, but she suddenly grabbed my hand and went over the railing, yanking me into the sea with her.

I couldn't swim. I flailed helplessly in the freezing water, screaming my head off. Through the blur, I saw a figure jump down from the ship. It was Owen, but he didn't even give me a second glance. He swam straight toward Monica.

The saltwater was flooding my nose, and the sense of suffocation was crushing me. I thrashed my arms around, screaming for help, but all I could see was Owen pulling Monica out of the water and back onto the ship.

They didn't toss me a life ring until I was wiped out and about to go down for good. I clung to it with everything I had.

After a long struggle, I finally made it back onto the deck. But Owen just gave me the cold shoulder instead of checking if I was alright. He barked, "Why'd you push Monica? You'd better apologize to her right now."

I was drenched, shaking from the cold, and my lungs felt like they were on fire. "Push her? I didn't. She yanked me down with her—"

I couldn't stop myself from coughing.

Owen wasn't buying it. "Stop lying. Monica said you pushed her. I get that you're holding a grudge, but how could you stoop to something like this? You need to apologize to her right now."

I was in disbelief. I bit down hard on my lip and said nothing.

Owen whipped out his phone and called Anderson Hospital. "Pull the plug on Ms. Jones' treatment. Effective immediately."

I went white as a sheet. "No! I'll apologize. Just don't bring my mom into this!"

I was shaking as I walked over to Monica and lowered my head. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Morgan. I shouldn't have pushed you."

Monica wasn't having it. She held onto Owen's arm and whined, "Honey, she nearly killed me! She should be on her knees right now!"

I stared at Owen in shock.

He just gave a cold nod. "You heard her. Get on your knees and apologize to Monica."

My teeth were chattering, and I could taste blood from where I'd bitten my lip. In the end, I swayed on my feet and dropped to my knees.

"I'm sorry."

I had to do it for Mom. I had no other choice.

Monica had a look of pure victory in her eyes as she put on a generous act. "It's fine, Mia. You're forgiven."

I looked up at Owen. "Can you call off your order now?"

He met my dead-eyed stare and froze for a beat, a flash of something like worry crossing his face. He was just about to make a call when Monica latched onto his arm. "I'm freezing, honey. Come in with me while I change, will you?"

The second she said that, Owen tucked his phone away, scooped her up, and walked away.

I tried to follow, but his bodyguards blocked my path. "Nobody gets into his cabin without his say-so. Mr. Anderson's orders."

I begged and yelled, but they wouldn't budge. I finally gave up and frantically dug for my phone, only to find it soaked and totally dead. I was about to lose it, but thankfully, a kind lady who'd seen the whole thing lent me her phone. I didn't know the hospital's number, and my calls to Mom went straight to voicemail.

Suddenly, Chris' face popped into my head. I remembered seeing him write down his phone number when we registered our marriage, and I had memorized it. The call connected almost instantly.

My voice was all shaky and teary. "Chris, please, my mom's at your family's hospital, and Owen's trying to cut off her treatment..."

His calm, steady voice came through the line and somehow calmed me right down. "I hear you. I'll call the hospital right now. Take care of yourself."

After I ended the call, my body gave out, and I slumped to the floor.

The nice woman looked at me with a worried face and gave me a handkerchief. "You need to dump that guy. He's a total jerk to you."

I froze for a second. Then, the waterworks started. I was a mess of emotions—pissed, heartbroken, and totally humiliated.

Through the tears, I shook my head. "It's fine. I'm already married. Just not to him."