You're No Longer My Groom

The announcement was shattering. But by the time my parents processed it, their faces lit up with uncontrollable joy, their smiles stretching from ear to ear.

"Sweetheart, you finally came to your senses!"

Mom looked so overjoyed that she seemed ten years younger, beaming with relief. "I've said it all along. Julian was never the right man for you. You would never be truly happy with him."

She was right. It was such a simple truth, yet it had taken me far too long to realize.

Thankfully, it wasn't too late.

With a steady hand, I took the microphone from the officiant and addressed the crowd. "The wedding is canceled," I announced calmly. "But please, enjoy the meal. Think of it as my treat."

The words had just left my mouth when Lilian Waverly—my almost-mother-in-law—stormed forward, her face twisted in outrage. "Absolutely not! After all the effort put into this wedding, how can you just cancel it? I won't allow it!"

I let out a cold chuckle. "Oh? Then, maybe you should take that up with your son. And as for you disagreeing…" I fixed her with a pointed stare. "Mrs. Lancaster, have you forgotten? Julian and I never even got a marriage certificate.

"Those were your exact words, weren't they? That until I gave birth to your grandson, I wasn't worthy of officially joining your family."

Lilian's face paled as murmurs rippled through the guests. They were whispering now, casting judgmental glances her way.

She had assumed my love for Julian meant she could control me and humiliate me whenever she pleased. But she had forgotten one thing—if love wasn't properly cared for, it, too, could spoil.

My patience with Julian had reached its limit, and this time, nothing and no one could make me change my mind.

Seeing her mother humiliated, Isabelle Lancaster, Julian's sister, couldn't sit still any longer. She stormed over, arms crossed.

Her tone was filled with mockery as she said, "Seriously, Clara? You're being so petty. Julian was just checking on Vivi. It's not like this hasn't happened before. Why are you making a big deal out of it this time?"

"Because I was a fool before," I said flatly. "I am not anymore."

I watched as the Lancaster family launched into a full-blown attack, but their words no longer had any effect on me.

Then, Lilian's eyes flickered with sudden calculation. Clinging to her last hope, she sneered. "But you're carrying my grandchild!"

She spoke as if she had me backed into a corner.

"Clara, you're a woman. You should understand the importance of reputation and family honor. You're pregnant with my son's child, so of course, you have to marry into our family! Otherwise, rumors will spread, and your reputation will be ruined."

I stared at her, stunned by her shamelessness. "Mrs. Lancaster, are you seriously implying that morals and decency are only meant for women? Do men not have to follow them?"

Lilian was at a loss for words, unable to counter me.

I smirked, placing a hand on my stomach. "And don't worry about the baby. If it comes down to it, I'll just raise the child myself."

At that moment, Dad and Mom stepped forward, standing firmly by my side, facing off against the Lancasters.

"My daughter's worth isn't for you to judge," Dad said firmly. "The engagement is off, and that child has nothing to do with your family anymore."

Mom backed him up without hesitation, saying, "If my daughter decides to keep the baby, it'll have our family name. If she doesn't, that's her choice, too!"

"You—"

Lilian stomped her foot in frustration, her desperation finally showing. "Think carefully, Clara! If you break things off with Julian, who would want to marry you after you've already been with someone else?"

Dad let out a dry laugh, his voice firm. "Not a problem. The Whitmores have more than enough money. My daughter will marry when she wants to—if she wants to. And if she doesn't, we'll take care of her just fine."

Mom wasn't about to back down, either. "That's right! Honestly, instead of worrying about my daughter, who is far too good for your son, you should be more worried about your son. After all, he's the one we've decided isn't worth keeping!"

I turned to look at my parents, gratitude welling up in my heart. Even at my lowest, they stood by me.

Lilian, realizing she had lost this battle, clenched her jaw and exhaled sharply. "Fine. If that's how you want to play it, then give back every cent my son spent on you!"