runaway marriage I ran away three days before my wedding .
Ethan , my fiancé , killed himself in our new house and left everything to me .
While I was packing up his things , I saw walls covered in my pictures , the floor still stained with blood .
His assistant told me , Mr.
Hayes loved you for years .
His depression was severe .
Seeing you , thinking of you , was the only thing that made him feel better … Everything was terrifying , suffocating , and strangely , incredibly sad .
So , when I got a second chance , faced with my best friend Liams escape plan , I smiled and said , Im not going .
I wanted to see just how far gone this man who supposedly loved me was .
Ethan died three days after I ran .
My dad and brother apologetically told him Id skipped town , and as they drove away from his mansion, they got the news : Ethan had slit his wrists .
He didnt make it .
His will , already prepared , left everything to me .
I was in Canada when I got the call from my brother .
I went numb .
To me , Ethan was a stranger whod forced a marriage proposal on my family .
But everything pointed to a long- standing , deep love for me .
I flew back for the funeral , stiffly accepting Ethans ashes .
He had no family ; his background was a mystery .
His assistant looked sadly at the urn and murmured , He loved you for years .
His depression was crippling ; only you , the thought of you , kept him going .
I thought … I thought if you married him , hed be okay .
But … He trailed off .
He wasnt blaming me , but the guilt twisted in my out .
He gave me a key This is く the estate Mr.
Hayes bought for you .
The house he decorated for your wedding .
The place he died .
The estate was huge , with green lawns and even a private horse track .
Everything was in my favorite shade of sapphire blue .
The furniture , the décor , all my taste .
One room was filled with pictures of me .
From sophomore year of college onwards snapshots of my life , like hed been watching me .
The bloodstains on the floor were dark and stark .
It was all horrifying , suffocating .
And I was so , so sad .
Then the anger hit .
If he loved me , why didnt he say something ? Why barge into my life , demanding marriage ? How could I have ever said yes ? Was this his plan all along ? To die and make me feel guilty for the rest of my life ? Fat chance .
I donated everything , including the house .
The cleaning く crew ripped the photos off the walls , tossing them onto the floor to cover the blood .
Ethan Hayes , with his short , strange life , vanished .
It took me three days to accept Id been given a second chance .
Three days ago , Ethan had come to my family , practically forcing a proposal down our throats .

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Liam , my best friend since childhood , immediately told me to run , hide out in Canada .
Thats what I did last time .
This time , remembering the photos , the blood , I shook my head .
Im not running .
| said , I need to find out why he wanted to marry me .
Ethan was a big deal .
He was in a meeting when I arrived .
His assistant took me to his office .
Hell be down shortly .
I just nodded .
He was quick .
Before Id even finished my tea , he strode in , fastening his cufflinks .
He く stopped when he saw me .
Ms.
Gray , he said , his face cold and distant , like I was a stranger .
His coldness threw me .
Mr.
Hayes , I finally asked , my father says you want to marry me .
Why ? I want to , thats reason enough .
He said .
I was speechless .
How was I supposed to respond to that ? I grabbed my purse .
Ill be going then .
Ethans expression flickered with surprise .
Leaving already ? | stared at him until his face went pale , a look of resignation washing over him .
He stepped aside to let me pass .
If I hadnt known he supposedly loved me , I wouldve thought he was messing with me .
I sighed and grabbed his sleeve .
How about we have dinner ? Our interaction clearly unnerved Ethans assistant .
As I left , he apologized profusely .
Mr.
Hayes isnt good with … women .
Please dont be offended , Ms.
Gray .
Im not く offended .
I smiled .
I rather like his … look .
Its very much my type .
The office door wasnt completely closed .
I saw Ethan touch his face , looking bewildered .
I grinned at the assistant .
Im taking your boss to dinner tonight .
Remind him , okay ? Dont let him stand me up .
He nodded frantically , like I might change my mind .
As I walked out , my phone buzzed .
Liam .
I ignored it , staring at the clouds , my mind racing .
Liam was a good friend .
He always looked out for me .
But best friends , like all relationships , fade .
Like they did last time .
He met someone , got married , had kids .
We drifted apart .
When I was trapped in the mountains with a research team , his wife answered his phone and mocked me for being a spinster .
Liam was there , silent .
I died out there , alone .
I wonder if he even cared .
く Ethan arrived early for dinner .
The atmosphere was frigid .
I tried to make conversation , but he was a one word answer machine .
I put my cutlery down .
Mr.
Hayes , youre making me think you dont actually want to marry me .
He swallowed , looking down .
Im sorry .
Thats not what I want to hear .
I was getting frustrated .
Youre a business tycoon , a ruthless negotiator .
You read people like books .
Yet youre acting like … you have zero interest in me .
His knuckles went white as he gripped his hands .
Dont think that , he said , his voice tight .
Its just … Ive never been this close to you before .
Its … unsettling .
This sudden , almost confession like statement surprised me .
His nervousness , the way he was hurting himself , it seemed genuine .
I remembered his assistants words : Only seeing you made him feel better Mr Haves Lasked suddenly .
く curious , have we met before ?