The Man Who Used Me for Three Years,Then I Walked Away

Brent Graves lost his memory in a car accident. The only person he forgot was me, his fiance.

The wedding went ahead as planned. He just followed what everyone online wanted and married his livestream partner, Rose Sullivan.

I rushed to the ceremony with proof that he and I had been in love, but Ervin Stephens, Rose's boss, stopped me at the door.

He looked at me and confessed years of feelings he'd kept hidden.

Listening to the cheers inside as the newlyweds exchanged rings, I finally understood. What we had was over. You can't force something that's already dead.

Before long, I agreed to marry Ervin Stephens. Rather than wait for someone to come back to me, I chose the man who said he loved me.

Three years into our marriage, my parents died in a car crash. The family company collapsed.

Ervin caught me every time I fell. He stayed beside me through the darkest stretch of my life.

I was grateful for everything he'd done. I tried my best to be a good, dutiful wife.

Then one day, pregnant and carrying a thermos of soup, I went to visit him on set and wandered into the backstage area of the livestream studio.

Through a door left slightly ajar, I heard his assistant's uneasy voice

Mr. Stephens, that was your wife's parents' accident settlement. Wasn't it supposed to be put into an education fund under your management? If you redirect it to fund Rose's entertainment career launch, your wife will lose it when she finds out.

Back then, Brent Graves faked his amnesia to break off the engagement. I only married her so she wouldn't ruin Rose's happiness.

Rose accidentally killed her parents in a hit-and-run. I stayed by her side just to make sure she never dug deep enough to destroy Rose.

I've done all of this, and she's still completely in the dark, still touched beyond words by how good I've been to her.

Even if I use the money, she won't notice. And even if she does, I'm the only person she has left. What's she going to do about it?

In that moment, I finally understood.

All that so-called devotion was nothing but a premeditated lie.

I was ready to leave, my heart burned to ash, when I heard Ervin's next words

Relax. Renata Simmons is still my wife, after all. She's carrying my child. I'll take responsibility for her.

Once Rose has a solid foothold in the industry, I'll find a way to make it up to her.

My feet stopped. Some desperate, dying part of me was still gambling on a sliver of hope.

Was it possible that what grew between us over time still counted as love?

Rose stepped off the livestream set during a break and walked straight from the spotlight to Ervin backstage.

She looped her arm through his, her voice pitched to a perfect, playful whineMr. Big Boss, I heard Renata's pregnant?

I feel terrible about what happened back then.

You'd better take good care of her for me. Don't let her suffer, okay?

Something dark flickered in Ervin's eyes as he held her hand, but his voice came out flat and steadyMm. Whatever you say.

I stood alone in a dark corner, clutching the chicken soup I'd made with my own hands, sobbing without a sound.

So Brent had faked his amnesia and called off our engagement just to find a clean excuse to be with Rose.

And my parents' deaths. Rose was the one who killed them.

Even knowing all of that, even knowing Rose's heart belonged to someone else, Ervin had willingly lied to me for three full years to protect her happiness.

I remembered the day of my parents' accident. I'd collapsed over their bodies and cried until I blacked out.

Ervin had cradled my face in his hands and sworn to meI promised your parents I'd take care of you, and I will keep that promise.

As long as I'm here, no one will ever hurt you.

And he had kept his word. Or so it seemed.

He handled every detail of the funeral. When my family's company went under, he stepped in and held the pieces together.

Until one night he came home drunk, held me close, and told me he wanted a child.

Thinking of everything he'd done for me, I kissed him first for the very first time.

The next day, without a moment's hesitation, I handed over every dollar I had, including my parents' settlement, and placed it all in his hands as an education fund for our future child.

I'd stayed home like a good wife, focused on the pregnancy, hoping the baby would bring us closer together.

The thought burned behind my eyes.

Every ounce of love I'd given Ervin Stephens had meant nothing to him.

The crew members nearby were starting to notice. I could feel their sidelong glances, the quiet curiosity sharpening into something worse.

