He called her the "one" for a night? My dice made sure he paid with his life

Crushed But Goodbye by Austen 1 Summary In the first chapter of "Crushed But Goodbye" by Austen, the protagonist finds herself in a whirlwind of emotions at her engagement celebration, which quickly turns into a shocking revelation. As she enters the club, she sees her boyfriend, Garrett, triumphantly announcing his drunken marriage to his friend, Piper. The atmosphere shifts from excitement to disbelief for her, as she feels like an outsider in a moment that should be joyous.

The cheers around her feel hollow, and she grapples with feelings of betrayal and confusion as Garrett downplays the situation, insisting it was just a drunken mistake that would be annulled. The tension escalates when Garrett's irritation becomes palpable, and the protagonist confronts him with a defiant attitude. Despite his attempts to brush her concerns aside, she refuses to back down, challenging him about the implications of his actions.

The presence of Piper only intensifies the emotional turmoil, as she flippantly reassures the protagonist that nothing is happening between her and Garrett. This insincerity deepens the protagonist's sense of isolation and frustration, as she recalls past instances where Piper's antics disrupted their plans. As the night progresses, the atmosphere shifts to one of competitive excitement with a game involving dice, where stakes are raised and personal items are wagered.

Garrett's possessive behavior towards Piper and his cold demeanor towards the protagonist further highlight the emotional chasm between them. When Garrett casually tosses away a gift the protagonist had given him, it symbolizes the deterioration of their relationship. In a moment of resolve, she decides to join the game, putting her own jewelry on the line, signaling her willingness to confront the chaos of the night head-on despite her heartache.

Overall, the chapter encapsulates a night filled with betrayal, confusion, and a fight for self-assertion, leaving the protagonist at a crossroads in her relationship with Garrett. The vibrant yet chaotic setting of the club mirrors her emotional state, as she grapples with the realization that the man she loves has chosen to celebrate a reckless decision with someone else, forcing her to reevaluate her own worth and the future of their relationship.

Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **TITLE: Crushed But Goodbye by Austen** **Chapter 1** The evening prior to our engagement celebration felt electric with anticipation, but as I stepped into the club, the vibrant atmosphere quickly shifted into something surreal. There, amidst the pulsating lights and thumping bass, I spotted my boyfriend, Garrett. He was perched on a barstool, a marriage certificate waving in the air like a trophy, his voice booming over the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen-Piper and I are officially married!" Piper?

His so-called "girl bro." She was right there at the table, raising her glass with a grin that felt almost too triumphant. The cheers from the crowd swelled around me, but I felt like an outsider in my own life. Garrett's gaze caught mine, and for a fleeting moment, annoyance flickered across his face before he brushed it away like a pesky fly. "We were just drunk. We'll get it annulled in the morning. Come on, don't look at me like that-this is Vegas. Nothing's 'too far' before sunrise!" His words dripped with a casualness that made my stomach churn.

Piper leaned over, her eyes sparkling as she spotted me, and flashed a mischievous smile before turning back to the revelers. "Hey, we've got the certificate! A one-night marriage is still legal, so... where are our wedding gifts?" Laughter erupted around the table, filling the air with a sense of camaraderie that felt like a slap in the face. Cole, one of Garrett's friends, slapped the table, his enthusiasm infectious. "Hell yeah! That west suburbs development project? It's yours.

But house rules-you want the gift, you gotta win it at dice!" I remained silent, my heart pounding as I walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down. Garrett's jaw tightened, and I could see the frustration simmering beneath the surface. He hissed under his breath, "Tessa, go home." I met his gaze, my smile sharp and unyielding. "Oh? Don't you want MY wedding gift?" I leaned back, my posture relaxed yet defiant. "I'M IN." The table fell into a stunned silence, the laughter dying away as they processed my words.

Garrett reached out, attempting to pull me against him, but I shifted back just enough to slip from his grasp, my expression impassive as I turned my attention to Piper. "Keep your hands to yourself. That's your wife sitting right there, isn't it?" 11:50 He Called Her 'The One' For A Night? My Dice Made Sure He Paid With His Life 0.0% **Chapter 1** Garrett's face darkened, irritation bleeding into his tone like a storm cloud rolling in. "I've told you a million times-Piper and I are friends.

If there was actually something going on, you wouldn't even be here." I chose silence, letting his words wash over me like the familiar tide of disappointment. I had heard it all before, the same tired excuses echoing in my mind. Because Piper forgot about our plans. Because Piper left me stranded on the side of the road. Because Piper got drunk, and Garrett had to rush out in the middle of the night to pick her up. And now? A drunken wedding in Vegas. Every single time, the same damn excuse. We're just friends.

