Chapter 1

On my wedding day, my husband’s "pick-me" best friend showed up in a wedding dress before I even could.

While the guests stared in shock, she wrapped her arms tightly around my groom, kissing and hugging him.

When I called her out for crossing the line and ruining my day, my husband stepped in front of her, looking annoyed. "She’s just one of the boys making a joke," he snapped. "Do you have to be so dramatic?"

Before the reception even ended, Ashley had already posted on her Snapchat story:

[I guess a joke is the only way you and I will ever have a wedding.]

Looking at the likes under her post, specifically the matching couple icon of my groom, I calmly took off my wedding veil.

Since you want to be his bride so badly...

You can have him.

I spent over a month working with the wedding planner to make sure every single detail of this wedding was perfect.

But the only hiccup came from Tyler’s female best friend, Ashley.

Tyler had insisted that Ashley wear a suit and be a groomsman. "We’ve been best friends for over a decade," he argued. "We promised we’d be each other’s best men when we were kids."

I agreed.

But on the day of the wedding, while I was still in the bridal suite getting my veil pinned on, I suddenly heard the wedding march playing from the main hall.

My maid of honor, Sarah, frowned. "Why is the ceremony starting ten minutes early?"

I had no idea. But when I finally walked down the hall and peeked into the ballroom, I froze. Ashley was there, wearing a stunning white wedding dress with a long train, holding Tyler and kissing him passionately in front of all the guests.

As the crowd whispered in shock, I marched over and pushed Ashley away, my anger boiling over.

“This is my wedding. If you want attention, go somewhere else! What the hell do you think you’re doing kissing him?”

I expected Ashley to make excuses, but Tyler stepped in front of her first. "It’s just a joke between friends. Why are you making a scene?"

“You were late. I turned around, thought it was you, and just kissed her. I didn’t think.”

Seeing my face pale, Tyler kept going. "It’s not like I used tongue anyway. Don’t be so petty.”

Ashley smirked, wrapping her arm around Tyler’s. "Women are so dramatic. We’re just messing around. It’s no big deal.”

Then, she leaned in close to my ear and whispered, “Chloe, I heard your grandpa is in the ICU and his only wish is to see you married. You wouldn’t want him to pass away with regrets, would you?”

I clenched my fists. Thinking of the live stream we set up for Grandpa’s hospital room, I swallowed my pride and endured it.

The ceremony went on as planned. Tyler knew I was furious, so he kept whispering apologies, promising he would keep his distance from Ashley from now on.

But when I went back to the bridal suite to change into my reception dress, I opened Snapchat and saw Ashley’s new story.

[I guess a joke is the only way you and I will ever have a wedding.]

The photo was a mirror selfie of her in her wedding dress.

I scrolled down. Our mutual friends had already liked it—including Tyler, using the matching couple profile picture I had painstakingly picked out for him.

What hurt even more was the comment section. His frat bros were having a field day.

[Omg, I'm screaming! You two have the best chemistry! Honestly, you guys looked more like the actual bride and groom today!]

[I saw Tyler blushing. Admit it, bro, you totally fell for Ashley in that dress.]

I stared at the screen for a long time, feeling sick to my stomach. Tyler's friends always disgusted me.

They would call me "sister" to my face, but behind my back...

I refreshed the feed. A new comment from Tyler popped up: [Stop it. 😂]

My blood boiled. I regretted ever getting involved with Tyler and his toxic circle. I slowly scrolled through my contacts and dialed a number I hadn't called in a long time.

“Are you free?”

“I changed my mind. I think you'd make a much better groom.”