When I pushed the door open, they both scrambled up from the sofa like guilty children caught stealing cookies.

Liam couldn’t even meet my eyes, his voice stiff and unnatural. "Peyton... Why are you here? Don’t take it seriously—Snow and I were just joking around. She mentioned throwing out some things we don’t need, and she offered to help."

"Yes, Peyton," Snow chimed in, her smile so sweet it made my stomach turn. "I was just trying to tidy up a bit. Don’t overthink it, really."

Their lies hung in the air, pathetic and desperate. I didn’t bother responding. Instead, I began packing my things, my movements methodical and calm. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Liam’s frantic attempts to stuff the love letters he wrote to Snow under the sofa cushions, as if he could hide the truth so easily.

When I finally zipped up the last bag, Liam stared at me, confusion and alarm etched on his face.

"Peyton... Are you packing up or moving out?"

I met his gaze, my voice eerily steady. "My things are old, right? You want to replace them, don’t you?"

He stammered, his facade starting to crack. "No, it’s not about replacing you! I just... I mean, stay. Don’t do anything hasty."

I didn’t dignify his pleas with a response. I reached for my bag, ready to walk out of this nightmare. But Snow, all too eager to play the innocent friend, caught my arm.

"Peyton, come on," she cooed, her voice dripping with false warmth. "We were university classmates once, and now we’re practically friends. It’s been five years since we last saw each other, and you're about to marry Liam! Why don’t we have dinner together? I’ll cook. I promise, my cooking’s amazing."

Liam, ever the coward, jumped in to support her. "Yeah, Peyton. I planned to have dinner with you tonight anyway. Now that you're here, let's all eat together."

The thought of Snow parading around like the hostess of my own home twisted the knife in my chest. I wanted to shake her off and leave, but something stopped me. Maybe it was the realization that, since all three of us were here, it was time to settle things once and for all.

Snow, with infuriating confidence, slipped on my apron and strutted into my kitchen, calling over her shoulder for Liam to help as if she owned the place. "Liam, peel two cloves of garlic for me. Stop standing around! Oh, and pass me the soy sauce!"

And there I was—reduced to a guest in what was supposed to be my home. I sat in the living room, feeling the weight of betrayal settle deeper into my bones.

It didn’t take long for Snow to whip up a meal, and when she set the table with four dishes and a soup, Liam immediately reached for a braised shrimp. Snow slapped his hand away, laughing as if they were sharing some private joke. "You’re not a child, Liam! Go wash your hands first!"

Liam obeyed, scurrying off to the bathroom, while Snow shot me a bright smile. "Peyton, dig in! Don’t be shy—make yourself at home!"

I looked at her, my voice laced with icy sarcasm. "Isn’t this my home?"

She froze, her smile faltering for just a second before she forced out a laugh. "Oh right! My bad, I’ve been away at sea for too long—must’ve fried my brain. Let’s eat, no need to wait for him."

She acted so casually, as if she belonged here more than I did.

When Liam returned, he peeled a shrimp, ready to hand it to Snow like some doting boyfriend. Only when he caught sight of me sitting there did he pause awkwardly and try to pass the shrimp my way instead.

"Peyton... Don’t take it the wrong way. Snow and I grew up together, so some habits die hard. I didn’t mean to ignore you."

I pushed the plate back toward him, my patience fraying. "I’m allergic to seafood, Liam. I told you that before."

His face flushed with embarrassment. "Oh... right. I must’ve forgotten. Sorry."

Snow, unfazed, popped open a bottle of red wine and filled the glasses. They drank with abandon, laughing and chatting, oblivious to the storm brewing in me.

As the evening deepened and the wine flowed, the world around us blurred into a comfortable haze. I vaguely registered Liam's voice through the fog of intoxication. "Peyton," he murmured, his tone casual, "let Snow stay the night. It's late, and we've all had too much to drink." His words slipped into the background, and I, too tired to argue, let him guide me to the master bedroom.

The bed welcomed me like a cloud, and I sank into sleep without a second thought. Hours later, I awoke to a throbbing headache, my mouth dry, my mind sluggish. I reached out instinctively for Liam, but the sheets beside me were cold. He wasn’t there.

A jolt of unease pierced through the fog of my headache. Groggily, I slid out of bed, moving as quietly as I could, my pulse quickening with each step. Something wasn’t right.

It didn’t take long before I heard impatient voices coming from the guest bedroom.

"Hurry up, Liam! She’s out cold. No way she’s waking up..."

My blood ran cold.

"Heh, I’m coming, sweetheart. Watch how I take care of you," Liam replied, his voice low and eager.

A wave of nausea hit me, my hands trembling as I pulled out my phone and pressed record. I inched closer to the door, watching through the crack as they entwined, giggling like a pair of teenagers sneaking around.

They carried on for what felt like an eternity, their passion a stark contrast to the cold indifference I’d always received.

