His Ex Moved Into Our New Home, So I Canceled the Wedding

I stayed by Carters side during his hardest five years, only to finally get his proposal.

The night before our engagement party, I made him a plate of handmade spaghetti.

It was his birthday.

I took half a day off work, simmered the sauce for four hours, and hand-wrote every single wedding invitation.

But when he came home, there was a woman in a white dress standing behind him.

It was Seraphina, the first love he had pined over for years.

Sera saw the food on the table and smiled softly.

"Carter has a very sensitive stomach now, Chloe. He probably isnt used to this kind of home-cooked stuff anymore, right?"

Carter took off his coat and draped it naturally over her shoulders.

"She spent a long time making it. Just have a few bites."

It sounded like a favor. Like charity.

Sera sat in my usual seat and twirled a single strand of pasta.

"It's a bit salty."

Carter looked at me.

"Put less salt next time."

I quietly said okay.

But the next second, he slid a black card in front of me.

"Sera just returned to the country and has nowhere to stay. Shell be staying in our new house for now."

"You should go stay at Helens place for a while. Theres plenty of cash on the card. Dont make things hard for yourself."

I looked at the spaghetti clumping together, then at the invitations with our names on them.

The handwriting was so neat, yet so ridiculous.

When Carter slid the card in front of me, Sera was still sitting in my seat, slowly playing with the cold pasta.

The spaghetti was completely soggy.

Yet she acted like she didn't notice, looking up with a sweet smile. "Chloe, please don't misunderstand. Im really just staying here for a few days."

Carter draped his coat over the chair, his voice flat. "Chloe, go stay with Helen for now. Ill have someone pick you up before the wedding."

I stared at him. "That is our house."

"The deed is under my name."

He paused, as if realizing he sounded too harsh, and softened his tone. "Don't throw a tantrum. Sera just got back. She doesn't know her way around, and I don't feel comfortable leaving her in a hotel."

Sera lowered her head. "Carter, maybe I should just leave. Chloe seems to really mind."

Carter frowned. "No need."

Suddenly, my throat felt incredibly tight.

We chose that house together.

I remembered telling him how the south-facing balcony would be perfect for growing mint and jasmine. He had replied that the kitchen needed to be huge so I would have plenty of room to cook.

I believed him.

So on the day we got the keys, I stood in the kitchen holding our new plates, feeling happy for hours.

It turned out that all that excitement was mine alone.

I picked up the invitations from the table. "What about the wedding?"

Carter looked at me. "It goes on as planned."

"Where does my mom sit?"

He looked like he had just remembered my mother existed. "Seras health isn't good, so she needs to be at the VIP table where I can look after her. Helen can sit at the second table. Its the same thing."

I let out a dry laugh. "My mom has bad legs."

"I'll have the staff arrange a wheelchair."

He thought of everything.

Sera put her fork down and sighed softly. "Chloe, Carter is already being so good to you. The wedding, the house, the ringhe hasn't skimped on anything."

"You shouldn't be too greedy."

I looked at Carter.

He didn't contradict her.

The tiny spark of hope left in my heart was completely snuffed out by his silence.

I put the invitations back on the table. "Im not leaving tonight."

Carters brows furrowed. "Chloe, don't make this difficult for me."

"I won't."

I took the plate of spaghetti, walked into the kitchen, and dumped it into the trash can.

Carter followed me inside, grabbing my wrist. "It's just a plate of pasta. Is this really necessary?"

"You're right."

I looked down at the empty plate.

"It's just a plate of pasta."

He was quiet for a moment, then reached for the plate. "Ill have the housekeeper make you something else."

I stepped back, avoiding his touch.

Sera stood at the kitchen doorway, her voice sounding as soft as cotton. "Carter, let it go. I don't think Chloe wants to see me right now."

Carter let go of my wrist and turned to her.

"Go get some rest first."

Standing in the kitchen, I watched him open the door to the master bedroom for her.

In that room, I chose the bedsheets.

I installed the bedside lamp.

Even the closet still held the silk pajamas I had bought for our wedding night.

Before Sera stepped inside, she glanced back at me.

She smiled.

The door clicked shut.

And in my hand, a hairline crack suddenly split across the empty ceramic plate.

The next morning, I woke up on the couch.

I was covered with Carters suit jacket.

I stared at it for a few seconds. Just as I was about to sit up, I heard Sera's voice coming from the kitchen. "Carter, does Chloe hate me? She slept on the couch last night. Was she trying to make me feel guilty?"

Carters voice was low. "Shes just stubborn. Shell get over it in a couple of days."

"Are you going to blame me?"

"No."

"But you used to say you didn't want a noisy home after marriage."

Carter paused. "Chloe is very sensible."

I pulled the jacket off, folded it neatly, and placed it on the armrest.

Sensible.

Always "sensible."

