The Bride He Left Behind
Chapter 1
The morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of Edwards & Co., casting golden streaks across the sleek marble floors. A sense of focus and quiet ambition buzzed through the air, keyboards clicked in rhythm, heels tapped steadily, and the scent of roasted coffee lingered at every turn.
Rose Kurt stood near the reception desk, neatly dressed in a gray pencil skirt and crisp white blouse. Her black hair was gathered in a simple bun, and her eyes, always alert, scanned the tablet in her hand as she reviewed the meeting schedules for the day. She had only been at Edwards & Co. for four months, but her diligence had already caught the attention of several executives including one she tried hard not to think about too much: Diego Edwards himself.
Suddenly
A loud scream shattered the air.
“You’re so pathetic! You disgust me!”
All heads turned toward the commotion, just in time to see Julia Raymond, her heels clicking furiously, storm toward the center of the lobby. Her perfectly styled blonde curls bounced with each stride, her blue designer dress hugging her curves like a second skin. Her eyes were ablaze, and her red lipstick seemed to burn brighter with fury.
Rose froze.
“I trusted you, and this is how you repay me?” Julia's voice rang out again, echoing off the high ceilings.
Rose’s eyes widened. “Ma’am, I—I don’t understand.”
Her voice trembled. She stood helplessly, tablet forgotten in her hand, like a child cornered by accusations she couldn’t comprehend.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she forced herself to stay composed. A small crowd began to gather, murmuring quietly among themselves.
“I gave you my bags to drop in Diego’s office,” Julia spat. “And now my jewelry is gone. My diamond earrings, my crystal bracelet are gone!”
“I didn’t take your jewelry. I swear!” Rose’s voice broke. “I would never”
“SHUT UP!” Julia's hand whipped out and slapped Rose across the face.
The sound cracked through the room like a gunshot.
A collective gasp rippled through the office. Rose staggered back slightly, her cheek burning, tears slipping down her face now without restraint.
“I knew it,” Julia hissed. “You’re just another social climber trying to grab what doesn’t belong to you.”
Rose clutched her hands tightly together, trying to stop them from shaking.
“Security!” Julia shrieked. “Search her!”
Two men in navy uniforms hurried toward them.
“Don’t just stand there search her now!” she commanded.
Just then, a low voice sliced through the tension. “What the hell is going on here?”
Heads turned. And there he was.
Diego Edwards.
Six-foot-two, broad-shouldered, and every inch the commanding presence of a man born to lead. His tailored suit hugged his body like silk armor, and his dark, rounded eyes scanned the room with quiet authority. The entire lobby fell into silence the moment he stepped in.
Diego’s gaze fell on Rose, her red cheek, the tears on her face, the helplessness in her expression and then on Julia, whose arms were crossed triumphantly.
“Search her?” Diego repeated coolly. “And who gave you the authority to give orders in my company?”
Julia's confident posture faltered, just slightly.
“She stole my jewelry,” she said, regaining her voice. “I gave her my bag. Now my valuables are missing. This is standard protocol”
“This is my company, Julia,” Diego snapped. “There’s no such protocol unless I authorize it.”
A visible wave of relief washed over Rose. Her trembling slowed, her shoulders relaxed just a little. Her eyes met Diego’s, and in that brief second, she felt like she could breathe again.
He turned sharply to the onlookers. “Everyone, get back to your offices. Now.”
The staff scattered like smoke. Within seconds, only Diego, Julia, Rose, and two security officers remained.
“Rose,” Diego said softly, “come back.”
She stepped forward hesitantly, her hands still clasped in front of her.
“Julia,” he said more sternly, “why are you causing a scene in my company first thing Monday morning?”
“She stole from me,” Julia repeated, pointing at Rose. “I had over $50,000 worth of jewelry in that bag. Now it’s gone. She’s the only one who had access.”
Diego turned to Rose. His expression was unreadable. “Did you take her jewelry?”
“I…” Rose’s voice cracked. “I don’t know how to prove this, but I didn’t. I swear, Mr. Edwards. I just dropped the bag at your office like she asked. I never opened it.”
He took a few slow steps toward her, eyes locked on hers. Then, without warning, he dipped his hand into the side pocket of her neatly pressed blazer.
Rose’s breath caught.
His fingers pulled out a small velvet pouch.
Julia’s eyes lit up.
Diego slowly opened the pouch, revealing a set of sparkling crystal beads and diamond earrings.
Rose’s knees almost gave way. Her face went pale.
“I—I don’t know how that got there,” she whispered. “That’s not mine. I didn’t someone must have put it there, I swear on my life”
Julia laughed darkly. “You’re unbelievable. Look at you playing innocent while you’re caught red-handed. You can’t fake class, sweetheart.”
Rose burst into tears. Her sobs came in waves now heavy, broken sounds of a heart that couldn’t understand why this was happening.
Diego’s jaw tightened. He said nothing.
After a moment, he turned to her. “Go to your office, Rose.”
His voice was neutral, calm. Too calm.
Her eyes widened, searching his face for something understanding, belief, anything. But he wouldn’t meet her gaze. Wordlessly, she turned and walked away, head bowed, shame crushing her with every step.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Diego spun toward Julia.
“You really have no shame, do you?”
Julia blinked.
“She’s a thief, Diego.”
“You know damn well she’s not. You planted it.”
Julia’s lips parted in mock offense, but he cut her off with a cold laugh.
“You’re so predictable,” Diego said. “You’re still the same woman who cheated on me with Cruz. Do you think playing victim now is going to make me forget what you did?”
“That was years ago,” Julia said, her tone suddenly desperate. “I was forced into that engagement. You know that. My father pressured me. I called it off for you.”
“Well, it’s too late now.”
Julia stepped closer to him, her eyes wide and glossy. “Please, Diego. I made a mistake. But we can fix this.”
“There’s nothing to fix,” he said icily. “I’m in love with Rose. Always have been.”
Julia blinked, as if slapped. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
“But she’s not even your type she’s just a plain girl from the middle class. You’re going to throw away everything we had for… for a nobody?”
He laughed bitterly. “You think love is about status? That’s your problem, Julia. You’ve always believed people are either useful or worthless.”
She stepped even closer, pressing her body against him. “I love you, Diego. You know I do. Deep down, you still want me too.”
Before he could respond, she cupped his face gently and leaned in, brushing her lips against his.
Diego pulled back immediately.
“Stop,” he said, wiping his mouth. “You don’t get to rewrite history.”
Julia’s chest heaved. “Are you seriously kicking me out right now?”
Diego walked to the door, opened it, and stood aside.
“I’m done playing games. You’re no longer welcome here.”
She stared at him in disbelief.
“I said leave, Julia.”
Her eyes glistened with fury and humiliation. She raised her chin, adjusted her dress, and walked out slowly but not before turning to deliver one last venomous whisper.
“She’ll break you. And when she does, don’t come crawling back.”
The door slammed shut.
Diego exhaled, ran a hand over his face, and turned to the pouch still in his hand. Something about the whole setup didn't sit right. He knew Rose. He knew her.
So why did this feel… orchestrated?
“I'll definitely make my findings, I know someone in this office helped Julia plan this”.
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