I wiped my tears in a hurry, but there was no hiding how wrecked I looked.

I turned to leave, but Rose Sullivan's delighted voice rang out behind meRenata! You came to check up on him?

Don't worry, I've been keeping an eye on him for you. Nobody's getting any ideas about your man on my watch.

Rose grabbed my arm, took the container of chicken soup right out of my hands, and waved it at Ervin across the set, calling out loud enough for everyone to hear

Look at this! Our Ervin is so lucky. His wife drags herself here while pregnant just to bring him homemade soup.

Meanwhile, my guy would never be this thoughtful. I'm so jealous.

She shot Ervin a playful look, eyebrows raised, nudging him to come over and play the grateful husband.

But the first words out of Ervin's mouth when he walked over weren't for me. They were for Rose

If you want some, just say so. I'll have Renata make a batch for you next time. It's not like she has anything else to do at home.

The cold sank through me like ice water, but I forced a smile for the sake of the baby.

I'm a little tired. I'll let you two get back to work.

Ervin noticed my swollen eyes and something guarded crept into his voice as he stopped meHow long have you been here? Why didn't you text me? I would've come out to meet you myself.

A stone lodged itself in my chest.

He was afraid I'd seen who he really was, yet every word came out sounding like the perfect, attentive husband.

So I looked him straight in the eye and asked, my voice flatIf I'd texted ahead, you wouldn't have let me come at all, would you?

Rose picked up on my mood instantly and turned on Ervin, her tone half-scolding, half-playfulAll talk and no action with you. Honestly.

She obviously missed you. That's why she came all this way.

But pregnant women tire out so easily. Why don't we have Renata stay and join me for a quick parenting segment on my livestream?

Anything Rose asked for, Ervin delivered. Every single time.

He walked over to me, patient and composed, as if he were doing me a favorWell, you're already here. Might as well stay.

Be good. Go sit with Rose in the livestream room and chat for a bit. It'll help boost her numbers.

Since the pregnancy, my body had ballooned beyond recognition, swollen and shapeless like rising dough.

For the baby's sake, I'd stopped using every cream, every serum, every product I owned, and the dark patches had spread freely across my face.

Even without a camera pointed at me, I knew.

I looked awful.

I kept my voice low, but clear enough for Ervin to hearI'm tired. I just want to go home.

Rose let go of my arm with an awkward little laugh and immediately launched into an apologyThis is all my fault. I got so excited seeing Renata that I totally forgot pregnant women need their rest.

Ervin couldn't bear to see Rose feel even a second of guilt.

His patience with me evaporated on the spot. His voice went clippedYou insisted on coming, and now you insist on leaving.

He caught the disappointment in my eyes and seemed to realize he'd gone too far. His tone softened, shifting back into something coaxing

Rose and I just don't want you running back and forth in your condition.

Come on, you've got nothing else going on. Go keep Rose company for one livestream segment.

Once I wrap up here, we'll head home together.

And hearing that, it finally hit me. Ervin had always, instinctively, taken Rose's side.

Back when Rose stole my fianc, she was afraid I'd keep making a scene and ruin the wholesome image she'd built online, so she showed up at my door with a fake apology.

I hadn't planned to go after her, but I hadn't planned to forgive her either.

We'd all known each other for eight years. She knew exactly how deep things ran between Brent and me.

Yet she married him anyway, hiding behind the excuse that her fans were begging for it and she simply couldn't say no.

After that, I wanted nothing to do with Rose Sullivan.

But all she had to do was stand outside my door and squeeze out a couple of tears, and Ervin would come find me on his own to lecture meYou're a grown woman. Why are you still acting like a child?

Don't tell me you're still hung up on Brent. Is that why you hold it against her?

At the time, those words actually made me wonder if I really was being too petty.

My thoughts snapped back to the present, and I suddenly asked Ervin the oldest question in the bookIf Rose and I both fell in the water and you could only save one of us, who would you pick?

Ervin froze. Clearly my reaction was the last thing he'd expected.

