Hot Shower, Cold Heart by Mark Twain 28
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Leah finally got what she wanted.
She insisted on a huge, extravagant wedding.
She wanted everyone to know that *she* was Stellan Vance’s legitimate wife.
Stellan didn’t object. He went through the motions like he was checking off a to-do list, meeting every demand she
made.
The wedding was over-the-top. The dress was the most expensive custom gown. Guests packed the venue. The media covered every detail.
On the day of the wedding, church bells rang out across the city.
Leah wore a pristine white gown, beaming as she walked down the petal-covered aisle on Stellan’s arm.
In the audience, Oceane and the rest of their friends clapped enthusiastically, faces full of joy.
“She really waited so long for this. I’m so happy for her.”
“Yeah, and it’s about time Stellan moved on. Ella’s been gone for so long now.”
“They’re perfect together. Leah’s so bubbly-she’ll cheer him up.
Stellan stood in front of the officiant, listening to the familiar vows, but his eyes were fixed on nothing.
His mind was somewhere else.
Once upon a time, he’d imagined his wedding with Ella countless times.
He’d pictured her in a wedding dress-elegant, ethereal, like moonlight on lilies.
He’d imagined her, a little shy, placing her hand in his.
He’d imagined them exchanging rings, promising each other forever…
But now, standing beside him in that dream wedding dress, was Leah.
And the people cheering below were the same ones who’d once cheered for him and Ella.
Life was cruel.
1 Me Military Husband’s Affair
23.1%
Chapter 9
What a sick joke.
“…Stellan Vance, do you take Leah Morningstar to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
The officiant’s voice yanked him back to reality.
Stellan was silent for a few seconds. He felt Leah’s anxious gaze beside him. Felt everyone watching.
He opened his mouth. The words “I do” felt like they weighed a thousand pounds.
Finally, he heard a flat, lifeless voice escape his throat.
“I do.”
Those two words felt like the final verdict on everything he’d ever loved or hoped for.
The chaotic wedding finally ended.
Stellan dragged himself back to their new house, exhausted.
Leah was still in the living room with Oceane and a few other friends, gushing about the wedding, showing off the massive diamond on her finger.
Stellan had no interest in joining them. He headed straight for the stairs, planning to lock himself in his study.
But as he turned the corner, he heard voices drifting up from the living room-lowered, but not low enough.
It was Leah’s voice, slightly drunk and completely unguarded.
“Oceane, today was *perfect*! I finally beat Ella! Everything she had is mine now!”
Oceane laughed. “You really pulled it off. Though I gotta say, it was risky. Good thing you were smart enough to fake the depression and forge that letter…”
Stellan couldn’t hear the rest.
*Fake the depression.*
*Forge that letter.*
The words hit him like a lightning bolt. His blood ran cold. He froze on the stairs, hands trembling.
He held his breath and moved closer, silent as a ghost.
09:58 rest
Hot Shower, Cold Heart: How Water Temperature Exposed My Military Husband’s Affair
23.4%
Chapter 9
Leah let out a mocking laugh, her voice dripping with venom.
“Hah. Who does Ella think she is, trying to compete with me? Dad’s love was “mine”. Stellan was always supposed to
be “mine”.”
“That death certificate and the letter? I paid a “fortune” to make them look real…”
“You should’ve seen Stellan’s face when he thought I was suicidal. He actually believed I had depression! Pathetic.”
“But seriously, Oceane, I couldn’t have done it without you backing me up at the hospital. You really sold the whole ‘Ella drove me to this’ story…”
Oceane: “Oh, stop! Just don’t forget about me now that you’re Mrs. Vance. Congrats, by the way!”
“Haha, thanks! I *am* Mrs. Vance now! And Ella? That bitch is probably rotting in some gutter somewhere. Or maybe she’s actually dead by now. Either way, she’ll never get in my way again.”
Stellan couldn’t hear anything after that.
He stood in the shadows, feeling like his chest had been ripped open. The world spun and collapsed around him.
Fake.
All of it. Fake.
In the darkness, Stellan’s fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. Hiś nails dug into his palms, drawing blood-but the pain was nothing compared to the rage tearing through him,
Fake.
The depression was fake.
The story about Ella driving her to it-fake.
The letter that had haunted him, weighed on him like a chain around his neck-*fake*.
He’d been played like a fool. Manipulated by Leah and Oceane, He’d driven away the woman he loved with his own hands. And now… maybe he’d even gotten her killed.
Leah’s words echoed in his mind: *”Or maybe she’s actually dead by now.”*
Each word was a poisoned blade, stabbing straight into his heart.
♡ (0)
⊙ (0)
23.6%
Joseph King is an editor and storyteller who ensures every chapter is clear, polished, and engaging for readers.
Join Our WhatsApp Channel For Fast Update Or More Novels: 
Join Our WhatsApp Channel For Fast Update Or More Novels: