He Chose His Girl Bestie, I Chose Her Groom

By the time I arrived at the hotel, the wedding had already begun.

The welcome sign at the entrance, which should have displayed my name, now bore only Larry's.

When the guests saw me, they hurried to smooth things over.

"Amber, you're here. The whole thing with the bridal pickup ritual was just a bit of fun."

"It's a happy occasion. Don't get upset over something so trivial."

"Nicola and Julian grew up together. Everyone was just having a laugh."

I didn't respond.

My fiancé, Julian Bennett, looked up and noticed my childhood friend, Larry Connell, standing beside me. His brows furrowed, then his expression darkened.

"Why did you come here with Larry? I could let the whole thing with the bridal car slide, but now you've deliberately come to the hotel in his car too? What exactly are you trying to pull?"

I stared at him, my throat tightening. "There was only one bridal car, and you were the one who let Nicola get in and left me behind. And now you're asking what I'm trying to pull?"

In a lowered voice, Julian retorted impatiently, "You could've waited for your maid of honor, Heather Monroe, to drive you here, but you just had to show up with Larry. Both of our parents are here—do you really have to make this ugly?"

For a moment, I genuinely wanted to ask Julian who had actually made this ugly in the first place. But before I could say anything, Nicola Sanderson had already walked up to me.

"Amber, don't take this the wrong way. Julian isn't blaming you. Are you still upset that I rode in the bridal car? If it bothers you that much, I'll give you the boutonniere back right now."

As she spoke, she reached up and lightly touched the boutonniere.

Someone beside us immediately chimed in, "Amber, don't be like this. Nicola was only trying to be nice. You've all known each other since you were kids. It was just a joke. Do you really have to make such a big deal out of it? So many people are here today—surely you can at least show Julian some respect."

Listening to them go on and on about saving face only made my chest tighten with pain.

It was my wedding, yet Julian had mistaken Nicola for me. Now, even the boutonniere and bridal bouquet were in her hands. And somehow, everyone still thought I was the one being unreasonable.

Just then, Larry—who had been standing quietly beside me all this time—suddenly spoke up. "Don't worry, I'll walk in with you."

Julian finally turned to look at him, his expression grim. "Larry, are you really going to indulge her nonsense too?"

Larry's expression remained calm. "You're accompanying Nicola, so it only seems fair that I accompany Amber, no?"

His words landed like a public slap across Julian's face, causing the latter's expression to darken instantly.

I turned away from them and gathered up my dress before walking into the ballroom.

At the head table, the seat beside Larry was supposed to be mine. But now, Nicola's purse sat on that chair.

Before long, the emcee, Frank Coffey, took the stage and began guiding everyone through the wedding rituals.

"Now, let's welcome the bride and groom to the stage to share a ceremonial drink!"

I had just started to rise when Nicola glanced down at her boutonniere. Then, with an embarrassed look on her face, she asked, "Since I was the one who went through the bridal pickup ritual just now, does that mean I have to go onstage too?"

Julian hesitated for a few seconds before reaching out to place a hand on Nicola's waist.

"Be a good sport and finish this part of the ceremony on behalf of Amber."

In that moment, it felt as though something had nailed my feet firmly to the floor.

Frank immediately handed them the wine glasses.

Julian and Nicola linked arms and downed their drinks.

Applause erupted from all around them, accompanied by waves of laughter.

Standing below the stage, I dug my nails into my palm until my hand began to go numb.

When Julian confessed his feelings to me seven years ago, he had promised that when we got married, he would make sure I was the one standing by his side during the most important moment of our lives.

Yet, now, he was sharing the ceremonial drink with another woman.

Not far away, Julian was surrounded by a few of his groomsmen, laughing and joking.

"Julian, aren't you worried you'll really piss Amber off? What if she actually leaves you?"

Julian took a sip of his wine, then replied with absolute confidence, "She won't leave. When has she ever stormed off without coming back on her own?"

The men around him burst out laughing.

I listened quietly, my eyes prickling.

So, this was how little I was worth in his eyes.