I walked into the kitchen. Sera was holding a cup of warm milk, wearing my pajamas.

She gasped when she saw me, looking startled. "Chloe, Im so sorry. I didn't bring any clothes last night, and Carter said I could wear yours."

Carter looked at me. "It's just a set of pajamas."

I looked back at him. "Do you know that my mom bought those for me?"

He froze.

My mom didn't know how to shop online. She spent hours in a department store picking those out, saying a girl should wear something comfortable and beautiful after getting married.

I had been saving them.

Sera bit her lip. "Should I take them off and give them back to you now?"

Carter frowned. "Sera."

Then he turned to me. "Chloe, don't be so petty."

I nodded. "Right. Im the petty one."

Carter clearly didn't like my tone. He reached out to pull my arm. "Go wash up. We're going to try on wedding dresses today."

Sera's eyes lit up, but she quickly looked down. "A wedding dress... that sounds wonderful."

Carter noticed.

He always noticed Seras emotions instantly.

Half an hour later at the bridal boutique, the stylist rolled out the wedding dress I had custom-ordered.

Before I could even touch it, Sera whispered, "Its so beautiful."

Carter looked at her. "Want to try it on?"

My fingers went stiff.

Sera waved her hands quickly. "Thats not right. Its Chloe's."

But Carter was already speaking to the stylist. "Bring another one in a size S."

I looked at him. "Carter."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sera just wants to see how it looks. Don't overthink everything."

Sera went into the fitting room.

When she came out, even the boutique staff gasped.

She was very thin. Wearing my dress, the waistline hung loose.

Carter stood in front of her, gently adjusting her veil.

His movements were so natural, as if he had done it a thousand times.

The stylist smiled. "Mr. and Mrs. Carter look so perfect together."

The air went dead silent.

Carter didn't correct her.

Sera blushed. "Don't say that. The real bride is over there."

Everyone turned to look at me.

I was sitting in the corner, still clutching the fitting receipt with my name on it.

Carter finally looked back. "Chloe, go ahead and try yours."

I stood up. But before I could walk over, Sera suddenly tripped on the long train of the dress and fell forward.

Carter caught her instantly, his voice tightening. "Are you hurt?"

Sera leaned into his chest. "I think I sprained my ankle."

He picked her up in his arms immediately, turning to me. "Try it on yourself. Send me the pictures."

I watched them walk out.

The stylist asked in a low, awkward voice, "Miss Helen... do you still want to try it on?"

I looked down at the dress another woman had just worn.

Suddenly, I felt completely drained.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from my mom.

*Chloe, does the dress look beautiful? Mom is waiting for pictures.*

I stared at the screen for a long time.

Then, I turned it off.

Carter didn't return until evening.

He walked in holding a box of cake.

"I bought this for you. Don't be mad anymore."

I looked at the logo on the box.

It was from Seras favorite bakery.

He had waited in line with me there once. I found it too sweet and didn't finish it.

Back then, he said he would remember that.

It turned out he didn't remember my taste. He remembered hers.

I asked, "How is Sera's ankle?"

"She's fine. The doctor said she just needs to rest for a few days."

"What about the wedding dress?"

Carter set the cake down. "We'll order a new one."

"Is there enough time?"

"We'll just pay extra for rush delivery."

He was always like this.

As if money could erase any insult.

I took out my phone. "My mom wants to see the wedding photos."

Carter hesitated. "Don't send them to her yet."

"Why?"

"The boutique staff posted a video of Sera in the dress on TikTok. People in our circle saw it. I don't want Helen to misunderstand."

I smiled. "Misunderstand what?"

He looked at me, annoyed. "Chloe, do you have to talk like that?"

Sera came out of the master bedroom, her ankle wrapped in a bandage, leaning against the doorframe. "Carter, don't blame Chloe. Its my fault."

I ignored her and looked straight at Carter. "Make her move out."

Carters expression darkened. "She can't even walk right now."

"She can stay at a hotel with a nurse."

"She isn't comfortable with strangers."

"And Im not comfortable with another woman living in my future home."

He fell silent.

Seras tears began to fall. "Chloe, if you really can't stand me, Ill leave right now."

She started hobbling toward the door.

Carter immediately caught her, his tone dropping. "Stop nonsense."

Then, he turned to me. "Chloe, apologize."

I thought I heard him wrong.

"What did you say?"

"Sera didn't mean any harm. Your words hurt her."

I clenched my fists. "And what about me?"

Carter frowned. "You are my fiance. You shouldn't be so petty with her."

Fiance.

The word sounded so cheap coming from his mouth.

I remembered the year his stomach ulcers got so bad that he called me at three in the morning.

I rushed across the city to make him soup and stayed by his hospital bed all night.

He had leaned back and told me, *Chloe, I promise our home will always have a light left on for you.*

The light was still on.

But it was shining on someone else.

