At the wedding rehearsal, my fiancée’s so-called male best friend. Daniel Song, swaggered forward with a raised glass.

“To the bride!” His grin was wicked. “Baby, once you’re married, don’t come knocking on my door for late-night company anymore, alright?”

The bridesmaids burst out laughing. He slung an arm around Vanessa Summers, my soon to be bride, leaning in as if to kiss her.

My jaw tightened.

Catching my expression, he turned toward me, smirking, “And Adrian! Poor guy looks like he’s useless in bed. Better learn how to keep our Vanessa satisfied.”

Vanessa looped her arms around his neck, covering his mouth with a playful scold.

“You filthy old man, don’t talk nonsense!”

But he still planted a kiss on her cheek before grinning at me.

“Relax, Adrian. Vanessa and I grew up together. Surely, you’re not jealous?”

——

I forced a smile. “Why would I be? After all, you’re just… friend.”

Gasps rippled through the room.

Vanessa snuggled against my arm, eyes bright. “Adrian, you’re so generous! I thought you’d be the jealous type.”

Song Daniel laughed. “Exactly! All her exes were so petty. They couldn’t handle me, so we made sure they dumped her.”

He gave her a sharp slap on the butt.

“Remember that old saying? Brothers are like limbs; women are like clothes! Vanessa, would you rather lose an arm, or strip naked? Ha! Don’t forget, I’ve still got those baby photos of you!”

Vanessa swatted him away, giggling. “Stop touching me! My husband’s right here!”

“Funny,” Daniel shot back, “you weren’t complaining when you were groping my abs before. You even traced circles with your hands—and I had a girlfriend then!”

He turned deliberately toward me. “So, Adrian… can you keep her satisfied?”

That was enough. I seized his arm, my voice low and sharp.

“Tell me… are you planning to repeat this tomorrow, at the real ceremony?”

For once, he froze.

Yes. Today was only rehearsal. Tradition required both bride and groom to have a representative give a toast. Everything had been fine, until he opened his mouth.

“What, you don’t want me to?” His lips curled. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud crack, silencing the hall.

“Vanessa, your husband can’t take a joke? Everything I said was true!”

Vanessa looked between us, then quickly took my hand and smiled at him, sugar-sweet.

“Daniel, you’re my best friend. Adrian’s just too strait-laced, don’t mind him.”

Daniel’s face darkened. He stomped the floor. “After all these years, you’re siding with him? You haven’t even married him yet!”

Vanessa shoved me toward him. “Adrian, apologize. Once he changes the toast, this will all be over.”

Her bridesmaids chimed in one after another.

“Yeah, apologize to our bestie. Only if you please her can you marry Vanessa!”

“Exactly! Everyone knows Vanessa listens to Daniel the most. If you want to join our circle, you’d better win over us girlfriends first!”

Daniel smirked, pretending to swat at them playfully.

“Amelia, how many times have I told you? I’m a guy—call me bro!”

Song Daniel puffed out his chest dramatically.

Amelia Fairchild giggled, patting him playfully. “Calling you ‘bro’ just doesn’t suit you!”

Laughter erupted among the bridesmaids. They joked and teased, as if I, the Adrian, didn’t even exist.

Finally, when the noise died down, Daniel turned to me with a grin. He jabbed a finger in my direction, then at Amelia.

“You two owe me an apology. But I won’t take just words. Here’s the deal—each of you down a bottle. That’ll settle it.”

Cheers broke out.

“Yes! That’s my sister—so generous!” Vanessa clapped, beaming.

The others followed her lead, clapping and whistling, while my face grew darker.

The waiters quickly brought out two bottles of beer. Daniel poured a glass, handing it to Amelia.

“Amelia, I know you’re not feeling great. Let me drink half for you.”

He tipped it back in one gulp. The crowd applauded as if he’d just performed a heroic feat. Amelia, touched, drained the rest of the bottle.

“Thanks, bestie! We’ll be best friends forever!” she cheered, throwing her arms around him.

Then, as if rehearsed, every gaze turned to me.

“Your turn, Adrian!”

Vanessa slipped an arm around my waist, her voice syrupy. “Don’t call him that—call him brother-in-law.”

“Yes, yes! Brother-in-law, bottoms up!”

Vanessa leaned close, whispering in my ear, “Adrian, drink. Do it for me.”

I stared at her, unblinking. “Vanessa, you know I’m allergic to alcohol.”

She froze. The memory flickered in her eyes.

Years ago, she’d been drinking with clients and called me for help. Her colleagues wouldn’t let her leave unless I drank. To free her, I downed a full bottle of wine.

She only got drunk. I almost died.

The doctor said my organs nearly shut down. One more minute and I wouldn’t have survived.

When I was discharged, Vanessa had sworn through tears, “Adrian, I’ll never let anyone force you to drink again.”

