LYNN

“You know.”

I blinked and stared at Nora who had a smug look on her face.

“What?” I asked. The daze that had been on my face suddenly wore off.

Nora was standing before me and behind her I could see it was already dark outside. How long have I zoned out?

“Javier told me that you know about us getting married,” Nora said.

I stared at her, “How could you?”

Nora frowned, “It wasn't my idea. He suggested it.”

“You know how much he cares about you and you know he'd do it that's why you told him, you know we’re getting married next week,” I snapped.

Nora’s face paled as tears rolled down her cheeks, “I’m sorry, Lynn, I didn't mean to upset you.”

I stared at her and scoffed. Now I could see through her cheap tricks. All these months I've pretended to be oblivious to the smug look she’d always have on her face when Javier paid attention to her.

The way she would always talk about things from the past whenever she noticed me and Javier were getting along. She’d talk about memories all in a bid to get me out of the conversation and flow with Javier.

Now that Javier announced this wedding it was like my eyes opened as I suddenly realized that she's been craving her way into Javier’s life all these months.

“You manipulative bitch!” the words escaped my lips before I could think.

The tearful face of Nora suddenly transformed into a smug look as she stared at me with triumph shined in her eyes.

“Fine, you got me but I won,” Nora smirked.

I was shocked to see the look in her eyes as she stared at me with pure hatred shining in her eyes.

“I was wondering when you'd realize that I've been playing a long game called hook, line, and sinker,” she chuckled.

Gone was the petty and naive Nora I’ve known these past few months. Now her eyes were filled with malice and she looked devious.

“Wait until I tell Javier. I'm sure he’d have a lot of things to say,” I said, standing up.

Nora blocked my path and placed a hand on my chest, “You’re not going anywhere and most of all you're not telling Javier anything. But wait… let’s test your theory. Who do you think Javier would choose? He loves me more than you now, he just doesn't know it.”

“That’s a lie!” I snapped.

Nora laughed, “I’m getting married to your husband in everything that was prepared for you. I will wear your dress and you will be my maid of honor.”

“Never!” I snapped.

Suddenly, Nora let out a loud cry and raised her voice.

“I’m sorry, Lynn, I just wanted you to be my maid of honor since I have no one. Please forgive me!”

Then before my eyes, she threw herself on the floor deliberately and let out a painful scream.

“What are you doing?” I asked, surprised.

My answer came when Javier entered the sitting room and ran toward Nora.

“Lynn, what have you done?” he yelled at me, his eyes shining with anger.

“But I didn't…” I tried to say but Nora’s pathetic voice interrupted me.

“It’s not her fault, Javier. She has every right to be upset with me. I just wanted her to be my maid of honor because I have no one,” Nora cried.

Javier cradled Nora in his arms as he stared at me furiously, “You will be her maid of honor!”

Then without sparing me another look he carried Nora's bridal style and walked out of the sitting room. I saw the smug look on Nora’s face as she stared at me.

In a daze, I picked up my bag and walked out of the house, tears stinging in my eyes. The cool night breeze tried to calm my frazzled mind but it wasn't enough.

Then I found myself in a bar as I ordered various glasses of tequila, hoping that getting drunk would be able to numb my pain and the painful realization that Nora was right and Javier didn't love me again he just hadn't realized it.

“Miss, go home. No more drinks for you,” the bartender’s voice sounded, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Go to hell! Give me more drinks, I'm paying,” I snapped.

He refused to listen to me and I stood up, I needed to be fully hammered so I wouldn't recall anything from today. I decided to go to another bar.

However, when I stood up, I staggered and the world tilted around its axis.

“Shit!” I giggled.

I realized I was more drunk than I’d imagined. Gently staggering and swaying on my feet I found myself outside and into the arms of a man who smelt of beer and cigar.

“Hands off!” I slurred, prying myself away from him.

“Come, sugar, let me show you a good time,” he slurred.

“No!” I rejected him, vehemently.

But he wouldn't leave me alone. He held me tightly and tried to rip my dress, dragging me into a desolate alley.

“Help!” I cried, struggling against him but my drunk mind was so foggy it was hopeless.

Just as he ripped off my jacket, I heard a husky voice behind me.

“Didn’t your mother teach you how to handle a woman?”

LYNN

“Go away!” the man snapped at the new voice.

With renowned strength, I pushed the man off me as I staggered and almost fell but strong and muscular arms caught me.

I giggled when I realized I was staring into beautiful green eyes – or was it blue? It was difficult to tell, with how my brain was almost shutting down.

“You’re beautiful,” I giggled, touching his chiseled face that seemed to harden.

“You couldn't just stay away!” the man snapped.

The new guy held me in his arms and shielded my eyes, “I apologize, my lady, this is going to get messy.”

Before I could blink I heard a series of punches and then silence. I looked down to see the man who had tried harassing me on the floor.

“Is he dead?” I asked.

The man shook his head, “No, he's just unconscious. He’ll be fine in the morning.”

“Thank you,” I said, giggling.

“You’re welcome, Miss. Now, where is your house? I need to take you back,” he asked.

I burst into laughter, “My house? My parents are expecting me by the weekend with the man I’m getting married to. But guess what, he left me for his best friend to protect her reputation. Now mine will be ruined when my family realizes I have no suitor.”

I burst into hysterical laughter that slowly turned into tears as the man hugged me and patted my back.

“It will be alright,” he said.

I sniffled, “How? If only I could get married to a random stranger and present him to my family. After all, they've never met Javier.”

I giggled at my foolish thought and suddenly I clamped my mouth, my eyes widening in horror.

