Serena Adrian NovelHe Left Me for a Richer Bride

My boyfriend suddenly announced online that he was getting married in two months.
Everyone congratulated me on the culmination of our seven-year relationship, and I was so stunned I started preparing for a wedding I hadnt expected to plan.
Then, at the door to the private room, I overheard him talking with his best friend.
Adrian, your elimination system is insane. Picking one wife from nineteen loversonly the best makes the cut.
Adrian wont eliminate anyone else. Right now Serena is going up against the mistress she slept with most.
If you dont marry your mistress in two months, arent you afraid Serena will be upset? his friend asked.
He answered casually, Ill marry whoever performs best. Thats fair. It all depends on whether Serena can perform.
Laughter filled the room. Adrian, youre so biasedyou gave your mistress such a high score. Serena will definitely lose! Its like trial by fire
Adrian flashed a playful smile. When two paths meet, the brave prevail. I gave her the chance if she doesnt win me, thats on her.
My body froze. My heart hammered so hard I could barely breathe. After a long, cold deliberation, I sent the man who had waited for me eight years a single message:
No need to wait for a ten-year agreement. I dont want him anymore.

I still didnt know who Adrian had cheated with. It felt absurd. Three months later, when the girl showed up on purpose, everything clicked into place.
My name is Miranda Voss, she announced, producing an elegant box. Im bringing Mr. Blackwell some health underwear. She pulled the mens underwear from its packaging with a defiant, knowing smile. Mr. Blackwell ordered this yesterday but didnt pick it up, so I brought it over. He likes wearing this. She gave me a look that made the idea obscene. Especially after sex its good for your health.
Hes so addicted he has sex at least fifteen times a month. He needs to take care of himself.
Fifteen times a month? Was she bragging about their frequency? My head spun, but I kept my face calm and looked straight at the childish girl in front of me. She looked barely grownmaybe eighteen or nineteencheap lipstick and rushed makeup failing to hide her youth.
All right. Thank you. Ill give it to him when he gets back. I fished out a five-dollar note and held it out. You must have traveled far. This is for your expenses.
Id already lost my place in that final round. I had imagined ripping her face off, shaving her head in fury. But when I saw Mirandas juvenile expression and the way she clutched the money, my anger oddly cooled. There are plenty of men in the world. Let her have this unfaithful one.
She blinked, stunned that I didnt explode. Then, venomous, she snatched the five dollars and slammed it back at me. What do you mean, humiliating me with five dollars? Calling me a whore?!
Rage flared and I slapped her. Dont insult whores. They only care about money not people. Youre different.
She clutched her face, furious and hurt. Just wait, she hissed.
She followed through on that threat. When Adrian stormed in, I was already packing my suitcase.
Serena, why did you hit her? If youve got the guts, hit me instead. Why bully the weak? he demanded.
I paused, clothes in my hands, fury rising like a tide.


Without hesitation, I slapped him.
Adrian froze, disbelief flashing across his face as if my hand had cut the air. He had always treated me like the gentlest person he knew; the idea that I could raise a hand at him seemed impossible to him.
Whatare you crazy? His frown deepened and his voice climbed a register. Anger darkened his features as he stared at me, incredulous.
I met his gaze, every nerve raw. Im going crazy.
That only inflamed him more. He pressed his thumb against his forehead, turned away for a second as if to steady himself, then jabbed his hand toward me. Shes just a salespersonwhy would you hit her? Dont you know how important face is to a woman? If she calls the police, youll be fined 15,000 dollars for that slap!
Then let her call me, I said.
His eyes narrowed, disgust and impatience in equal measure. I dont have time for this. Serena, youre becoming unreasonable. With that he slammed the door and left.
I felt oddly calm, but the tears wouldnt stop. The man whod once unnerved me because he mistook my quiet for weakness had finally shown his true colors. After seven years, all I walked away with was a single suitcase.
I paused in the living room Id spent years arranging, imagining Miranda stepping into my shoes and erasing every trace of me. I could be petty and tear the place apart, or I could be lazy and let her have it. I chose laziness. Let her have him.
I moved into the small house Id bought two years earlier. This was mine I wasnt running away forever.
Just as I folded the last shirt, my phone buzzed. Damien Korrigan. Serena, I just woke up and saw your message. Im overseas, he said, apologizing for the delay because of the time difference. His voice was bright and shaky with excitement; I could hear him grinning through the line.
Are you serious? he asked, almost breathless. You really mean youll keep the ten-year promise if were both single?
Yes. I didnt hesitate.
He laughed aloud. Ive got about two more months of work overseas. After that Ill fly back and well get the marriage certificate together. Deal?
Deal. We talked for a long time until he had to go.
No sooner had I hung up than a bank notification popped up: 15,000 dollars had been transferred from my account.
Only Adrian knew all my passwords. We had no financial secrets. I called him, voice sharp. Why did you take 15,000 dollars from me?
You slapped Miranda, he said flatly. That moneys compensation for her. I know you wont apologize, but she cant take a slap for nothing. Youll be embarrassed if she calls the police. Im doing this for your own good.
As he spoke, Mirandas coquettish voice chimed in on his end: I just got out of the shower. Should I wear the nurse uniform or the student uniform today? He cut the call off quickly, the guilty silence obvious.
My whole body trembled with fury. I texted him: Return the money in one day, or Ill call the police.


In the middle of the night, my phone buzzed with a new friend request. I clicked Agree, and messages immediately popped up:
Sis, I got your apology.
Dont be naughty next time.
Still awake? Waiting for your boyfriend?