He Postponed Our Engagement 24 Times, So I Left Him For Good

The night before our engagement party, Damian Pierce buried his face against my neck and whispered huskily: "Little stutterer... you should really learn from Chloe how to make sounds in bed. She’s ten times better than you." My blood ran cold in an instant. Chloe was the daughter of my father's mistress. Years ago, her mother forced her way into our home, driving my mother to commit suicide while pregnant with my unborn baby brother. Damian continued nonchalantly: "When you dropped off the engagement invitations last time, she was right beside me." "Hearing your stuttering voice over the speaker made her moan even louder." He stared at his phone screen, a cruel smirk curling the corner of his lips: "I finally understand why your father couldn't resist her mom. You and your mother were both pathetic stutterers, but when Chloe opens her mouth, it drives me wild." Damian waited for me to break down and scream, the way I had the first time I caught him cheating. Instead, I said nothing. I quietly gathered my clothes from the floor and put them on. Damian paused, caught off guard, then let out a soft scoff: "Chloe was right. You've finally learned to behave." The screen went dark. He reached out, gently stroking my cheek: "Tomorrow is our engagement party. Be a good Mrs. Pierce from now on." Becoming Mrs. Pierce. I had waited seven long years for that title. Now, I didn't want it anymore. "Julianna, you look stunning in this dress." It was a diamond-encrusted gown with an endless train, shimmering like scattered starlight. It was breathtaking. Except it wasn't my size. I looked down at the loose gap around my waist—an empty hollow that could never be filled. Damian gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, leaning down to murmur: "Chloe spent weeks tracking down an elite designer overseas just to make this for you. She put so much heart into our engagement. Do you like it?" I took a step back, slipping out of his embrace. I stayed silent. Damian chuckled and tapped my nose: "What's this? Still mad about last night?" "Come on, it's not like it's the first time." I kept my eyes cast down, hiding every shred of emotion, and shook my head: "N-No." Damian frowned slightly, sensing something was off. Usually, I would throw a fit or burst into tears. But today, I was as calm as stagnant water. He softened his voice, coaxing me: "Julianna, you’re about to become Mrs. Pierce. You need to be more gracious." With that, he pulled an exquisite velvet box from behind his back. Inside lay a teardrop-shaped blue diamond necklace. He leaned in and fastened it around my neck. "Your favorite—the Heart of the Ocean. Remember?" The icy stone pressed against my collarbone, sending a shiver down my spine. Seven years ago, at a high-society gala. Cruel heiresses had surrounded me, mocking my stutter, before someone deliberately tripped me into the swimming pool. They stood around the edge, laughing: "Look at the dumb little stutterer! I heard her mom was a stuttering country bumpkin too. Guess being a freak runs in the family." "Mock her! 'I-I-I-I...' What a joke!" Having watched my cousin drown when I was a child, water terrified me. I flailed in sheer panic, water burning my lungs like razor blades. Just as I thought the cold darkness would swallow me whole— Damian jumped in and pulled me out. He held my shivering body, glaring at the crowd with dark fury: "She isn't a stutterer. Even the ocean trembles with its waves. She's just waiting for someone who understands her." "From now on, she belongs to me. Anyone who touches her makes an enemy of the entire Pierce family." That was the night he confessed his love and swore to protect me for the rest of his life. A sudden, piercing scream shattered my memories. "Ah—!" Damian's face instantly shifted. He whipped around and threw open the door. Chloe was sprawled on the floor, a thin scratch bleeding on her ankle. Damian scooped her up, his eyes filled with panic, and roared at the maids: "Are you all useless? If this leaves a scar on Chloe, can any of you afford the consequences? Get the hell out!" With tear-filled eyes, Chloe wrapped her arms around his neck, whimpering, "Damian, it hurts so much..." Then came Damian’s gentle murmurs of comfort. Moments later, the door creaked open. He looked at me, hesitating: "Chloe's hurt. I'm worried she fractured a bone, so I need to take her to the hospital for an X-ray." "About the engagement party today..." Postponed again? I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat, a dull ache sawing through my chest. Nestled in his arms, Chloe flashed me a subtle, triumphant smirk. "Julianna, I'm so sorry... because of me, your engagement has to be delayed again. You won't hold it against me, will you?" Seven years with Damian. This was the twenty-fourth time he had postponed our engagement for Chloe. The first time, she had a mild fever, and he abandoned me to nurse her. The second time, she felt down, and he flew her to the coast to clear her head. The third time, she lost her pet dog, and he searched the city streets all night. ... Today was the twenty-fourth time. A tiny scratch that a band-aid could cover was enough to turn my engagement into a public laughingstock. Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit my stomach. Up since 2:00 AM for hair, makeup, and fittings, I hadn't had a single drop of water. My chronic gastritis was flaring up again. Seeing how pale I was, Damian hesitated, a flash of guilt crossing his eyes. He lowered his voice, coaxing: "Be good, Julianna. Your sister has suffered her whole life under the stigma of being an illegitimate child. You're the older sister; be the bigger person." "Don't worry. In three days, I'll throw you an even grander engagement party." "I made a vow: the only woman I will ever marry is you." With that, he hurried away, carrying Chloe in his arms. The grand hall fell dead silent, feeling as desolate as an empty grave. Trembling, I dug a bottle of pills from my purse and swallowed two dry. My phone on the table buzzed. It was a text from Chloe: [Dear sister, if I recall correctly, this is the twenty-fourth time Damian has postponed the engagement for me, isn't it?] [Just like your stuttering mother, you can't keep a man. How pathetic!] I stared at my reflection in the mirror, wearing a gown that didn't fit. Damian, I won't be your Mrs. Pierce anymore.I stripped off the oversized gown and pushed open the hall doors. Laughter echoed from the stage. Damian stood in the center, holding a custom pink diamond ring. Standing across from him was Chloe. She wore a stunning white gown, looking at him with flushed, bashful cheeks. Damian’s circle of rich friends cheered loudly: "Chloe looks breathtaking! You two are a match made in heaven!" "She's the only one worthy of Damian! Absolutely stunning!" "Come on, let's run through the vows one more time..." My engagement party had been canceled. Their engagement rehearsal had simply found a new bride. I stood by the doorway, blending into the shadows. "Damian, hurry up and say the vows!" Damian gazed down at Chloe in his arms, his voice dripping with affection: "Chloe, I promise to take care of you for the rest of my life." The guys whistled and cheered, some already shouting, "Way to go, sister-in-law!" Suddenly, someone shoved me hard from behind. I tumbled forward, crashing onto the floor right before the stage. "Well, look who's here. Isn't that Julianna?" "What, here to take notes? With that stutter of yours, reciting vows would take all day, wouldn't it?" Chloe rushed over to help me up, her voice sickeningly sweet: "Julianna, are you okay? Guys, don't talk about her like that..." Zach exhaled a cloud of smoke, sneering: "Why bother defending her? She's been throwing tantrums at you and Damian every single day. You're way too nice to her." "She's been with Damian for seven years, and honestly, I've always wondered... does she stutter in bed too? Does she sound like a glitching robot?" "Hahaha! Bro, you're savage!" "I bet five hundred bucks she blue-screens mid-moan." Uproarious laughter tore through the room. Damian frowned slightly, but he didn't say a single word to stop them. Chloe leaned in, clinging to Damian’s arm: "Julianna, they're just joking. Please don't be mad at them, okay?" Looking at the two of them standing so close, I let out a cold, hollow laugh. "K-Keep... going." Suddenly, an overwhelming exhaustion washed over me. Seven years of devotion—I didn't want any of it anymore. Back at the penthouse, I laid open my suitcase and started packing my things. My phone chimed with an Ins notification. # Pierce Heir Rehearses Engagement with Chloe Vance: A Match Made in Heaven # The attached photo showed Damian kneeling down to slide high heels onto Chloe's feet, his gaze tender beyond belief. Comments were already in the tens of thousands. I scrolled down and saw a top comment: "Isn't that Chloe Vance, the illegitimate daughter? Her mother was a home-wrecker who drove the real wife to jump off a building, and now the daughter is stealing another man? The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree." A sharp pang seized my heart. I locked my phone immediately. BAM! The bedroom door was kicked open. Before I could react, Damian stormed in and slapped me across the face. "Julianna Vance! Are you really that petty and jealous?" He shoved his glowing phone into my face, his expression thunderous: "Her father and I worked so hard to bury Chloe's past, and now you go online calling her a mistress?" Stunned, I blinked: "W-What?" He stepped closer, his gaze arctic cold: "I used to think you were just spoiled. I didn't realize you were this malicious." I met his eyes, my voice icy: "I... didn't write... that comment." Damian scoffed. "If not you, who else?" "I told you plainly: the only woman I'm marrying is you! Chloe was just having a little fun today. Did you really have to blow it up like this?" Just then, a sharp, sinking pain gripped my lower abdomen. My cheek burned fiercely where he had struck me, my eyes welling with furious