Marry Me Instead

Chapter 1 — I Can’t Do This “I can’t do this.” Evelyn Sinclair knew something was wrong the moment Ethan Hawthorne refused to meet her eyes. Every bride dreamed of hearing, “I do.” Evelyn heard, “I can’t marry you.” The wedding she’d waited eight years for ended before the vows were ever spoken. The grand ballroom fell into stunned silence. Hundreds of guests, business magnates, politicians, celebrities, and socialites stared at the couple standing beneath an arch of white roses. Even the orchestra had stopped playing. Evelyn stood perfectly still in her custom-made wedding gown, her fingers tightening almost imperceptibly around the bouquet in her hands. She searched Ethan’s face for uncertainty, for hesitation. For anything that suggested this was a terrible joke. Instead, she found resolve. “What did you say?” she asked quietly. “I said…” Ethan met her gaze at last, his expression calm. “I can’t marry you.” A wave of whispers swept across the ballroom. “Ethan,” Evelyn said, her voice steady despite the pounding of her heart. “The ceremony has already begun.” “I know.” “Then what are you doing?” “I’m doing what should’ve been done a long time ago.” His answer landed like a slap. Evelyn felt every pair of eyes in the room settle on her. “I’ve thought about this for months,” Ethan continued. “I kept convincing myself things would change… that we’d eventually understand each other.” His gaze remained unwavering. “But we don’t.” A crease formed between Evelyn’s brows. “What exactly is that supposed to mean?” “It means we’re fundamentally different.” His voice was calm, almost clinical. “You’re intelligent. You’re capable. No one can deny that.” A small flicker of hope surfaced inside her. It died with his next sentence. “But you’re also cold.” “You always have to be right.”His words continued, each one sharper than the last. “You never know when to forgive.” “You treat everything like a business negotiation.” “You expect everyone to meet your standards without considering how they feel.” Every accusation echoed through the ballroom. Evelyn didn’t interrupt. Not because she agreed. But because she couldn’t believe the man she’d loved for eight years had chosen their wedding day to list everything he believed was wrong with her. “I’ve spent years trying to convince myself that this was enough,” Ethan said. “That respect could become love.” “It can’t.” A lump formed in Evelyn’s throat. “So…” “This marriage would be a mistake.” The words settled over the room like a final judgment. Evelyn drew a slow breath. “And if I’m such a mistake…” Her voice remained remarkably composed. “Who isn’t?” For the first time since speaking, Ethan didn’t answer immediately, but His eyes landed on a woman standing among the front row of guests. Sophia Sinclair. She wore a pale champagne dress, her delicate features arranged into the same gentle expression everyone adored. Concern, Innocence, Sympathy. She looked exactly like the victim, But Only Evelyn noticed what happened next. For the briefest moment, Sophia’s lips curved. Not enough for anyone else to notice. Not enough to ruin the perfect image she had spent years building. Just enough for Evelyn to understand that this wasn’t an accident. It had never been. When someone called Sophia’s name, the smile disappeared as though it had never existed. She lowered her eyes gracefully, every bit the picture of reluctant innocence. Ethan took a step forward. “The woman I love……is Sophia.” Gasps erupted throughout the ballroom…Evelyn didn’t hear it. She was too busy watching the only family she had ever known. Her father looked disappointed. Her mother looked conflicted. Neither of them stepped forward. Neither of them defended her. And in that moment…Evelyn realized she had been standing alone for far longer than she ever wanted to admit. The ballroom erupted. “What did he just say?” “Did he choose the adopted daughter?” “On the wedding day?” “This is unbelievable…” Whispers spread through the grand hall like wildfire, growing louder with every passing second. Hundreds of eyes darted between Evelyn, Ethan, and Sophia, eager to witness the scandal unfolding before them. Sophia slowly stepped forward. “Ethan…” she said softly, shaking her head. “You shouldn’t have…” “I should have done this years ago.” His answer was immediate. Sophia bit her lower lip, as though struggling to hide her emotions. “But today is your wedding.” “It was supposed to be.” Ethan looked directly at Evelyn. “I can’t spend the rest of my life pretending.” The word echoed in Evelyn’s mind. Eight years together. Eight years of birthdays, anniversaries, business galas, family dinners, promises, and plans for the future…Reduced to pretending. Her grip tightened around the bouquet until the stems dug painfully into her palm. She barely felt it. Richard Sinclair was the first to recover from the shock. “What exactly is the meaning of this?” he demanded, his voice carrying effortlessly through the ballroom. Ethan remained composed. “I’m calling off the wedding.” “You’ve embarrassed both families!” “No.” Ethan’s expression didn’t change. “I prevented a marriage that never should’ve happened.” The statement sent another wave of whispers through the guests. Richard’s face darkened. “You’ve humiliated my daughter.” “I know this is difficult,” Ethan replied, “but dragging this marriage on would’ve been crueler.” Evelyn almost laughed. Instead, she looked at him quietly. “So you’ve decided what’s best for me.” “I’ve decided what’s honest.” Their eyes met, and for the first time in eight years… She couldn’t recognize the man standing before her. Victoria Sinclair hurried toward the stage, her elegant heels clicking against the marble floor. “Ethan, surely this is just an emotional decision.” “It isn’t.” “We can postpone the ceremony.” “No.” “We’ll talk privately” “There isn’t anything left to discuss.” His refusal was absolute. Victoria’s hopeful expression faltered. Meanwhile, Charles Hawthorne remained seated in the front row. His weathered face revealed nothing. As Chairman of Hawthorne Group, he had spent decades mastering the art of concealing his emotions. If he was surprised…He didn’t show it. The only person who seemed completely calm was Sophia. She lowered her head modestly as guests whispered around her. “I never wanted this…” she murmured. Evelyn almost admired the performance. Almost because she caught it again. Another tiny glance. Another nearly invisible smile. Gone before anyone else could notice. “Evelyn.” Sophia finally looked at her, her voice filled with practiced concern. “I’m so sorry…” Evelyn stared at her for several long seconds. Then… “For what?” Sophia blinked. “I never wanted to hurt you.” “No?” The single word was quiet. “I didn’t ask Ethan to do this.” “But you didn’t stop him either.” Sophia opened her mouth But nothing came out because there was nothing she could say. Not when Ethan had already made his choice. Ethan stepped between them. “That’s enough.” His protective gesture didn’t go unnoticed. He was shielding Sophia from Evelyn As though Evelyn were the threat. “As if she hasn’t embarrassed me enough?” Evelyn asked. “Evelyn.” His voice carried a warning. “Don’t take this out on Sophia.” A bitter smile finally appeared on Evelyn’s lips There it was Even now…Even after destroying their wedding. His first instinct was still to protect Sophia Not once had he asked if Evelyn was alright. Not once had he considered how she felt standing alone in a wedding dress before hundreds of people. At that moment…Something inside Evelyn quietly broke….Just enough for the love she’d spent eight years nurturing to finally begin slipping away.