My Fiancé’s Secret Love is My Cousin - Chapter 1: Chapter 1

On what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, my fiancé live-streamed his proposal—to my cousin. Then, without hesitation, the two of them eloped, leaving me standing alone at the altar as Harbor City's most infamous jilted bride.
Lost and humiliated, I didn't expect anyone to step in. But then Brian Rocha—the wealthiest, most powerful man in the city—walked onto the stage and dropped to one knee in front of me.
"Angela Duncan, I fell in love with you the moment I saw you at the Gala Auction. Will you marry me?"
I turned him down, of course. But Brian wasn't the kind of man who took no for an answer. He pursued me relentlessly, his grand gestures growing bolder with time. On my birthday, he spent millions renting out every billboard in the city just to declare his love for the world to see.
Three years later, I finally said yes.
Overnight, I became the woman everyone envied—the one who must have saved the universe in a past life to deserve a man like Brian. But on the eve of our engagement, I overheard a conversation that shattered everything.
"You're insane, man. Dropping tens of thousands on a building for your first love? She's already married to your fiancée's ex, for God's sake."
Brian's response was quiet, aching with longing. "As long as she's happy. I'd do anything for Laurel. I'd die for her."
The truth hit me like a freight train. His relentless pursuit, his extravagant displays of affection—none of it had ever been for me. I was just a means to an end, a way for him to stay close to her.
That night, I made a decision—I would disappear.
"Make sure Angela never finds out about Laurel," Brian ordered, his voice firm. "No one breathes a word about her in front of her."
I stood frozen in the doorway, clutching the thermos of soup I'd made for him. Three hours ago, he'd claimed he was swamped with work, telling me to rest early for our engagement party tomorrow. Concerned, I'd come to surprise him—only to walk in on this.
Every memory we'd shared played in my mind like a cruel joke.
The billboards: "Angela, this is just the first step in winning your heart."
Our travels: "I'll show you everything the world has to offer."
His proposal by the sea: "I love you, Angela. Please marry me."
Tears blurred my vision. I didn't even realize I was crying until I felt the wetness on my cheeks.
Then, my phone buzzed—a message from a potential client, asking if I could fly to Dubai for an urgent asset planning job. Before tonight, I would've refused without hesitation.
Now?
The office door swung open, and Brian's secretary nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw me.
"Miss Duncan! What a—uh—surprise! How long have you been here?"
I forced a smile, lifting the thermos. "Just now. I brought Brian some soup."
She exhaled in relief, ushering me inside. The moment Brian spotted me, he rushed over, taking the thermos with a frown.
"It's freezing out. You shouldn't have come—you'll get sick."
He cranked up the heat, wrapped a blanket around my shoulders, and tucked me into the couch. But no amount of warmth could chase away the ice spreading through my veins.
His friends and secretary left with polite smiles—the same smiles I'd once mistaken for amusement at Brian's devotion.
Now I knew the truth.
They weren't laughing at him.
They were laughing at me.
Brian crouched in front of me, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Are you cold?" he murmured.
I stared at him, my heart in pieces.
If only he knew just how cold I really was.