Chapter19 Now known as Jewel Whitmore, she let go of Preston Hale's hand as they turned the corner. "Preston... thank you for stepping in," she said softly. The warmth in her eyes had faded, leaving only the calm affection of friendship. "But I need to be honest. Right now, I don't want marriage, I don't want romance. I just want to build something of my own." After a marriage that had cut her to the bone, Jewel no longer believed in tying her future to anyone else. She would place her hope in herself, her time, her energy, her ambition. She would fight for her career, embrace life fully and on her own terms. If love came, she would cherish it. If not, she would never force it again. Preston's face faltered for a moment, but then he smiled, gentle and steady. "That's fine, Jewel. I'll wait. However long it takes, I'll wait." The days that followed proved his words. She immersed herself in jewelry design; Preston scoured the world for masterworks, placing rare pieces in her hands to study and admire. She mentioned, offhand, a wish to see the whales in the Arctic. The next day, he canceled a multibillion-dollar deal and took her there himself. When she woke one night doubled over with stomach pain, he stayed at her side until dawn, warming her hands as the family doctor guided him over the phone. When she said she wanted nothing more to do with Weston Vale and Grayson Sloane, Preston didn't argue. He aligned with the Whitmores and quietly moved against the Vale and Sloane empires, driving both dynasties to the brink, until Weston and Grayson were reduced to disgraced shadows, unable to come within reach of Jewel again. She loathed Ivy Sloane, so Preston went personally to Southeast Asia to see to her punishment. He ordered half her organs cut out, then abandoned her in the foulest red-light district to rot, her fate sealed. His relentless devotion won not only Evelyn and Hunter Whitmore's approval but, little by little, Jewel's guarded heart as well. On a bright, sunlit morning, they took their vows. The day before the wedding, word reached Harbor City. Weston Vale and Grayson Sloane sold their own blood on the black market, eight hundred milliliters each, to afford Weston's ticket to A Country, along with a rented suit that could hide his ruin. Chapter19 15.02 Despite the weakness hollowing him out, Weston cleaned himself up, boarded the plane, and staggered into the city where Jewel was about to wed another man. The ceremony glittered with grandeur. Jewel, radiant in a hand-stitched Italian gown, wore a crown of her own design, jewels worth hundreds of millions. On her arm was Hunter Whitmore, leading her down the aisle step by step toward Preston Hale. Preston's eyes were luminous, his smile unshakable. His voice trembled with emotion as the minister turned to him. "Do you, Preston Hale, take this woman to be your wife? To love, respect, and protect her, in sickness and in health, through good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?" "I do." The words rang out crisp and loud enough for every guest to hear. Applause and laughter erupted through the chapel. Only one man did not cheer. Weston Vale, disheveled from his journey, lifted his eyes and met Jewel's for a fleeting instant. Then he broke. Covering his face, he wept like a man who had finally understood what it meant to lose everything. He knew, with devastating clarity, This time, he had truly lost her. Forever. The End. Chapter19 Title: CEO, Your Wife Is Gone Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance, CEO, Sweet Romance, Modern, Romantic Status: ongoing In "CEO, Your Wife Is Gone," Elise battles cancer while striving to fulfill her role as the perfect wife to George. Trinity, Elise's sister, orchestrates a deceitful scheme against her... Embark on a heartfelt journey in this modern romance novel that explores themes of love and betrayal amidst the challenges of illness. Follow Elise as she navigates the complexities of her relationships and confronts unexpected twists orchestrated by those closest to her. What sets "CEO, Your Wife Is Gone" apart is its poignant portrayal of love tested by adversity and the resilience of the human spirit. Dive into this captivating narrative filled with emotional depth and intricate character dynamics. Discover the unique blend of romance and suspense that defines this captivating story available to read at CrushReel. Experience the emotional rollercoaster of Elise's journey online at CrushReel today.