But his grip on my wrist didn't loosen.

Renata, don't start with me right now.

Rose is the company's top influencer.

Building her up doubles our revenue. That's paving the way for our child's future too.

I laughed before I could stop myself.

A question that simple, and he still couldn't bring himself to answer. That silence was an answer all on its own.

There was no point pushing it. If I didn't back down, he'd only force me into an even bigger concession to Rose.

And with this belly, I couldn't afford another fight.

The moment the studio lights flicked on, the photographers huddled together, frowning and whispering.

Finally, one of them worked up the nerve to approach

Ms. Simmons, we still have a few minutes before we go live. Maybe you could put on some makeup first?

It's justshowing up like this might not look great on camera. Could scare viewers off marriage entirely.

Every pair of eyes in the room was on me. There was nowhere to hide.

I looked to Ervin without thinking, but he just gave an impatient nod toward the makeup artist, signaling her to get started.

I turned my face away and managed an apologetic refusal

I'm sorry, my doctor said the pregnancy's unstable. I'm not supposed to use any cosmetics.

Right on cue, Rose had her assistant pass over her bag and put on her concerned-big-sister voice

Renata, all my products are completely natural. Totally safe for expecting mothers.

How about I just do a light touch-up for you?

I knew Rose didn't mean well.

But we were about to go live, and the entire crew was standing there with their equipment, waiting on me.

Even Ervin's patience was visibly wearing thin.

I swallowed the tears rising in my throat, rested a hand on my belly, and gave inFine. Go ahead.

Just as I'd expected, Rose made a show of carefully doing my makeup.

In reality, she deliberately used a foundation two shades too light and paired it with the most garish hot-pink lipstick she had, making my already exhausted face look like a bad joke.

Rose stepped back with a satisfied grin, turning me toward the room like a finished product, fishing for compliments.

Everyone covered their mouths, barely holding it together.

But I still heard the whispers

She looks worse than before. Once we're live, the birth rate's gonna drop by half

Mr. Stephens is such a good-looking guy. How'd he end up with that?

Right? Put her next to Rose and it's night and day.

I told myself not to care what they thought.

I gritted my teeth through another round of mockery in the livestream chat, and when they finally called a break, I went straight to find Ervin.

I was exhausted. I told him I wanted to go home and rest.

Ervin pointed at Rose, who was touching up her makeup nearby, his tone laced with mockeryWhen Rose was pregnant, she still managed to work eighteen-hour days without a single break.

Renata, I'm starting to wonder if I've been spoiling you too much.

Turning you into this much of a drama queen.

Every other word out of his mouth was about Rose. The resentment sat heavy in my chest.

If you think Rose is so great, why did you marry me instead of her?

You think I didn't want to

Ervin's face twisted with fury, but the words died on his tongue.

In the end, a mocking edge settled over his expression, and he switched back to patient persuasion

Honestly, when you showed up on the livestream just now, the analytics spiked. You brought Rose a ton of new followers.

I've told you over and over, I'm going to make Rose a star.

If you leave now, you're cutting her stream short in the middle of a live broadcast. It'll tank her numbers.

Ervin would never understand how agonizing it had been for me in that livestream.

That hideous makeup hadn't just wrecked my appearance. It had shattered my dignity.

But Ervin never noticed any of that. All he saw was me being difficult.

I was exhausted. I just wanted to find somewhere quiet to collect myself.

Ervin thought I was leaving. He grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

I lost my balance, and my stomach slammed into the corner of the table.

Pain tore through me, so sharp it stole my breath.

The floor director jogged overMr. Stephens, your wife needs to get ready. We're going live any second.

I sucked in a ragged breath, clutching Ervin's hand so hard my knuckles went white

I think something's wrong with the baby. Please, take me to the hospital

Ervin hesitated for one second.

But the sight of Rose's follower count climbing won out.

He took my hand, his voice terrifyingly calm

I'll call an ambulance, but you'll have to wait for it anyway. You might as well finish the second half of the stream while you wait.