tears. Seeing my face, Damian's tone softened slightly. He reached out to wipe the tears from my eyes: "You're going to be Mrs. Pierce. Why do you constantly have to find ways to make Chloe's life miserable?" I closed my eyes. Five years ago, Chloe's mother, Lana, forced her way into our family, spreading rumors that my mother was cheating and carrying a bastard. My mother was publicly humiliated by my father and cornered by the Vance family. Driven to utter despair, she jumped from the rooftop with my unborn baby brother. I watched them shatter like crushed flowers on the pavement below. Back then, Damian had held me tight: "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you forever." I once saw him as my only salvation in a world of darkness. Until Chloe appeared. Then, everything changed. Another cramp twisted my stomach, black spots dancing in my vision. Damian spoke coldly: "Chloe has been crying all afternoon. Tomorrow is the Vance family banquet. You're going to apologize and beg for her forgiveness." I laughed bitterly. "I'm... not... going." Irritation flared in Damian's eyes. He tossed a hospital bill onto the dresser. "Then find a way to pay for your grandmother's care yourself next month." My blood froze instantly. When my mother was hospitalized abroad during my childhood, my grandmother raised me. She was the one who clumsily sang me to sleep every night. She was the one who picked up a broom with her hunched back, fiercely chasing away the street bullies who teased me. She was the one who carried me on her back for miles in the pouring rain when I had a fever. She was my only remaining family in this world. Later, when Grandma developed severe cardiomyopathy, Damian was the one who brought in top cardiologists to keep her alive. I thought he was the ocean holding me afloat. Now, he was the abyss drowning me. I bowed my head. Tears hit the hardwood floor, silent and heavy. "...Fine." "I'll go."The next evening, at the Vance family estate. A massive family portrait hung in the center of the living room: Chloe hugging her mother and my father, beaming with radiant happiness. My mother and I were entirely erased, as if we had never existed. Guests whispered around the room: "How does she have the nerve to show her face? Her mother disgraced the family with that cheating scandal years ago, and now she slanders Chloe online. Like mother, like daughter." "Damian and Chloe are truly meant for each other. Just look at them." I turned and saw Chloe walking in on Damian’s arm. A swarm of paparazzi followed them, cameras flashing and microphones thrust in my face. "Julianna," Damian commanded, "in front of everyone, apologize to Chloe. Admit you wrote that comment out of jealousy." Chloe’s eyes welled with tears instantly: "Julianna, I never thought you'd hate me this much... It was your mother who cheated back then, so why take it out on me...?" Before she could finish, Lana charged out from the crowd. She pointed an accusatory finger at my nose, wailing loudly for the press: "Everyone, see the truth! Her mother slept around behind my husband's back, got pregnant with another man's bastard, and jumped off a building out of guilt! Now this girl is smearing my daughter! How can anyone be so wicked?!" SLAP! I struck Lana across the face with all the strength I had left. My vision burned red: "Don't you dare... slander my mother again!" "Who was the one that spread lies and drove my mother to death? Do you have the guts to go to the police station and settle this under oath?!" The entire room gasped. Chloe’s face stiffened. She hoisted her skirt and abruptly fell to her knees before me. "Julianna, I'm sorry... it's all my fault..." "I was the one who caught your mom in bed with Uncle Arthur. You pulled a knife and threatened to kill me if I spoke up... but truth can't be hidden forever..." As she spoke, she deliberately pulled back her sleeve, exposing a scar on her wrist. A scar she had carved into her own flesh. The crowd erupted in outrage. Damian looked at me, his eyes filled with undisguised disappointment. Crack! A brutal blow sent me crashing to the floor. Blood welled in the corner of my mouth, and my ears rang deafeningly. It was my father, Arthur Vance. He loomed over me, his face twisted in pure disgust: "You ungrateful wretch! Apologize to your sister and mother right now!" Years ago, my mother had knelt before him, desperately trying to explain, and he had looked at her with that exact same look of disgust. That was what drove my mother over the edge. "My mother... was murdered by you!" I choked out. He roared, "Your mother was a whore! Apologize right now!" Holding my throbbing cheek, I glared up at him. "N-Never!" Arthur kicked the back of my knee. My legs buckled, and I crashed down hard before Chloe. My kneecaps slammed against the marble floor with a sickening thud. A tearing pain ripped through my abdomen, spreading like fire to every nerve in my body. Chloe wept dramatically: "Dad, don't be too harsh on Julianna..." Damian supported Chloe, his voice icy and