Chapter 1
Just stepped out of the auction house when my phone buzzed.
My old college WhatsApp group, which had been dead for ages, was suddenly blowing up. Someone was spamming my name:
"Yo, Brandon! Our former student body president, Ethan, is getting married today and you're a no-show? That’s cold!"
That was how I found out Ethan, our high-and-mighty former class president, was tying the knot today.
Apparently, every single person from our old college circle was there. Except me.
We were never close in college. I sent a polite, generic text, planning to decline and move on.
"Oh look, Brandon the big shot replied! Tell us, does your struggle job even pay you three grand a month?"
The moment my message sent, the group chat erupted in mockery.
Then Ethan chimed in, tagging me.
"I just wanted everyone to witness my happiness, Brandon. Honestly, I don't care about whatever pocket change you’re making anyway."
Another guy piped up.
"Come on, Ethan. Back in college, Brandon practically begged the campus queen to look his way and got brutally rejected. Now she’s Ethan's wife! No wonder he’s too embarrassed to show his face!"
I frowned. When did that happen?
As far as I recalled, I spent my college years buried in textbooks and building my business. I never chased anyone.
"Oh, still playing dumb, are we?"
Ethan sneered, dropping a photo of their marriage certificate into the chat.
"Take a good, hard look. Feast your eyes!"
The moment I saw the woman's face in the photo, I froze.
Isn't that my fiancée?
A wave of white-hot rage washed over me.
The woman who got engaged to me just three months ago had gone behind my back to register a marriage with someone else?
While my brain was still trying to process whether to trust Chloe or dig deeper, the group chat kept spamming me with insults.
"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue? Or are you crying in a corner somewhere?"
"Cut him some slack. Chloe is the CEO of Apex Enterprises now. It’s a lot to process."
"Exactly! Word on the street is she gifted Ethan a beachfront villa and a Ferrari right before the wedding!"
The flood of messages left me dazed. I was about to call Chloe to demand answers when Ethan decided to play the nice guy.
"Look, Brandon, even if you’re a total loser, we’re still college buddies. Come to the wedding, make the guys happy, and I might just slide you a job in our maintenance department."
"We’re talking about Apex Enterprises. Even if you're just sweeping floors, it’s a 9-to-5 with benefits. Way better than whatever sweatshop job you have now!"
"Sure."
I typed those two words, sent them, and muted the chat.
"Babe, put your coat on. Don't catch a cold."
The moment I stepped out of my car back at my place, Chloe handed me a heavy coat. I took it quietly, my face completely blank.
Chloe's smile faltered. "What's wrong, babe? Did you lose the bid at the auction?"
She looked at me, a hint of anxiety in her eyes.
Thinking about the group chat, I couldn't force a smile. I just shook my head.
"It's fine. Go head upstairs."
"Oh, by the way, babe. I'm going on a trip with my girls tomorrow. I'll be out of town for about a week."
With that, Chloe planted a heavy kiss on my cheek, leaving a wet lipstick mark, before skipping happily back inside.
"The CEO of Apex Enterprises, huh?"
Watching my fiancée's cheerful retreat, my mind drifted.
Chloe and I met in college, but we were barely acquaintances back then.
We only started dating a year ago, and we got engaged three months back.
Throughout our year-long relationship, Chloe had been incredibly sweet and attentive.
She stayed up late with me while I worked, brought me coffee, massaged my shoulders when I was tired, and even took care of my mother when she was sick in the hospital.
Getting engaged felt like the natural next step.
But now, the photo of that marriage certificate and her fake affection made me look like the biggest joke in the world.
I grabbed my phone, looked up the wedding venue from the group chat, and hopped into my car. I didn't even wait for my driver. I slammed the gas and sped toward the venue.