My fiancé preferred his first love, so I ran away

chapter 1

"I've explained this to you countless times already. Jane has cancer and only has months to live. Her greatest wish is to leave behind a child for her family. She saved my life once, and now I have to help her fulfill this wish!"

Ariana had heard these words no less than a hundred times in the past month.

The first time Stefan made this request, she refused without hesitation.

But he didn't give up. Instead, he repeated it every day, his tone shifting from tentative to insistent, and now to this righteous questioning.

As if her refusal made her narrow-minded and ungrateful.

But even if it was a life-saving debt, how could it be repaid by having a child with another woman?

The arguments had lasted a month, and Ariana was already exhausted.

She looked at this man she'd been with for five years, her voice trembling slightly: "Stefan, we're getting married next month, and now you want to have a child with another woman. What about me? What do you take me for?"

It was the first time she'd broken down emotionally in front of him, her eyes dim as dying embers.

Stefan paused, his tone finally softening a bit: "Ariana, I know this is hard to accept, but I'm the only one who can help Jane. I can't just watch her leave with regrets. Besides, it's just artificial insemination. We won't have sexual relations. You love me, so you'll understand, right?"

Those words were like a dull knife, slowly cutting through her last thread of hope.

She finally understood that he had already made his decision.

Her feelings were nothing more than supporting dialogue in his script, irrelevant.

Stefan was about to say something more when his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the screen and immediately got up, walking toward the balcony.

Ariana watched his retreating figure, a bitter smile playing at her lips.

They had grown up together, from elementary school through college, over twenty years side by side.

She had always liked him, silently protecting him, while he remained oblivious.

It wasn't until graduation that he finally looked back and saw her, saying he was willing to try being with her.

Logically, after knowing each other for so long, they should have been the most intimate of lovers.

But five years had passed, and she had never even touched his phone once.

Even when taking calls, he always avoided her.

Once when he was bedridden with a high fever, his phone kept buzzing with messages.

She was afraid it would wake him and just wanted to put it on silent.

The moment her finger touched the screen, he suddenly opened his eyes and demanded to know why she was touching his phone.

No matter how she explained, he wouldn't listen.

That night, she curled up on the sofa and cried herself to sleep.

She had thought it was a sign of his insecurity, always believing that someday she could truly enter his heart.

But five years had passed, and his world remained locked to her.

And now, he wanted to cross the boundaries of marriage for another woman, completely disregarding her dignity and feelings.

Just then, Stefan returned, barely concealing his joy as he grabbed his coat and headed for the door: "I have something to take care of. I'm going out for a bit. Think it over some more."

His footsteps faded away, leaving the house in silence.

Ariana stood there, utterly disappointed.

The only person who could make him rush out at a time like this, besides Jane, would be no one else.

Sure enough, not long after, her phone vibrated. It was a photo from Jane.

She opened it, zoomed in, and the moment she saw what it was, she nearly lost her footing.

This was a pregnancy test report, and the expectant mother's name was none other than Jane!

Seeing the gestational age, Ariana felt even more lightheadedit clearly stated "three weeks pregnant"!

This meant that a month ago, Stefan had already undergone artificial insemination with Jane.

He never once considered discussing it with her, let alone seeking her consent.

If that was the case, why had Stefan kept asking her over the past month whether she was willing to accept this child?

Was it just to ease his own conscience?

Ariana instantly felt drained of all strength, collapsing onto the floor.

Her heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it impossible to breathe.

No wonder Stefan couldn't suppress the joy in his eyes earlier, leaving in such a hurry after that phone call.

He must have received news that the artificial insemination was successfulthat Jane was pregnant.

He was probably already at the hospital now, celebrating with Jane.

Ariana closed her eyes in anguish as endless sorrow spread through her heart.

She simply couldn't believe that the man she'd loved for so many years had become the father of another woman's child.

Just two months ago, she had successfully proposed to him, planning their wedding for next month. The dress and venue were already booked.

She had been looking forward to their wedding day, anticipating walking hand in hand with Stefan into the sacred halls of marriage.

But now, all those expectations had turned to bubbles, dissolving into thin air.

Just then, her phone vibrated, pulling Ariana back to reality.

She instinctively answered the call.

Sarah Oliver's crisp voice came through the phone: "Ariana, I know you're getting married, but I still want to ask one more timeare you sure you won't consider joining our lab?

You're Mr. Wood's most gifted student, and he's always hoped to have you on board.

Considering your upcoming marriage, Mr. Wood said he could make special arrangementsyou could work in the lab for two months, then take half a month off, so you'd have time to be with your husband."

Ariana had known about her mentor Tate Wood establishing a new laboratory in New York for half a year now.

He had personally called to invite her to join the lab and participate in the research.

But once you entered the lab, you couldn't contact the outside worldyou had to wait until the research was complete before leaving.

It could be as short as a month or two, or as long as a year or two.

Ariana had initially declined Tate's invitation because she couldn't bear to be separated from Stefan for so long, especially with no way to communicate.

But now, that pregnancy test report involuntarily flashed through her mind.

Stefan had already become the father of another woman's child.

Since he had never considered their relationship or cared about their upcoming marriage, there was no point in continuing with this wedding.

Ariana's grip on the phone tightened involuntarily: "Sarah, I'm willing to join the lab. No need for time offjust follow the normal research schedule."

Sarah's voice brightened with surprise: "That's wonderful! Mr. Wood will be so pleased.

When are you planning to come? How about a week after the wedding? That way you could still go on your honeymoon."

Ariana replied softly: "No need. I'll come on the wedding day itself."

Her gaze fell on the calendar on the table.

The tenth of next month was heavily circled in red marker.

Originally, she had marked it to remind herself of the approaching wedding and arrange related matters.

Now, this date had become her countdown to leaving Stefan.

Fifteen days leftshe'd treat it as a buffer period to say goodbye to over twenty years of feelings.

After fifteen days, she and Stefan would never see each other again.