Chapter 2
Countdown: 25 days.
The past five days, his usually clean–cut social feed had blown up.
They were feeding pigeons at Riverwalk Plaza by day, watching parades from the hotel rooftop at night.
Every moment, captured and shared.
He never mentioned the fireworks he promised me.
I sighed and started packing.
I’d barely cleared the mess when Spencer’s assistant called.
“Ma’am, don’t forget–8 PM, Firefly Bridge.”
“The fireworks show. Please don’t skip it.”
“If anything goes wrong, Spencer will kill me.”
Eight years of marriage–and he’s still the only one who calls me “ma’am.”
The only person who knows I’m Spencer’s wife.
I didn’t want to make it hard for him.
So I agreed.
But when I actually got close to Firefly Bridge, I hesitated.
Five years ago, when we’d just tied the knot…
Spencer secretly arranged a private fireworks show for me.
His assistant had tipped me off then, too.
Chapter 2
Five years later, same bridge.
But I’m not the same woman.
The place was packed.
Tourists everywhere.
Even some news crews.
I started wondering if I’d mixed up the date.
So I called Spencer.
Busy signal.
I called again.
Still nothing.
I’m not even sure what I was hoping for.
But no answer.
And no Spencer.
It was nearly 8.
Someone in the crowd shouted, “It’s starting!”
“This is the fireworks show Spencer planned for his fiancée.”
“Guess we’re lucky to crash it!”
I froze.
Spencer had always played the role of a bachelor in public.
That “fiancée” couldn’t be me.
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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
Chapter 2
Had to be her.
I knew the best view was from the north end of the bridge.
Since I was already here…
Might as well watch.
Fireworks can’t lie.
But the crowd was thick, and I got pushed forward.
Right into the front row.
That’s when I saw him.
Spencer.
Holding Isabella in the best spot, arms wrapped tight.
Fireworks lit up the sky behind them.
And I heard his voice–over the noise, over the cheers.
Confessing his love to her.
A reporter shoved a mic toward Isabella.
“And your answer, ma’am?”
Spencer pulled her close, eyes full of hope.
Isabella smiled shyly, opened her mouth…
And that’s when our eyes met.
Spencer flinched, shocked.
“Valentina…”
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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marvinna’s Worst Nightmare
And just like that, the crowd went silent.
Even the fireworks faded into the background.
Everyone was looking.
At him.
At me.
Isabella turned toward me and raised a brow.
“Who’s that?”
Spencer looked like he’d swallowed glass.
Trying to think of a way out.
I smiled and answered, loud and clear.
“I’m Valentina. Spencer’s…”
He panicked, tried to stop me.
But I finished the sentence-
“Cousin.”
His tension melted in an instant,
He even nodded in approval.
He never wanted me known as his wife.
And his mother agreed.
That’s why she always made me call her “aunt” in public.
For five years, I’ve been the perfect secret.
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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
1.4%
Chapter 2
The show went on.
And no one cared about me anymore.
Then the rain started.
Heavy, sudden.
Spencer rushed to get Isabella out of the storm.
“She’s sensitive to cold–excuse us!”
He shielded her like glass.
Got her in the car.
Left me standing in the rain.
Soaked to the bone.
But not cold.
Guess after five years of this marriage…
I’d stopped feeling anything a long time ago.
12:53