And now, just to entertain this so-called male best friend, she wanted me to do it again.

Seeing my silence, Vanessa’s smile faltered. She lowered her voice. “Don’t make a scene. My friends are watching. It’s just beer—low alcohol. Drink it, then go to the bathroom and throw it up. It won’t hurt you.”

Her tone was coaxing, but her eyes gleamed with smugness. For the first time, I wondered if marrying her was a mistake.

“Come on, brother-in-law!” someone shouted. “Don’t keep us waiting!”

Daniel laughed loud enough to shake the walls.

“Don’t call him brother-in-law—it sounds too suggestive. What if his animal instincts kick in and he takes all of you as his sisters-in-law too? Imagine the chaos then!”

My brow furrowed. I turned to Vanessa. “What does he mean by that? He’s already humiliated me in public and now he’s spreading filth again?”

Daniel gasped, covering his mouth in mock horror.

“Oh no, did I just say what I was really thinking? Oops! What a fool I am.” He tapped his head playfully, acting cute.

And Vanessa—my bride-to-be—laughed and took his hand.

“Alright, alright. Your pig brain isn’t smart to begin with. Don’t make yourself look dumber.”

Daniel pinched her waist, feigning outrage. “Who are you calling a pig? If I’m the pig, then you’re the piglet!”

They started bickering like a couple in love.

My patience snapped. I picked up a bottle of beer.

I lifted the beer bottle and said coldly, “You want me to drink to apologize? Fine. I’ll drink.”

Daniel’s grin widened. “Good! Finish this bottle and I’ll forgive you.”

I raised the bottle and laughed.

“Funny—I remember you just drank half a bottle for Amelia. So why don’t you drink the other half… for me?”

Before he could react, I upended the bottle—pouring its contents straight over his head.

The banquet hall erupted. Screams rang against the ceiling as beer streamed down his hair, dripping onto his expensive suit.

Daniel stood frozen, drenched and humiliated.

I didn’t wait for the fallout. Ignoring the chaos behind me, I strode out, climbed into my car and drove straight home.

When I opened the door, the house was draped in red silk and festive decorations, bright symbols of joy and union.

But as I stood there, staring at it all, a suffocating heaviness pressed down on my chest. I slid down the wall, clutching my heart as tears spilled before I could stop them.

This was supposed to be the happiest moment of my life. Yet why did it feel like the beginning of a nightmare?

Memories crashed over me.

Vanessa and I had met in college. At first, I only thought she was beautiful. When she confessed, I agreed almost casually. Then, disaster struck. My family’s business teetered on the edge of bankruptcy.

But Vanessa hadn’t left. Instead, she emptied all her savings, offering them to my parents. When she saw I couldn’t afford my usual designer belt, she worked part-time through summer and surprised me with a new one.

I’ll never forget the sight of her in a ridiculous mascot costume, handing me the gift with a shy smile. That day, I decided. This was the woman I would marry.

By some miracle, my family’s business recovered. After graduation, my parents had doubts about her background, but I was adamant. No one else would do.

Moved by my resolve, my parents gave her a branch company and bought us a luxury apartment downtown as a wedding gift.

Tomorrow was supposed to be the beginning of our new life.

But today, her so-called best friend had humiliated me in front of everyone, while Vanessa stood by his side.

My stomach churned. I barely made it to the bathroom before vomiting.

The front door slammed. Vanessa stormed in, her voice like a whip.

“Adrian! Who gave you the right to treat my best friend like that?!”

I was still retching over the sink. And her first words weren’t concern for me but fury over him.

I wiped my mouth, bitter laughter bubbling out. So, this is what our marriage means to her.

I turned, voice cold. “Best friend? Tell me. Did he lose something down there, or did you grow something? Otherwise, why are you treating him like he’s your other half?”

Vanessa’s face burned red. She slapped me hard across the cheek.

“Adrian, shut your mouth!”

The sharp crack echoed in the silence. My pride flared as my cheek stung.

“You hit me—for another man?”

Her expression softened. She sighed, reaching to embrace me.

“Baby, don’t be mad. Daniel’s just my childhood friend. There’s nothing between us, I swear. Tomorrow is our wedding. Your parents spent so much effort, don’t let their hard work go to waste.”

Her lips curled in a playful smile, as if she could sweet-talk me into forgetting everything.

I shoved her away. “Are you threatening me?”

Vanessa shrugged. “Just stating facts. Besides, Daniel is one of my bridal parties. We can’t exactly have a missing bridesmaid, can we?”

I barked out a laugh. “I’ve never heard of a male bridesmaid in my life!”

She rolled her eyes. “There are plenty of things you’ve never heard of. Stop making a fuss.”

“Making a fuss?” My voice cracked with bitter laughter. “Last Valentine, I booked the best restaurant six months in advance. Then he called and you disappeared all night. That’s just trivial too?”