Chapter 2

Tina suddenly grabbed my hand. "Wanda, this diamond ring is huge!"

Easton glanced at it and scoffed. "She probably bought it off some bargain app. Synthetic diamonds are dirt cheap these days."

One of his friends, Tony Spencer, chimed in, grinning widely. "Exactly, Wanda, don't be so vain. If you're so desperate to get married and Easton's out of your league, I might as well do you a favor!"

As he reached out with his yellowed teeth flashing, trying to touch my hand, I slapped him away hard. "Get lost!"

His face twisted in anger. He spat at the floor and cursed. "You think you're so special? I was just being nice, but clearly, you don't deserve it! You really think I would want you?"

Seeing this, Easton flared up. "Wanda, do you think I've been too soft with you? How dare you talk to my friend like that?"

Watching his face flush with rage, I felt my heart turn colder.

No matter what I gave to him, in his eyes, I would never matter more than Tina. Even his useless friends could humiliate me as they pleased.

Tina blushed and gently tugged on Easton's sleeve. "Easton, don't be so harsh. She's here to help, after all."

Then, she turned to me with that familiar sweetness, smiling with fake concern. "Wanda, thank you so much for today. Renting that wedding dress must've cost a lot. It looks like a designer piece. You must've really gone all out!"

Easton wrapped his arms around her and said softly, "You're too kind, Tina. She definitely rented it."

Then, he smirked and directed a jab at me, "This is the most luxurious hotel in the city. I only booked it for an hour. How could someone like her possibly land such a rich husband who can afford the whole venue?"

Tina pouted and snuggled into his chest like a delicate flower. "Easton, don't say that about Wanda. She's been so devoted to you."

But I had seen through her long ago. That sweet act was only for show. Behind the scenes, she smoked, drank, and partied like a pro.

Easton, blinded by her act, had even paid for her abortion.

When I once tried to warn him, he turned on me with fury.

"Wanda, I can't believe you'd say something like that. Tina just had her appendix removed! How can you accuse her of having an abortion? Say that again, and I'll slap you!"

After that, I never said another word.

Now, Tina raised her head in Easton's arms, her eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction and just a touch of pity. She sighed, pretending to be heartbroken.

"Wanda, as your friend, it honestly hurts to see you like this. You've been chasing Easton for years, but he's always said it made him uncomfortable. I know you love him, but forcing it only made things worse. He's never seen you as more than a friend."

Tony jumped in. "Exactly! Wanda's got no curves front or back. She's basically just another dude. No way she compares to Tina's hot body!"

He was still grinning lewdly when Easton suddenly punched him.

"Tina's not someone you can fantasize about! Watch your damn mouth!"

Tony clutched his swelling cheek, glaring at me spitefully.

And then, I understood. No matter how much I was mocked or humiliated, Easton would just laugh along with them. But the moment someone made a crude joke about Tina, he snapped.

Tina quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, let's not fight over this. Just let it go for my sake."

She reached out to tug at the diamond ring on my finger. "Wanda, you'd better return that dress and ring. You might get a little refund if you're quick!"

Her voice was sweet, but her hands were rough and unkind.

"I'll cover the return shipping. Stop pretending you're rich just because you're wearing these."

That gentle image she worked so hard to maintain was built entirely on this kind of manipulative behavior.

I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and looked her straight in the eye. "This isn't rented. My husband bought me both the dress and the ring."

Easton burst out laughing. "You're unbelievable, Wanda. You should write fiction. I'd actually marry you if that were true!"

His friends joined in, raising their voices on purpose.

"Yeah, didn't you say today was your wedding day?"

"So where's the groom? There are dozens of tables waiting. Don't mess around now!"

Tony, whom I'd just slapped, shouted even louder, his face red with anger. "Yeah, call the groom out! Everyone's dying to witness this so-called love story!"

Guests stood up one by one, their stares like knives.

Just then, the emcee's clear voice rang out from the stage. "And now, let's welcome the bride and groom!"

Tina's eyes lit up with glee. She stepped forward with fake concern. "Wanda, come on, just admit it. I'm really afraid this will blow up!"

But I waved her off and said coldly, "Step aside. I'm going on stage."

She stumbled back, losing her balance, and crashed into a display board near the entrance.

She scrambled to pick it back up. When she finally saw what was written on it clearly, she froze.

After a long pause, she slowly lifted her head and looked at me, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"Wanda, why is there a photo of you and Gavin Hackett on this board?"

Easton stood frozen, like his feet were cemented to the ground.

"What did you say? That's impossible!"

He suddenly rushed over and yanked the display board from the floor, his hands trembling slightly.

"Did you make this yourself? Did you put it here on purpose?"

After staring at it for a long while, he snapped back to his senses and gave me a thumbs-up.

"Wow, Wanda, you really came prepared! I underestimated you! So what else do you have planned? Let's see it all!"

His friends behind him looked hesitant.

"Easton, the display board is at the entrance. Could it actually be real?"

"Yeah, is today seriously Wanda's wedding?"

Easton laughed it off. "Look at her. Who in their right mind would actually marry her?"

His friend quickly agreed. "Right? What kind of rich guy would ever go for someone like her?"

Tina was still frozen in shock, muttering to herself, "How could it be Gavin Hackett? That's impossible!"

A low, magnetic voice cut through the crowd. "Wanda, what are you waiting for? Come up here."

The man standing onstage smiled at me warmly and held out his hand.