The mood in the room shifted, the laughter fading as Piper noticed the tension and scooted closer, plopping herself right into Garrett's lap. "Alright, enough. Drop it." She turned to me, her smile saccharine and insincere. "Tessa, seriously, there's nothing going on between me and Garrett. We were just wasted tonight. We'll get it annulled tomorrow. If it bothers you-" she paused, tilting her head as if genuinely curious. "-my bad." Before I could muster a response, she grabbed a bottle from the table and began chugging it like it was water, her carefree attitude infuriating me.

Garrett's face twisted in disapproval as he yanked the bottle away from her, snapping at her with a harshness that felt misplaced. "What the hell are you doing? You've had enough." Then he turned to me, his expression as frigid as ice, as if I were the source of all his problems. "Tessa Sinclair, don't push it." A bitter laugh escaped my lips, surprising even myself. "It's fine. I can take a joke just fine. Besides, I've got nothing else going on tonight.

You guys always say I never hang out anyway, right?" The table froze, the air thick with awkwardness, before the others jumped in to smooth over the tension. "Oh, that's awesome, Tessa! We've been wanting you to come out forever. Garrett's always gatekeeping you." Cole Brennan, one of Garrett's oldest friends, shot a pointed look across the table, his eyes filled with mischief. "Garrett, get over here and take care of Tessa." But Garrett merely let out a cold laugh, leaning back into the couch, pulling Piper firmly onto his lap, his hand possessively resting around her waist.

"Don't look at me. She's my wife tonight." When I didn't react beyond a faint, unbothered smile, the group began to rev up the excitement again. "Alright, alright, congrats you two. So what are we playing again?" Piper was thriving in the spotlight, her laughter ringing out like a bell, carefree and infectious. "Standard table rules-dice. But since our good girl Tessa's here tonight, and she probably doesn't know how we usually play, let's keep it simple. Just high roll wins." "Loser drinks, obviously.

But since we're celebrating me and Garrett tying the knot, let's raise the stakes a bit." A collective groan erupted from the group. "No way. Everyone here knows you and Garrett are dice sharks. Now that you two are on the same team, the rest of us are screwed." Garrett's hand remained firmly on Piper's waist, his focus unwavering, not sparing me a single glance. He smirked, cold and confident, a predator surveying his territory. "Then forfeit." Cole's eyes lit up with competitive fire as he pulled off his Patek Philippe watch and tossed it onto the table with a heavy thunk. "Alright, I'm in.

Just got this baby last week." The club music thumped louder, the bass shaking the floor beneath us, and the energy at the table crackled with excitement. Everyone began pulling off jewelry and watches, tossing them into the center pile like offerings to the gods of chance. Another girl, Mara, threw down a stunning Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet, the sparkle drawing gasps from the crowd. Garrett remained silent, simply unfastening his custom Hermès cufflinks and adding them to the pile. I froze, my breath hitching in my throat. Those were the ones I had given him as a gift for our anniversary.

Piper was practically bouncing in his lap now, tugging on his hand like a child demanding attention. "I want that bracelet. Win it for me, babe~" I didn't utter a word. Instead, I removed my diamond studs and set them on the table, my voice steady and devoid of emotion. "Congrats on the wedding. I'm in." Conclusion As the night wore on, the atmosphere shifted from one of celebration to a tense battlefield, where every roll of the dice felt like a reflection of our crumbling relationship.

I had entered the club as a hopeful fiancée, only to find myself standing on the precipice of betrayal and heartbreak. Each laugh that erupted from Garrett and Piper cut deeper than the last, revealing the stark reality of my situation: I was no longer a participant in my own life, but a mere observer to the spectacle of their twisted romance. The stakes had risen, and with every wager, I felt my resolve harden. I was done being the silent partner in their game. I would reclaim my narrative, even if it meant playing a dangerous hand.

In that moment, as the dice clattered against the table and the cheers of the crowd echoed around me, I understood that this was not just about winning a game or retrieving lost tokens of affection. It was about asserting my worth and reclaiming my identity, which had been overshadowed by Garrett's whims and Piper's insidious charm. I had been crushed, but I would not remain broken. With each roll, I was not just gambling with chips; I was betting on my own freedom, my own future.

Will Tessa's unwavering resolve to stand her ground lead to a shocking revelation, or will it only deepen the rift between her and Garrett? As the dice roll, so too do the secrets that have long lingered in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to emerge. Moreover, the dynamic between Tessa, Garrett, and Piper is bound to shift dramatically. With Piper's overconfidence and Garrett's dismissive attitude, Tessa is poised to reclaim her power in a way that could either devastate or liberate her.

The atmosphere of the club, charged with energy and anticipation, will serve as the backdrop for pivotal confrontations and unexpected alliances. Readers can expect a thrilling blend of emotion, competition, and the inevitable fallout that comes when loyalties are tested and the truth cannot remain hidden any longer. Will Tessa finally break free from the chains of her past, or will the night spiral out of control, leaving her with more questions than answers? Dex Morgan Dex Morgan works to elevate each story with clean writing, emotional balance, and thoughtful flow for readers.