My Fiancé Sold Me to a Simpleton

After my brother Michael died, my fiancé Ethan was dead set on calling off our wedding.

He couldn't even look me in the eye.

"Before Michael passed," he said, "he made me promise to look after his wife, Sarah. She just lost her husband—she needs someone right now. It wouldn't be right for us to get married at a time like this."

In my past life, I had to drag both our families into it just to talk him out of it.

But the result? On the day of our engagement party, Sarah was nearly killed during a home invasion.

Ethan was convinced I was behind it. At our wedding, he stood in front of everyone and announced he was only marrying me because I'd threatened my nephew's life.

I became everyone's villain. My family disowned me. I was forced to marry a man with intellectual disabilities who eventually beat me to death.

This time, I said yes to breaking off the engagement and threw myself into my unfinished research in astronomy.

"Our families have agreed to call off the engagement," they told me. "As long as Grandma Eleanor gives her approval, the two of you are free to go."

Our parents left with helpless looks on their faces.

There was no sadness in Ethan's expression—only obvious relief and excitement. When he saw how quiet I was, he tried to hold back a smile.

"Ashley, I know you're upset, but this is just temporary. We can get married after Sarah has had time to heal."

"To keep Grandma from worrying," he added, "let's not announce the broken engagement yet."

I agreed, and a flash of joy lit up his eyes.

I knew he wasn't really worried about my grandmother. He just wanted to keep his status as my fiancé so he could stay close to Sarah and take care of her.

With that settled, Ethan rushed off to find Sarah, making up some excuse to leave.

As I watched him go, the memories of my past life came flooding back.

I thought that by agreeing to break up, I could avoid reliving that nightmare.

But just a few days later, rumors started spreading that I had forced Ethan into the engagement by threatening my nephew's life.

Everyone who knew our families also knew Ethan was my brother's best friend. It wasn't hard for people to believe he'd agree to marry me to protect Michael's only child.

Before long, I was the villain in everyone's story.

Even my parents kicked me out of the house—again.

While I was dealing with the pain of being abandoned by everyone, Ethan was busy comforting a "heartbroken" Sarah. He didn't come home for days.

When I finally saw him again, he was back at our place packing his things. He told me he was moving in with Sarah to take better care of her.

"People are saying I blackmailed you into marrying me by using my brother's child right after he died," I said. "Does any of that have to do with you?"

Ethan's eyes shifted. He answered dismissively, "Why does it matter what people say? It doesn't affect you."

His reaction crushed my last bit of hope.

I closed my eyes, exhausted. "Let's just announce we've broken up. I don't want to carry these accusations anymore."

When he heard that, Ethan threw what he was holding onto the floor and glared at me, furious.

"Ashley, can you stop being so selfish? Everyone's grieving Michael. Do you really have to stir up drama now?"

"Besides," he went on, "Sarah is fragile. If we announce this now, she might think we broke up because of her. Do you want to push her over the edge?"