I didn't apologize.

Carter didn't force me either. He just pulled out his iPad. "I had the digital invitations updated."

My chest tightened. "Updated to what?"

"Sera is going to attend as a guest of honor. We added her name to the bridal party speeches."

I took the iPad and saw the digital invitation. Seras name was prominently displayed in the family speech section.

My mother's name had been pushed to the very bottom.

I pointed at the screen. "Put my mom's name back where it was."

Carter said, "The schedule is set. Don't make a scene."

Sera whispered, "Chloe, Im sure Helen doesn't care about these minor details, right?"

I couldn't take it anymore. I threw the iPad onto the couch.

Carters face went completely cold. "Chloe, youre becoming unrecognizable lately."

I asked, "Then what should I be like?"

He stared at me, speaking very slowly. "At least, you shouldn't make me feel so exhausted."

Something blocked my throat.

Sera spoke up at the perfect moment. "Carter, let's drop it. Don't we have to meet your mother tomorrow to sign the prenup? Don't let me ruin your important day."

The prenup.

I looked at Carter.

He avoided my gaze. "It's just a formality."

But at that moment, a horrible feeling washed over me.

When the prenuptial agreement was placed in front of my mom, her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

Carter sat across from her, his voice smooth and polite. "Helen, this is just to protect both sides. Chloe won't be treated unfairly after we marry."

My mom didn't understand legal jargon, but she understood one specific clause.

*If the marriage is called off due to the bride's actions, the bride must return the engagement ring and reimburse all wedding expenses.*

She asked carefully, "What counts as 'the bride's actions'?"

Sera, sitting beside Carter, explained gently, "For example, if Chloes emotional instability damages the family reputation."

My moms face went completely pale.

I slammed the agreement shut. "We're not signing this."

Carter looked at me. "Don't be reckless."

"I said, Im not signing it."

His voice remained calm. "Chloe, the invitations are already out. If you make a scene now, what will the relatives think of Helen?"

That single sentence hit my weakest spot.

My mom had been excited about this wedding for months.

Whenever the neighbors asked, she would proudly tell them that Carter was a good man and that I was lucky.

I couldn't bear to imagine her face if she found out the truth.

Sera slid the pen toward me. "Chloe, just sign it. Carter would never hurt you."

I stared at the pen.

There was a scratch on the cap. It was a graduation gift I bought for Carter years ago.

He had told me he used that exact pen to sign his first big business contract.

Now, it was being used to force me into a corner.

Suddenly, my mom clutched her chest, gasping for air.

I jumped up in terror. "Mom!"

Carter stood up too. "Get her to the hospital."

On the way, Carter drove incredibly fast.

For a second, I thought he actually cared.

Until Sera's call came through the car speakers.

Her voice was panicked. "Carter, my ankle hurts so bad. I'm all alone at home."

Carter gripped the steering wheel, silent for two seconds.

I stared at him. "My mom is in the back seat."

"I know," he said.

But the car still pulled over at the next intersection.

He called his assistant and told him to meet us, then turned to me. "Hell go with you to the hospital. Ill get there as soon as I can."

I couldn't believe my ears. "Carter!"

He didn't look at me. "Sera is terrified of pain."

My mom leaned against me, weakly patting my hand. "Chloe, its fine. Let him go."

Even now, she was trying to save face for him.

I suddenly realized how pathetic my persistence had been.

At the hospital, the doctor said my mom had suffered an acute panic attack and needed to be admitted for observation.

When I went to pay, my card was declined.

The receptionist said, "This card has been frozen."

It was the secondary card Carter had given me for wedding emergencies.

I called him.

When it picked up, Sera's voice came through. "Chloe, Carter is wrapping my ankle. He's busy right now."

I said, "Put him on."

Carter took the phone. "What's wrong?"

"The card is frozen."

"I had my accountant freeze it."

His voice was cold. "Youre too emotional today. Take some time to calm down. My assistant will handle the hospital bills."

I gripped the phone tight. "My mom is waiting to be admitted!"

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then I heard Sera whisper in the background, "Carter, is Chloe still blaming me?"

Carter sighed. "Chloe, stop using Helen to guilt-trip me."

I couldn't say a single word.

My mother lying in a hospital bed had become nothing but a bargaining chip to him.

I had to text every contact in my phone to borrow enough money for the deposit.

At 2:00 AM, I went back to the house to pack some clothes for my mom.

The master bedroom door was ajar.

Carter was standing by the bed, tucking Sera in.

Sera asked, "What if Chloe refuses to sign the prenup tomorrow?"

Carter replied, "She will."

"Are you that sure?"

"She can't live without me."

Standing outside the door, my fingers went completely numb.

Sera asked again, "Do you love her?"

Carter was silent for a very long time.

So long that I thought he wouldn't answer.

Then I heard him say, "Shes suitable for marriage."