“What is it?” he asked me, alarmed.

But before I could speak, I threw up all over him.

“Oops,” I giggled, then swayed slightly and passed out.

***

“Ugh!”

I groaned as I opened my eyes and massaged my temples. The sunlight from the blinds made my head throb as I massaged my temples.

I squinted my eyes open again and my heart raced with fear as I realized I didn't know where I was. I was in a big bedroom with bland decoration, it was obvious it was a man’s bedroom.

“Where am I?” I asked, aloud, looking around before my eyes landed on a handsome man with green eyes and messy brown hair staring at me. He looked like he was a few years older than me but he was still very good-looking.

“You’re awake,” he said.

“Who are you?” I asked.

He frowned, “You don't remember?”

“Remember what?” I queried, checking the bedsheets and making sure I was still clothed.

“You owe me a twenty thousand dollar suit, wife, you threw up all over mine,” the man said.

I frowned, “Wife? What are you talking about?”

“You threw up on me after I saved you from a pervert, then you passed out but not before ranting about how you'd like to marry a stranger and present to your family to avoid embarrassment. When you woke up again you practically dragged me to the only open church and had the priest wed us,” the man said.

I shook my head as I stood up, “No, this is a mistake. Stay away from me.”

“You don't believe me, see the marriage license on the bed and you took pictures because you said you'd have a hard time believing it when you wake up in the morning,” he said.

I stared at the pictures sprawled on the bed with the marriage license certificate, my name and signature in red writing so glaringly.

He wasn't joking, in my drunken state I had married a stranger. I shook my head and grabbed my bag.

“How much do you want? I'll pay you any amount so we can get a divorce and keep this quiet,” I said to him.

His eyes gleamed with mischief as he stared at me, his lips curled in a smirk.

“What makes you think I want money?” he asked me.

“Well, what do you want?” I asked him.

“Maybe I want to stay married to you,” he smirked.

“That’s not possible, you don't even know me. I'll pay you any amount,” I stated.

“Calm down, Lynn,” he said.

I frowned, “How do you know my name? Don't answer it, I have a fiance.”

“The one who is getting married to his best friend? Yeah, that ship has sailed,” he said.

My eyes widened as I wondered what exactly I had told him.

“Who are you?” I queried.

A familiar voice sounded downstairs as I stepped out of the room and stood by the staircase only to see Javier staring at me.

“Lynn, what are you doing in my uncle’s house?” he asked me.

My mouth parted in shock as I stared at him but before I could reply, strong arms wrapped around my waist.

“She’s my new wife, Javier. Is there a problem?”

LYNN

I stood frozen at the top of the staircase, my heart pounding in my chest. Below me, I could hear the unmistakable sound of Javier’s voice as he laughed.

“Come on, Uncle Ethan,” Javier chuckled, his tone light, almost mocking. “You really think she’s your wife? Lynn is my fiancée.”

Ethan’s voice was calm, but I could hear the sharp edge beneath. “If Lynn is your fiancée, then why are you getting married to someone else?”

Javier shrugged with casual ease, his grin never faltering. “It’s complicated. I’m just helping Nora out. You know how it is, Lynn understands. She’s on board with the plan.”

I barely registered his words. I was too busy staring at them both—Javier standing there with a grin, his hand casually resting on the back of a chair, and Ethan looking at him with a furrowed brow. The weight of the conversation was starting to sink in, and I felt like I was suffocating under the pressure of it all.

Ethan took a step closer to Javier, his voice lowering slightly, trying to make sense of the situation. “But if you’re marrying Nora, then whose wedding is it? Because that wedding next week was supposed to be you and Lynn, right?”

Javier shrugged again, as if this whole situation was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. “We have an understanding, Uncle. Lynn knows the situation with Nora. She’ll give me a little time.”

An understanding? The words hit me like a slap in the face. My pulse spiked, a mix of anger and disbelief surging through me. He really thought I was okay with this?

I couldn’t stay silent any longer. My feet moved before my mind could catch up, and suddenly I was standing at the foot of the stairs, facing both of them. They turned toward me, and I could see Javier’s grin falter just slightly before he regained his composure.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief. “I’m not your fiancée, Javier. I’m his wife.”

Ethan’s eyes widened. His confusion turned into a mix of disbelief and curiosity. Javier, on the other hand, took a step back, his expression now shifting from amused to genuinely surprised.

“What?” Javier muttered, his voice low, almost disbelieving. “What the hell are you talking about?”

I stood taller, no longer caring if I made a scene. “Yes, I’m his wife, Javier. His. Not yours. Your uncle’s wife!” I let my words hang in the air, and I saw the realization flicker in his eyes, followed by a flash of anger.

Javier’s face tightened, and a brief, uncomfortable glance passed between him and Ethan. He cleared his throat before speaking again. “Lynn, if this is about Nora, you already know it’s not like that—”

“It’s exactly like that,” I snapped. “You’re marrying her. You don’t care how I feel about it. You think you can just walk into my life, drop this bomb on me, and expect me to stand by your side while you marry someone else?”

For a second, Javier’s confident mask cracked. I saw guilt flash across his face, but it disappeared just as quickly, replaced by the usual nonchalance. “I’ve already explained it to you,” he said, his voice almost apologetic. “This is just temporary. I’ll marry you next year, after Nora and I get everything sorted out.”

“That’s not good enough, Javier,” I said, my voice suddenly cold. “I’m not going to be your second choice. You don’t get to expect me to wait around for you while you decide who you want. I’m not some backup plan.”