He Said Love Has Faded

As a wealthy heiress, the most rebellious thing I'd ever done in my life was to be Bruce Kennan's mistress for ten years.

I fell for him at first sight, casting aside my dignity, and he promised me he would marry me.

But on the wedding day, his first love returned from overseas.

That very day, their intimate photos flooded the entertainment headlines.

His first love even posted on Instagram: [In the end, it's always you.]

The accompanying picture was a photo of Bruce kissing her.

People laughed at me, saying I had finally been discarded. I steeled myself. "Let this pair of scoundrels lock themselves away."

I steadied my emotions and thought to myself, "Let this pair of scoundrels be together forever."

*****

Today was supposed to be my wedding night with Bruce.

Instead, I saw pictures of him kissing another woman plastered across every entertainment news outlet.

Listening to the sounds of pleasure on my phone, my fingers clenched tightly, trembling uncontrollably.

I wanted to call him, to hear him say it was all a lie, so I could believe him.

But reality slapped me in the face.

I hung up, instinctively placing a hand on my stomach.

"I'm sorry, baby. Mommy failed you."

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

It wasn't until the early hours that Bruce finally returned.

"Why are you still awake?"

I forced a smile. "She's back, isn't she?"

Bruce's face showed impatience. "This has nothing to do with you."

Tears welled in my eyes. "Bruce, do you love me?"

"Cheryl, what's the point of asking me this? If it weren't for you using the baby to pressure both of our families, I wouldn't have married you," he said, his eyes narrowing with annoyance.

I cried harder. "What about the ten years we've been together?"

Bruce grabbed my chin. "Cheryl, as long as you behave and don't interfere with Selena, I promise the position of Mrs. Kennan is still yours."

He shoved me away, and I fell to the ground.

I looked up at him, eyes bloodshot. "Bruce, don't you have any love for me at all?"

Bruce fell silent.

I gazed at the man I had loved for a decade, forcing a smile as tears continued to fall.

I had thought that after ten years, I could warm his icy heart. I thought he would be happy about the baby.

But in his eyes, the child was merely a bargaining chip.

I closed my eyes. "Bruce, whether you believe it or not, I've never intended to use the baby as leverage."

He scoffed. "Cheryl, you live so hypocritically every day. Aren't you tired?"

With that, Bruce stormed off.

I sank to the cold floor, my heart feeling like it had been crushed repeatedly, struggling for breath.

I had known all along that he had an unforgettable first love, yet I still dove into this relationship headfirst.

I thought I could make him love me, but in the end, I became the joke.

Before Selena Malan even filed for divorce, Bruce had secretly kept an eye on her, fearing even the slightest harm would come to her.

Now that she was single, he could stand by her openly, while I remained in the shadows, forever unseen.

In this relationship, I had lost everything.

Slap!

"Cheryl, you really are useless. You can't even keep a man. I thought having you would end Bruce's infatuation with that little vixen."

My face swelled up immediately.

"Lisa, Bruce's heart was never truly with me." I bitterly pressed my lips together.

Bruce's mother despised Selena, thinking her celebrity status was unworthy of Bruce.

If it weren't for my parents giving me half their company shares as a wedding gift, she probably wouldn't have even allowed me into the Kennan family.

She pointed a finger at my forehead. "You useless thing! I'll make sure Bruce comes back today. You better seize this opportunity and get pregnant."

Tears trickled down my face.

Bruce thought I was using the baby as leverage to marry him, but the truth was, aside from him, I hadn't told anyone.

The happiness I believed I had meant nothing to him.