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.

The next morning, I arrived at the hotel right on time.

Vanessa slipped her arm through mine, her smile sugary sweet.

“Adrian, looks like you’ve come to your senses. Daniel’s being generous, he’s agreed to let us marry today and you can apologize tomorrow.”

Her eyes gleamed as she added, “Oh and that limited-edition watch you bought last month? Give it to him as an apology gift.”

I shot her a sidelong glance. Of course, Daniel had been whining about that exact watch on social media for weeks. It wasn’t just expensive; you had to be a VIP client to even buy it. And now she thought she could hand over my belongings with a few casual words? Dream on.

I said nothing, simply turned to the dresser. “Change my outfit.”

I had called my real bride yesterday. She’d agreed instantly. Truth be told, we hadn’t seen each other in years, I didn’t even know how she looks now. But I knew her heart. That was enough.

After changing, I stepped out into the hallway. Vanessa was seated at the makeup table, the artist already working on her face.

“Stop,” I said flatly. “No need to put makeup on her. She’s just a guest.”

The room froze. Vanessa’s brush slipped from her hand.

“What… what do you mean?”

I didn’t bother answering. Turning on my shoes, I walked out toward the banquet hall. She scrambled after me, heels clattering, voice shrill.

“Adrian, what exactly do you mean?!”

But before I could respond, the giant screen in the hall flickered on.

Gasps erupted. An explicit video filled the display. The man in it—me. The woman—a stranger. Every guest turned toward me in shock.

My parents staggered, nearly fainting. “Son, what is going on?!”

From backstage, Daniel emerged, feigning guilt.

“Oh no! I must have pressed the wrong button. I meant to play your romantic video!”

Vanessa tightened her grip around my waist, her voice low and vicious.

“If you don’t marry me today, I’ll upload this everywhere.”

The doors slammed open. Curious onlookers surged in, phones raised high. Flashes exploded in my face.

“Adrian, is this cheating? Or prostitution?”

“You look like a gentleman, but behind your wife’s back, you—”

Their accusations cut like knives. My breath came shallow, rage clawing at my chest. Vanessa stood aside, watching coldly as the mob devoured me, while she hurried to comfort Daniel instead.

Then, just as I thought I would be crushed by the crowd, the video cut out. A sharp voice rang out, “Move! I’m a lawyer. Anyone who doesn’t step aside will be sued!”

The mob parted in fear. And there she was, Eleanor Linwood.

My childhood sweetheart. The girl I had once let go.

She seized my wrist, eyes blazing.

“Adrian, you promised to call me to crash the wedding. You can’t back out now!”