She Stole My Fiancé, I Found Her Ex

I have waited long enough

Athina’s POV

I glanced at my watch. It was seven o’clock in the evening. I should have been at the hospital by now, but I had taken the day off. My sister and her perfect family were visiting, and I thought staying home would be better. That was a big mistake.

I work as a nurse at St. Cecilia Medical Center. Yet here I was, lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling like a ghost. Ten minutes went by. I had not done anything at all.

“Why am I even wasting time like this?” I muttered to myself.

This was pointless. I should have gone to work. At least the hospital was less draining than this house. Being here with all the noise, the expectations, and fake smiles was messing with my mind.

My phone buzzed on the coffee table. I reached for it slowly. Keelynn.

I answered. “Hello?”

“Hey! You are off today, right? Come out with me. You need a break. That house is killing your mood.”

I smiled. Finally, someone understood. Keelynn always knew exactly what I needed without me having to say it.

“Where?” I asked, feeling a little more awake.

“Velvet 9. Be there.”

“Okay, I will be there. Wait for me!”

Just like that, I felt energy returning. I jumped out of bed and ran to my closet. I wanted something bold, something that showed I was ready for a fresh start. My eyes landed on a red dress. It was tight, sleeveless, with a low back and a daring slit. Perfect.

I threw off my clothes and stepped into the shower. The warm water ran over me and I let it wash away the stress, the guilt, and the noise in my head.

As I left my room, I heard my niece, Vivienne, laughing softly.

A little calm returned. I smiled without thinking, but it disappeared quickly when Dad’s eyes met mine. The whole family sat in the living room, laughing like they were in a perfect commercial.

Seriously?

“Going out, sweetheart?” Dad asked softly, as if he had not snapped at me earlier.

With him and Mum, one minute I was a failure, the next they acted like nothing happened. It was always like that, cold one moment, sweet the next. Like they wanted to fix things without ever saying sorry.

“Just going to a bar,” I said, trying to sound relaxed. “Thought I would enjoy my day off.”

He sighed slowly and nodded. He knew I did not want to be here.

“Alright then. Be careful.”

I walked over and gave both of them quick kisses on the cheek. Fake daughter mode switched on. I kissed Vivienne too, because I actually meant it.

But Emma and Rafael? I did not even look at them. Not because I was bitter. Just because I was done.

I reached the door.

“Athina, be safe, okay?” Emma called after me, her voice sweet and sisterly. “There are lots of creeps out there.” I smiled, shook my head, and left. No answer needed.

Thirty minutes later, I pulled into Velvet 9’s parking lot.

As soon as I stepped out, I walked into a scene, two strangers kissing like the world did not exist. I looked away quickly, my face heating up. Still single. Still figuring things out by myself.

Bars were not really my thing. I rarely went out. My life was at the hospital. My days were full of patients, pain, and healing. Honestly? I liked it that way. Taking care of others gave me a reason to get up each morning. Something real.

I looked around, searching for Keelynn in the crowd. Before I found her, a hand grabbed my arm. I turned and there she was.

“Where are we going?” I asked, laughing as she pulled me along.

“VIP, second floor,” she smiled. “We will relax first, then party like we mean it.”

And just like that, I followed her, ready for whatever the night would bring. Not just the drinks. Not just the dancing. But maybe… the start of a new chapter. One I was finally ready to write for myself.

Keelynn Celeste has been my best friend since high school. She was the only one who ever accepted me, no matter how messy my life became.

Once we stopped rushing, I asked, “Who are you here with?” She had finally stopped dragging me like I was a suitcase on a crowded street.

“My boyfriend and his friends,” she answered, smiling proudly.

“Alright, let us head inside. I have something crazy to tell you,” I said as we climbed the stairs together.

Her eyes lit up with excitement. “Ooooh, that sounds good!”

When we reached the VIP lounge, the door swung open to reveal a lively group: four guys, two girls, and plenty of loud laughter filling the air.

I smiled and shook hands with everyone. “Nice to meet you all.”

Turning back to Keelynn, I said, “We will find a quieter spot to talk. I will catch up with you later.” They nodded, and I gently guided Keelynn away from the noise toward a calm corner.

As soon as we sat down, Keelynn leaned in.

“Come on, spill it. Why do you look like you are holding onto a huge secret?”

I sighed deeply. “Well, I can only tell you this much.”

Taking a steady breath, I began. “Back at home, I lost my cool. Mum and Dad would not stop asking about my love life, or the fact I do not have one. They kept pressing me about why I am still single and whether I have gotten over Rafael yet. Again.”

I described each frustrating question, the silent judgment behind every word.

Keelynn shook her head. “Seriously? Did your sister just get here?”

“Yes! And they said it all right in front of Emma, Rafael, and even baby Vivienne. I wanted to disappear.”

Her face softened as she sighed. “That is awful. I am sorry you had to go through that.”

She crossed her arms and asked, “So what now? What are we going to do?”

I looked her in the eyes and said the words I had been holding inside for weeks.

“I have waited long enough. I want to have a child.”