“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?”

Vanessa frowned, arms crossed.

“That night was different. Daniel said there was thunder and he was scared. So, I went to comfort him.”

My anger snapped. “A grown man—scared of thunder?” I slammed my fist on the table. “And what about your birthday, when I was out of town? You were hugging and kissing him in a private room. Did you think I was dead?”

Her face stiffened. She recovered quickly, voice rising.

“Who’s spreading rumors? That never happened!”

I didn’t waste words. I pulled out my phone and tossed it onto the table. The video played in plain sight—Daniel and her tangled together, lips pressed, arms wrapped tight. He had even posted it himself.

Vanessa’s face drained of color. She scratched her head, then snapped in frustration.

“Enough! Why are you so relentless? I hate this side of you! Always nitpicking, always acting like a male chauvinist. If you had even a shred of Daniel’s understanding, I wouldn’t have to argue with you!”

She jabbed a finger at me, her tone sharp as a blade.

“Adrian, listen carefully. You will apologize to Daniel. If you don’t, the wedding is off! And if there’s no bride at tomorrow’s ceremony, let’s see how your family saves face!”

Her words crashed over me like icy water. Just then, her phone rang. Instantly, her tone shifted. She snatched it up, her voice honeyed.

“Where are you? Don’t be scared, I’ll come find you right away.”

The screen glowed with the caller ID: Daniel Baby.

Without another glance at me, Vanessa slammed the door behind her and left.

Moments later, my phone buzzed. Daniel had sent me a video of him at a bar, glass in hand. Vanessa entered and within seconds, the two of them were locked in a hungry kiss. Then came the photos. A string of them, her body pressed against his.

Finally, a message:

[Oops, my hand slipped. Sent to the wrong person. Adrian, you don’t mind, do you?]

I blocked him instantly, bile burning my throat.

I went to the bedroom, ripping open her drawers, pulling out her things. A locked box sat on the nightstand. With a screwdriver, I pried it open. Inside were handwritten letters. Vanessa’s neat script danced across the page:

If Adrian weren’t rich, I couldn’t stand him.

Another note from Daniel:

Baby, if I kidnapped you away, would you come with me?

Her reply:

Of course I’d go with you! But I haven’t gotten the Whitmore family’s money yet. Just wait a little longer, Daniel…

My vision blurred. My chest heaved with fury.

So, this was the truth. Vanessa had never loved me. She had only been waiting… waiting to strip me and my family of everything.

Fine. If she thought she could play me, she was mistaken. She wouldn’t get a single cent.

That evening, my parents called, asking about the rehearsal.

I told them calmly, “Everything is fine. Just one change. Tomorrow, the bride will be someone else, the one who’s followed me since childhood, calling me ‘big brother.’”

If Vanessa had her male best friend, then I had my own female best friend. Tomorrow, she would be the one standing beside me at the altar.