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

Crushed But Goodbye by Austen 17 Summary In Chapter 8 of "Crushed But Goodbye," the atmosphere is charged with tension as Kieran stands at the altar, grappling with his emotions during the wedding ceremony of his rival, Zane, and his former love, Mara. As Kieran mutters a strained "I do," he is lost in thoughts of what might have been, feeling a deep hollowness despite the supposed culmination of his desires. His companion, Dex, tries to draw his attention away, sensing Kieran's distraction and possessiveness toward him intensifying as he questions Kieran's feelings about the situation.

Meanwhile, Mara is in the bridal dressing room, revealing her manipulative nature to her mother, expressing her intent to ensure Kieran forgets Riley, the woman he once loved. This revelation hits Kieran like a shockwave, as he realizes the extent of the deceit surrounding him. Confronting Mara and her mother, he is engulfed in rage and disbelief, demanding answers about the orchestrated events that led to this moment. The confrontation escalates quickly, culminating in Kieran striking Mara in a moment of blind fury, feeling utterly betrayed.

As Kieran declares the wedding off, he is determined to find Riley and confront the truth of what has transpired. His anger and despair are palpable as he pushes past Mara and her mother, who plead for him to stay. However, Kieran is resolute in his decision to leave, feeling the weight of betrayal heavy on his heart. He rushes outside, only to discover that Riley and her companion have already left, leaving him with a profound sense of loss and regret. Ultimately, Kieran's journey in this chapter highlights the emotional turmoil of betrayal, love, and the desperate search for truth.

The intense confrontation with Mara reveals the deep scars of manipulation and the pain of unfulfilled dreams, culminating in Kieran's realization that he has been played, leaving him in a state of anguish as he grapples with the consequences of their actions. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **Chapter 8** The moment hung heavily in the air, a palpable tension that enveloped the gathering as the officiant's voice cut through the silence: "Mr. Zane, do you take Miss Mara as your wife?" Kieran, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts, was jolted back to the present.

His response, strained and barely audible, escaped through clenched teeth: "I do." As I stood there, rooted to the spot, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had been staring at the stage for far too long. Dex, sensing my distraction, stubbornly tugged at my hand, pulling me closer to him. Ever since I had laid my heart bare to him, his possessiveness had intensified, wrapping around us like a tight coil. "Do you regret it?" he asked, his voice low but laced with concern. I shook my head firmly, determination etched on my features.

"I just wanted to see how truly happy Kieran would be after all the trouble he went through to get what he wanted. Turns out, it's nothing special." Dex fell silent for a moment, his gaze piercing into mine. Then, without warning, he leaned down and pressed his lips against mine, his voice a commanding whisper: "Don't look at him. Look at me." I was taken aback, a rush of shyness flooding my cheeks as I met Dex's eyes. "What are you doing?" I stammered, surprised by the suddenness of his gesture.

Unbeknownst to us, our every action was being observed by someone standing on the stage, the weight of their gaze heavy and intrusive. As the ceremony drew to a close, Kieran strode purposefully toward the dressing room, irritation simmering just beneath the surface. This wedding with Mara was supposed to be the culmination of his desires, so why did he feel so hollow? Why did his mind keep replaying memories of his past with Riley, the woman he had once envisioned a future with? Just then, muffled voices drifted from the nearby bridal dressing room, drawing Kieran's attention.

He approached the door, hesitating for a brief moment before he could hear the conversation unfolding within. "Mara, once you marry Kieran, you must hold onto him tightly. All those staged 'shootings' and disappearances weren't for nothing!" Kieran froze, a chill of realization creeping through him as he felt his hands tremble with a mix of rage and disbelief. Mara's voice followed, steady yet deceptively sweet: "Don't worry, Mom. I orchestrated all of this to ensure Kieran loves only me and forgets that Riley Cortez woman entirely.

I succeeded-there's nothing to worry about." In an instant, the dressing room door swung open, and Kieran stood there like a vengeful spirit, an aura of fury radiating from him. He glared at the mother and daughter duo, his voice a low growl: "Say that again! Everything that happened before was a setup by you two, wasn't it? It had nothing to do with Riley?" Panic flickered in Mara's eyes as she stammered, "No, no, Kieran, I..." But before she could finish her thought, Kieran's hand shot out, gripping her throat with a fierce intensity.

"Answer me!" Fear seeped into Mara's expression, her voice trembling: "Kieran, I only did this because I love you. Please believe me, okay?" "I truly didn't mean to-I did it all because I love you!" she pleaded, desperation lacing her words. In a moment of blind fury, Kieran struck her across the face with a backhand, his rage boiling over: "You deceitful bitch!" He turned on his heel, ready to leave, but Mara, driven by desperation, stepped into his path. "Kieran, where are you going?" "What do you expect me to do if you walk away?" he spat back, his tone frosty.

Kieran's expression was hard as he sneered, "Get out of my way. Since you dared to deceive me, you must face the consequences. The wedding is off!" Mara and her mother exchanged panicked glances, scrambling to reach for his hands. "Kieran, please, don't go, okay?" But Kieran, in his fury, pushed them aside with little regard. All he wanted was to find Riley, to explain everything that had unfolded. He had been played by Mara, and he felt the sting of betrayal deep within him.

Yet, as he burst outside, he was met with the stark reality that the two people he desperately sought had already vanished. He grabbed a passerby, his voice sharp and demanding: "Where are they?" "They said they were going on a trip and left early," the person replied, confusion etched on their face. The weight of Kieran's anger and despair settled heavily on his shoulders, an unbearable burden as he realized the extent of his loss.

Conclusion In the aftermath of the tumultuous events that unfolded, Kieran stood on the precipice of heartbreak, grappling with the bitter taste of betrayal that Mara had served him. The wedding, once a symbol of his aspirations, had morphed into a shattering realization of the manipulations that had clouded his judgment. As he searched for Riley, the ghost of their past loomed large, reminding him of the love that had once felt so certain.

In that moment of loss, Kieran understood that true happiness could not be built on deceit, and the hollow victory he had sought with Mara was nothing more than a mirage. His heart, though battered, began to awaken to the possibility of redemption and the chance to reclaim the love he had once cherished. Meanwhile, Riley found herself at a crossroads, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken words. The kiss with Dex had ignited a flicker of hope, yet the lingering memories of Kieran haunted her thoughts.

She had longed for clarity amidst the chaos, and now, as the dust settled, she faced the realization that both men had shaped her journey in profound ways. With Kieran's departure from the wedding, she felt an undeniable pull to confront her own feelings and the choices that lay ahead. As the chapters of their lives began to diverge, both Kieran and Riley stood on the brink of new beginnings, ready to embrace the uncertain path that awaited them, where the echoes of the past would guide them toward a future defined not by betrayal, but by the courage to love openly and honestly.

As Kieran embarks on a frantic search, the stakes will rise, and the lines between love and vengeance will blur. Meanwhile, Riley and Dex find themselves at a crossroads, having witnessed the chaos unfold. Their own feelings for each other will be tested as they navigate the aftermath of Kieran's rage and Mara's deception. With the past looming large, will Riley be able to forgive Kieran for his blind trust in Mara, or will she find solace in the unexpected bond forming with Dex?