commanding: "Julianna, apologize to Chloe now. Stop making a scene!" I lifted my head and met his cold gaze. Three years ago, when his family rivals kidnapped him and threw him into an abandoned freezer on the outskirts of the city, I went in alone to save him. I took six stab wounds for him. I spent three days in the ICU clinging to life. Back then, he swore before the entire Pierce family: "Julianna Vance is my life. I will marry no one else, and I will never let her suffer another day." And now? He was forcing me to kneel before the very daughter of the woman who destroyed my family, demanding that I beg for their forgiveness. Chloe leaned down, whispering in my ear with a sinister smirk: "Julianna, Damian already found a matching donor heart for your grandmother. But if I tell the hospital it's canceled... how long do you think that trash-picking old hag will last?" I glared at her, my voice trembling with rage: "Don't you dare touch her!" At that exact moment, the smartwatch on my wrist—synced to my grandmother's vital signs—began vibrating frantically.By the time I rushed to the hospital, Damian had sent a text: [Julianna, Chloe has been emotionally unstable lately. I only asked you to apologize to calm her down.] [The engagement party is tomorrow. I noticed your dress didn't fit properly, so I had the designer adjust the measurements. Come over now and try it on.] Before I could reply, a doctor hurried over. "Sign the consent forms immediately! Your grandmother needs emergency resuscitation!" Clutching my phone, my heart clenched in terror. "Doctor! What happened to her...?!" Nurses dashed past me pushing a gurney. Grandma lay unconscious, her breathing faint. "End-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. Her heart is failing rapidly." "We need a matching donor heart for transplantation immediately, otherwise..." The doctor checked his watch. "She has twenty-four hours at most." My mind went blank. With trembling hands, I dialed Damian’s number. Dozens of calls went unanswered until someone finally picked up. It was Chloe’s voice. "Julianna, Damian went to get me some warm water. If it's nothing important, I'm hanging up." I screamed through sobs: "Chloe Vance! My grandmother needs her donor heart right now! Put... Damian on the phone!" She chuckled softly: "Julianna, that old woman has dragged on long enough. When it's time to go, she should just go. Why waste Damian’s money keeping a corpse alive...?" "Shut up! Put Damian on the phone! DAMIAN!" The call was abruptly terminated. I dialed back frantically. "The number you have dialed is currently switched off." I slumped outside the operating room, my hands shaking uncontrollably as I signed the critical condition notice. Across town, Damian walked into the room carrying a cup of warm water. He glanced at Chloe on the sofa: "Has Julianna arrived yet?" Chloe’s eyes flickered, then she hooked her arm around his, smiling sweetly: "Julianna just called. She said she knows she was wrong and will show up on time for the engagement tomorrow." "Really?" Damian raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Of course," Chloe purred, snuggling closer. "I turned your phone off for you. Last time she cried, you caved immediately, and it only made her more demanding. Let her stew for one night so she finally learns to behave." Damian hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded. The next day, the engagement party went on as planned. I stood outside the ICU, staring blankly at the wildly fluctuating monitor. "The donor heart that was reserved... was suddenly canceled. We don't know why." "I'm afraid the patient won't make it through today." Trembling, I pulled out my phone and dialed his number again and again. Still switched off. The doctors pressed defibrillator paddles to Grandma’s frail chest. Her tiny body jolted upward, then fell limp. Suddenly, my legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the cold hospital tiles. A searing, tearing agony ripped through my lower abdomen. Warm, thick fluid slowly trickled down the inside of my thighs. Darkness swallowed my vision, pulling me into an endless abyss. Meanwhile, headlines clearing Chloe flooded the internet: [Shocking Truth: Julianna Vance Was the Real Homewrecker All Along! Damian and Chloe Were Childhood Sweethearts!] [What a joke! Her mother claimed to be driven to suicide by a mistress, yet her own daughter is stealing someone's fiancé!] At the grand venue, Damian stood in a tailored tuxedo, anxiously waiting for his bride. The grand hall was packed with guests. The cathedral doors slowly swung open. Watching the bride in the diamond gown take slow steps toward him, Damian’s face softened with profound relief and love. He stepped forward and lifted the veil. It was Chloe. The smile vanished from his face instantly. He surged forward, his eyes wide with fury: "Why the hell is my bride you?!" Before anyone could breathe, Secretary Carter stumbled through the doors, his face deathly pale: "Mr. Pierce! Urgent call from the hospital! Miss Julianna Vance..."