Reene

On the day of my wedding, my husband abandoned me at the altar for his first love. When I had called Aaron to ask why he was thirty minutes late, his response felt like a slap across the face.

“Gezelle isn’t feeling strong and needed to be rushed to the hospital, so I took her,” he said. “You know she has no one but me.”

“Well, now that she’s there, can’t you come back?” I asked, even though I knew what his response was going to be.

“I can’t. She and my baby need me.”

My heart sank low. “Your baby?”

“Yes. Gezelle is pregnant with my child.”

It didn’t even need to be spelled out loud. Those words were enough confirmation that Aaron had been seeing Gezelle behind my back all along.

I clenched my fist hard. “What happens now with our wedding?”

He didn’t hesitate. “Get it canceled. We don’t need a grand wedding performance to show I care about you. When I get back, we can skip the whole arrangement. Then, head downtown and register our marriage. That’s what you want, right?”

That’s what I want? When had I ever wanted any of this? This wedding, this ridiculous dress, everything in this chapel—Aaron had planned it to suit Gezelle’s taste as a reminder of his first love.

At first, I had let it be, convincing myself that if I went along with whatever Aaron wanted, he would eventually come around and love me. I even went as far as investing in his company when it was on the verge of bankruptcy to please him. If my money could keep him around, I was desperate to go through such measures.

After all I had done for Aaron these past five years, this was the thanks I got? No. I wasn’t going to let things end like this.

“Aaron, I need you!” Gezelle’s voice pierced through the speakers.

“I have to go, Reene. Let’s talk when I come home.”

Then, the line got disconnected. Staring at my blank phone screen, it took me a while to process everything that had just happened before accessing Aaron’s account and freezing his account.

When my head snapped up, I met the curious gazes of three hundred guests and the waiting priest.

Chuckling nervously, I said, “Give me a minute to get my husband, please.”

Picking up my dress, I stepped down from the altar, exiting the wedding chapel through the back door. My parents and even the press had gathered to see me get married. I wasn’t going to let myself be publicly humiliated.

Walking over to the front entrance, my gaze landed on a tall man about Aaron’s height dressed in a big hoodie, staring at the chapel with a hand in his pocket.

Without hesitation, I approached the man. “Are you single?”

He blinked, eyes raking over my appearance. “Excuse me?”

“I’ll keep it simple and short for you to understand: Marry me.”

“I—”

“I’ll pay you. A hundred thousand dollars,” I cut in.

The man staggered backward. “You seem to be mistaken, but I—”

“Fine. Two hundred thousand dollars,” I interrupted. “I’m not asking much from you. All you have to do is dress up in my husband’s suit and say I do. It would be over before you know it. Do we have a deal?”

He hesitated. “Deal.”

“Good. Now, let’s get you changed.”

Hooking my arm around his elbow, I pulled him along with me through the back door entrance into Aaron’s fitting room. Grabbing the wrapped-up suit from the closet, I shoved it at him.

“Wear this and meet me outside in five minutes,” I said.

By the time Aaron comes crawling back to me, he would find another man in his place!

Reene

After the wedding ceremony ended, the news about my wedding created a buzz like wildfire, especially since the man who had shown up as the groom was not Aaron. Aside from the news, my phone also blew up like crazy.

It was another call from Aaron, which I declined. That would make it twenty-one missed calls. But this time, a text message followed.

It read:

‘What is the meaning of this, Reene? Let’s talk when I get back home.’

A humorless scoff escaped my lips. “Home? How dare you want to return to my house, Aaron?“

My mind flashed back to the happy days when Aaron and I were still in our dating era. Year after year, he would show up late to our anniversary under the guise of work being hectic, but make it up with a flower and exquisite dinner.

“I’m so lucky to have you in my life, Reene,“ he lied effortlessly through his teeth. The signs had been there, but I had been too gullible to see them.

After dinner, we would then come home and make hot, passionate love. Now that I think about it, I must have looked like a fool to him.

The door to the fitting room was thrown open as the stranger stepped out in his worn-out hoodie, breaking off my thoughts. Too bad he had to change suddenly. He looked quite handsome in a suit.

Shaking the absurd thought out of my head, I said, “I sent the money. Have you confirmed it?“

He nodded. “Yes. If that’s all, I’ll be on my way now.“

Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist. “Wait!“

He paused. “Is something wrong?“

Aaron said he was going to meet me at home. If he shows up and notices my “husband” wasn’t home, then he might be able to piece together that this wedding was a sham.

“I need you to play the role of my husband a little longer,“ I admitted. “If you want to be compensated further for your time, then—“

“There’s no need for that. I’ll do it,“ he cut in. “Besides, two hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money to just say I do.“

Those words left me speechless as I honestly hadn’t expected him to give in that easily.

“T-Thank you,“ I said, finally finding my voice.

Exiting the chapel, we climbed into the car as my driver took off. When we got home, my “husband” excused himself to take a shower in the guest room while I packed Aaron’s belongings downstairs into the living room.

Seated on the couch with a magazine in hand, I calmly awaited his arrival.

“Reene! Where are—“ Aaron paused, his footsteps halting as his gaze fell on his belongings. “What is the meaning of this?“

I looked up from the magazine. “When you said you were coming home, wasn’t this what you meant?“

My gaze landed on Gezelle standing behind him. “I heard you’re pregnant. Congratulations! Now you and Aaron can become a real family.“

“What nonsense are you talking about, Reene?!“ Aaron shouted. “I told you we can still be together!“

I knew more than anyone that Aaron wasn’t scared of losing me, but my money, and I wasn’t going to fall for his tricks.