Back in the master bedroom, I lay awake, my mind racing. They thought they could humiliate me, replace me at the altar like I was nothing. But I wouldn’t go quietly.

If they wanted a spectacle, I’d give them one. I was done being the naive, loyal fiancée.

That wedding would be unforgettable—but for all the wrong reasons.

Three days later, on the morning of my wedding, I stood in front of the bed, staring at the pristine white gown laid out for me. My lips curled into a cold smile as I picked up the scissors, the sharp blades gleaming in the soft light. Snip. Snip. I sliced through the delicate fabric, watching as the expensive lace and silk fell to the floor in shreds. Fitting, really, that the dress met the same fate as my relationship.

Once the destruction was complete, I poured myself a cup of coffee, savoring the rich, bitter flavor as I settled into a chair by the window. The world outside was moving on, blissfully unaware of the storm about to unfold. Just then, my phone buzzed, shaking me from my thoughts.

Liam.

"Peyton," he began, his voice strained with fake concern, "there’s a bit of traffic on the way to your place. Would you mind taking a taxi to the venue? I can't pick you up."

I wasn’t surprised. After all, he was saving the grand entrance for Snow.

I kept my voice sweet, feigning understanding.

"No problem, darling. I'll make my own way there. Don’t worry about a thing."

As soon as I hung up, I zipped up my suitcase and double-checked the flight tickets in my bag. Today, the city was abuzz with a major holiday event, which meant traffic jams everywhere—except for my path out of this mess. Instead of hailing a cab, I took the subway, reaching the wedding venue well before anyone else.

When I arrived, the place was packed with guests, all dressed to the nines and buzzing with excitement. Liam, of course, was nowhere to be found, still stuck in traffic with Snow. The auspicious hour was ticking closer, and panic was starting to set in among the organizers. At that moment, my phone rang again, Liam's name flashing on the screen.

"Peyton, you’re there, right? Please help calm the guests down, I’ll be there any minute!" His voice sounded desperate.

I smirked, my heart racing in anticipation.

"Don’t worry, darling. I’ll make sure no one gets bored."

As I ended the call, I casually swapped the wedding video Liam had prepared for something a bit more… exciting. The one I had recorded of him and Snow wrapped up in each other at my house, two days before the wedding. With that set, I grabbed the mic and stepped onto the stage.

"Good afternoon, everyone!" My voice echoed through the hall, and all eyes turned toward me. No wedding gown, no makeup, just me in casual clothes. The murmurs started immediately.

"Is that the bride? Why isn’t she dressed yet?"

"The groom is late and now the bride hasn't prepared yet! What a disastrous wedding I've come into. If I only had known, I wouldn't have come here."

I ignored them, raising the mic again.

"Thank you all for coming to this special day. Unfortunately, due to some traffic issues, the groom, Liam Foster, will be late. But don’t worry, he’s left us a video to watch in the meantime. Please enjoy!"

I hit play, and the massive screen lit up, projecting the very scene I’d caught on my phone. Liam and Snow, tangled up on a bed, doing scandalous acts.

The room fell into stunned silence. Then the gasps began, followed by whispers and, soon after, angry outbursts.

"Oh my god! Isn't that the groom, Liam Foster? But who’s the woman? She doesn’t look like the bride!"

"Wait, isn’t that Snow Parker? I recognize her! She’s Liam’s first love. What a snake that bitch is!"

"This is unbelievable! He's about to get married and still messing around with his ex!"

"No wonder the bride isn’t dressed up—she’s here to crash the wedding, not celebrate. Well, I support her in dumping his scumbag groom!"

The realization spread through the crowd like wildfire. I let them simmer in their outrage for a moment, then calmly picked up the mic again.

"For those who haven’t figured it out yet, that video was recorded two days ago. In my home. And as of today, I am officially canceling this wedding!"

The guests erupted into cheers, clapping and shouting their support. Some were even laughing, clearly enjoying the spectacle. And then, right on cue, the doors flew open.

Liam rushed in, panting, dragging a breathless Snow behind him in her wedding dress. Their faces went bewildered as they witnessed the noise and commotion of the scene.

"What’s going on?" they asked, bewildered.

But the moment they saw the footage still playing on the screen, cold sweat began to pour down their now pale faces.

The crowd didn’t waste a second. Food, drinks, even wedding favors started flying their way, pelting them with everything within reach.

"You scumbag!"

"Home-wrecker!"

"How dare you show your face here!"

Liam stumbled, trying to shield Snow from the barrage, while she screamed in shock, ducking behind him. Desperate, Liam scanned the room, his eyes wild with confusion.

"Peyton! Peyton, where are you?!"

But I was already gone, quietly slipping out the side door, suitcase in hand. The car I had booked was waiting just outside, engine running, ready to take me far away from this wreck of a day.

Goodbye, scumbag!