Chapter 4 The Groom in the Mask

My phone kept buzzing with messages from my coworkers.

"Grayson, Ryder went to SE and signed that contract early, pretending to act on your behalf. Your girlfriend was with him at the time."

"You spent six grueling months on that project, and they just stole all your credit!"

"Ryder and Gwendolyn were practically joined at the hip during that time. I knew those two were doing it on the down low!"

Just then, the door lock clicked.

Gwendolyn walked over carrying a cola and a latte.

She handed the cola to Ryder before looking down at me. "Grayson, we need to talk."

I ignored the latte, zipped up my suitcase, and pulled it to my side. "About what? About how you handed my contract over to him? Or how you recommended to HR that he take over my position after I leave?"

She stared at me, rendered speechless.

I was almost out the door with my suitcase when she finally snapped out of it. She hurried after me, grabbed me in a fit of panic, and began explaining in a rush.

"Grayson, I'd been meaning to talk to you about this. I want you to quit your job after we get married. My parents want grandchildren as soon as possible, and I hope you'll be willing to make a sacrifice and focus on our family. This is just happening a little earlier than planned—"

Her palm was burning hot against my skin. In the past, her touch would've made my heart flutter, but now it only made me feel sick to my stomach.

I stared at her hand, utterly unmoving. Eventually, she noticed my expression, released me from her clutches, and stepped back.

"Ryder's your best friend, not some stranger. You're leaving anyway, so what's wrong with handing the project and your position over to him?"

I gripped my suitcase, struggling to make my voice sound even as I replied, "If you care about him that much, then why don't you marry him? You taught him to cook every single day while I was away on business.

"You registered his fingerprint on the lock so he could get into my house, let him wear my apron, and filled my fridge with all his favorite foods. You even made sure his parents got the milk they liked. Yet, you still expect me to just let it go and not be petty after all that?

"I don't want to be part of this love triangle anymore. So, I sold the house. Yet, you turned around and bought it for him. And now you're asking me to sacrifice my career and focus on family? What family is there?

"Gwendolyn, do you not taste the bullshit on your tongue when you say things like that?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she clung to me. "Just hear me out. I'll be more careful from now on—"

I cut her off, saying bluntly, "I don't want to hear your excuse, and you don't need to be more careful. Just get out of my life."

I shook her off and stepped into the elevator.

…

As the doors across the hall swung open, I heard their voices drifting from the apartment.

"You're not going after him?"

"No. You have to take me to the hospital tomorrow morning. My period's late this month, and last time… I don't think we used a condom."

My hand spasmed on instinct before relaxing. I expected my heart to break, but I felt absolutely nothing.

Ryder's chuckles drifted over from the other side. "Aren't you worried he'll call off the wedding?"

Gwendolyn fell silent for a few seconds before laughing dismissively. "He wouldn't have the heart to. He might stay at a hotel for a few nights, but the wedding will go on as planned."

As I rode down in the elevator, she sent me a message. "I'll come get you once you've cooled off."

I didn't reply. Instead, I got into a cab and headed straight to the airport.

After that, Ryder posted on social media more and more often.

"Helping my best friend pick out his wedding outfit today."

"Wedding-ring shopping with my bestie today. She insisted I try one on…"

People in the comments started egging them on.

"At this point, you and Gwendolyn might as well get married already."

Gwendolyn replied, "That's impossible. Grayson is the one I'm marrying."

The comment was deleted 30 minutes later.

…

The night before the wedding, I was out discussing a business deal when she flooded my phone with messages.

"Ryder's parents are coming tomorrow, too. I'm picking them up, so you'll have to get to the reception on your own."

Then, she sent me a location pin. "Tomorrow is our big day. Our coworkers, bosses, and older relatives will all be there. Don't be difficult."

I sent someone a screenshot of her messages before transferring them a hefty sum. "I'm counting on you. Do your best and don't let everyone down tomorrow!"

The other person replied with a salute emoji.

…

The next day, Gwendolyn stood on the stage in her white wedding gown. She was grinning from ear to ear.

The reception hall doors swung open, and the groom approached the stage in his wedding attire with a mask on his face.

Cheers, screams, and applause erupted around the room.

As Gwendolyn watched the figure draw closer, she suddenly grew excited.

She completely ignored the emcee's attempts to stop her as she clutched her gown and hurried over before yanking the mask right off.

However, she froze when she saw the groom's face.