Proposal #66: Now He Wants a Baby With His Stepsister?

To celebrate Fiona's pregnancy, Simon threw a grand party. I had no way to refuse. He practically dragged me there.

What I didn't expect was that the party would be held in the city's most luxurious hotel, the very same venue as our canceled wedding. Under Simon's meticulous planning, the party was even more extravagant than our wedding.

The moment I stepped into the banquet hall, memories of being abandoned and publicly humiliated came crashing back. Overwhelmed with disgust, my whole body trembled as I numbly sank into a chair in a corner.

Meanwhile, Simon escorted Fiona around, clinking glasses with guests. At one point, they even slow-danced as orchestra music filled the room. They looked more like a devoted husband and wife than me and him could ever be.

I retracted my gaze, turning my focus to the wine glass in my hand instead. That was when a group of drunken men suddenly approached me.

"Hey, miss. Drinking all alone?"

"Hold on. Isn't she the bride who got dumped at the altar a few days ago? Simon Hepworth's fiancee?"

"Since your fiance doesn't want you, why not have some fun with us instead?"

They closed in step by step, one of them even reaching out to grab my waist. Terror surged through me. I didn't know where the strength came from, but I shoved one of them away and ran off in a panic.

I didn't see where I was going, and I slammed right into Fiona. She shrieked and fell backward, red wine splashing all over herself as her glass shattered on the floor.

The music stopped. The chatter died. A crowd circled around us.

My head was still reeling when I felt someone shove me hard. I hit the floor, my palm landing on the glass shards. A sharp pain shot through me.

Stunned, I looked up to see who had pushed me. It was Simon.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? Fiona is pregnant! I've had it with your tantrums. What if something happened to her baby?" he furiously yelled at me before sweeping Fiona into his arms and rushing out of the room.

Whispers broke out from the crowd.

"So, she's the one who got left at the altar? I thought she was the victim, but it turns out she's vicious."

"Why is she still clinging on? She should just accept her fate and let Fiona have Simon."

"No wonder Simon hates her. Who'd want to marry a woman like that?"

I felt myself reliving the same scene, listening to the same cruel judgment.

I couldn't take it anymore. I turned and bolted out of the banquet hall.