Setting aside the magazine completely, I said, “That’s no longer an option. Didn’t you hear the news, Aaron? I got married today, and neither I nor my husband are interested in an open marriage, so take your belongings and get out of my house.“

“To have gotten married this quickly, does that mean you’ve been cheating on me all these years?“ he shamelessly asked.

I didn’t respond. How outrageous of him to accuse me of cheating when he had been sleeping with another woman behind my back!

Gezelle broke into a fake sob. “I feel like this is all my fault, Aaron. If you had been able to open your heart to Reene, she wouldn’t have cheated on you, and right now, you two would have been happily married.“

Aaron wrapped his arms around Gezelle. “Don’t cry, honey. It’s only going to upset the baby.“

Standing to my feet, I reached for Gezelle’s face, wiping off her tears.

“Don’t cry, Gezelle,“ I said. “All Aaron ever did was drain me of my money like a leech. You have no idea how relieved I am to have that burden taken off my shoulders. So, thank you for picking up my trash.“

Reene

Aaron’s face hardened. “Do you think I won’t be able to survive without you, Reene? You’re wrong. Gezelle and I would be just fine. But what about you? No one would ever want you. That man you married in my place, I give him one week before he goes running.”

Brushing past me, Aaron picked up his belongings when a pair of strong hands came down onto it.

“Let me help you with that,” the stranger said with a smile.

The scowl on Aaron’s face deepened. “I don’t recall asking for your help. I’m fine.”

He straightened. “If you say so. But point of correction, I’ll still be by her side after a week.”

“We’ll see about that.” Then he intertwined his fingers with Gezelle’s. “Let’s go, honey.”

As Aaron and Gezelle turned their backs to me, exiting the living room, the sound of her giggling filled my eardrums. Even in this moment where I was the most miserable, they were happy.

For some reason, my mother’s words from last night replayed in my head like a broken record.

“Are you sure about marrying Aaron?” she asked. “It’s obvious he’s just using you because he can’t have the woman he wants.”

“Don’t say that, Mother,” I cautioned. “Aaron has been with me for five years. He loves me. I can feel it.”

What a fool I had been. Earlier, after the wedding ceremony ended, I couldn’t even look my mother in the eyes, but her gaze said enough.

“Was that your ex?” the stranger asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I placed a spare key into his hands before brushing past him and heading up the stairs. “Part of our deal was not to get involved in each other’s personal affairs, was it not? Your work here is done. Lock the door on your way out.”

Entering the bedroom, my gaze landed on the bed as images of passionate nights I had shared with Aaron forced their way into my mind. Sinking low to the ground, I quietly sobbed into my palm.

My phone vibrated against the nightstand. Wiping my tears, I reached for it and answered. “Hello?”

“Is this Mrs. Jones?” a feminine voice asked over the receiver.

“Yes. This is she.”

“This is Anita, Mr. Valemont’s secretary. He is accepting the request you made to see him by extending an invitation to his gala tonight with your husband. Do you accept this?” she asked.

Dale Valemont was one of the most influential men in the country. I had submitted a request to see him as Aaron had been really desperate to get him to collaborate with his company on a project. But now that I wasn’t with Aaron anymore, should I turn down the gala invitation? I knew he was going to be there with Gezelle, and the thought of seeing them together at an event I struggled to arrange sickened me.

No. I wasn’t going to run away while Aaron enjoyed the benefits of my labor. This company deal with Dale Valemont? I was going to snatch it right before Aaron’s eyes. He doesn’t need me? We’ll see about that!

“I accept,” I replied.

“Perfect. The invitation card will be sent to your email immediately after this call ends. The gala is tonight at seven-thirty. I apologize for the short notice, so let me know on time if you can’t make it.”

“I will. Thanks for calling.”

Immediately after the line disconnected, Anita kept her word and had the invitation card sent. Glancing at the wall clock, I noted the time. It was after five, which left two hours and thirty minutes to prepare for the gala. After freshening up, I changed into a red bell-sleeve gown, knotted my hair up in a bohemian bun, and completed my look with a pair of black T-strap platform heels.

Unfortunately, when I arrived at the gala, my seat was reserved next to Aaron’s, who had Gezelle seated behind him as his plus one.

“You came alone to a gala invite for two, Reene? Why didn’t you bring your newly wedded husband?” she asked with a mocking tone.

Sinking low into my seat, I flashed her a fake smile. “Your concern is touching, Gezelle, but you should worry more about the unfaithful man by your side—not my husband.”

Before I could enjoy the look on her face, my gaze turned toward the cheering sound of the gathered guests as the main event of the gala was about to commence.

A slender red-haired lady climbed onto the stage. “Good evening, everyone. Welcome to tonight’s gala hosted by none other than Dale Valemont!”

Another round of applause filled the room. When the cheers ceased, she continued.

“Without wasting much of our time, please give a round of applause as we welcome the man of the hour, Dale Valemont!”

This time, I joined the guests in applauding as a man stood from the front seat, walking toward the stage in slow strides. Once he turned to face the crowd, my hands froze.

A surprised gasp escaped Gezelle’s lips. “H-Honey, that man is…”

I was more surprised than Gezelle but tried not to show it because standing on that stage as Dale Valemont was no other than the stranger I married this morning.