Then he signaled his assistant to walk me back in front of the camera.

I had no choice. I swallowed the pain and forced the thinnest sliver of a smile.

Sharp-eyed viewers in the chat picked up on it immediately.

The pregnant woman next to her looks really pale. Is she okay?

The pain was so bad I couldn't speak. All I could do was press both hands against my stomach and pray my baby was safe.

Rose saw the chat shifting and jumped in with a laugh to smooth things over

Don't worry, everyone! Renata lost her parents young and her family went bankrupt, so she's been under a lot of stress. She just doesn't have the energy to keep up her appearance. Her color's always a little off.

The comments poured in the moment she finished

That explains it. Looking like that, she probably couldn't marry into anything decent, right?

Definitely not as well as our Rose did!

Rose caught those comments and read them aloud in a drawn-out, sing-song voice, one hand covering her smile

You're all wrong, actually! Renata is our boss's wife. She has a perfectly happy family.

I barely registered Rose's poisonous little performance. All I could feel was a warm, steady gush soaking through beneath me.

I looked at Ervin, begging him with my eyes.

But by the time I blacked out, the person I needed most still hadn't come.

Rose shot to her feet in shock. The chat exploded

Oh my God, is that blood under the pregnant woman?

Is she having a miscarriage?? That's terrifying.

Didn't Rose just say she only looked pale? Why is she bleeding?

The livestream cut to black. I collapsed into Ervin's arms.

For the first time since we'd arrived, something close to worry flickered in his eyes.

He barked at his assistant to get the ambulance there now.

Rose put on a convincing show too, sobbing like her heart was breaking.

Ervin, Renata's baby is going to be okay, right?

If she had a miscarriage during my livestream, the internet will tear me apart.

Ervin stood immediately, pulling Rose into his arms, his voice soft and soothing

I'm here. Don't be scared.

Even if something did go wrong, none of it will touch you.

I'm the baby's father. I'll explain everything to the public myself.

To calm Rose down, Ervin actually reopened the livestream.

He went on camera as my husband and lied for her

Everyone, sorry if we scared you just now! That was all just a livestream stunt, a little joke.

My wife wanted to head home early and rest, so she splashed some tomato juice around to prank Rose. All in good fun.

That night, the livestream broke its all-time viewership record.

And I lay in the back of an ambulance, watching the doors close without ever seeing Ervin's face.

Jamie was frantic, dialing Ervin's number with shaking hands

Mr. Stephens, the ambulance is here. Aren't you coming?

I thought, looking like this, bleeding like this, Ervin would feel at least a shred of concern.

But the voice that came through the receiver killed the last trace of warmth left inside me.

I already promised Rose a wrap party. It's just a little blood. She'll be fine.

Besides, the doctors are with her. There's nothing I can do even if I go.

I'll head over once the party wraps up.

That night, I lost the baby.

Ervin's phone never went through. The only person at my bedside through all of it was Jamie, a man I barely knew, running back and forth, handling everything.

By dawn, Ervin still hadn't come.

I sent Jamie home to rest.

Then I dragged my body to the edge of the bed, called a lawyer, and booked a flight.

The nurse couldn't talk me out of it. In the end, all she could do was help me into a cab headed for the airport.

The driver took one look at my face, white as paper, and saidMiss, you don't look well at all.

Whatever it is, it can't be worth rushing to catch a flight in this condition.

If your family saw you like this, they'd be worried sick.

That small kindness from a stranger broke me. Tears streamed down my face before I could stop them.

Three years of marriage, and Ervin had never shown me the concern this stranger just did.

I knew then that I wasn't wrong. I should have left a long time ago.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and managed a smile, light and free.

Thank you, sir. I don't have any family.

But I'll remember what you said. I'll take better care of myself.

The moment the plane broke through the clouds, bright sunlight poured through the window and fell across my skin.

Everything from before seemed to turn to dust in that single instant.

I whisperedGoodbye, Ervin.

No. Better yet, goodbye forever