Chapter 1 The Other Man

Ryan's POV

After submitting my resignation, I looked up and saw Kimberly serving soup to her so-called fiance.

Katherine was the happiest person in the room. She took a bank card out of a small case and pressed it into Elliot's hand.

"This should be enough for a house. Take it."

Elliot hurriedly tried to push it back. "I can't accept this."

"You're about to marry my daughter. Why won't you accept it?"

"But…" Elliot looked even more uncomfortable.

Kimberly stepped in. "Just take it."

Elliot glanced at me in the corner and mouthed, "Sorry."

For three years, he did nothing but apologize. He was sorry for taking my place and potentially sharing a bed with my girlfriend.

I grabbed my glass and gulped down a mouthful of liquor, only to choke and cough.

One relative after another offered their congratulations, wishing the happy couple a wedding soon. Meanwhile, I sat there like an outsider.

That very morning, Kimberly had been curled up in my arms, telling me, "Ryan, I know I've put you through a lot these past few years. Tonight, I'll finally set things straight with my mom. I'm going to marry you."

Full of hope, I'd gone to a salon for a new haircut and put on my most expensive suit, all to make a good impression on her relatives.

But when she announced her wedding, I realized I wasn't going to be the groom.

"Hey!" Someone called out to me. "Your buddy's getting married. Why haven't you congratulated him yet?"

Everyone turned to look at me.

I clenched my wine glass tightly and raised it toward Kimberly. "I wish you both a long and happy marriage."

Kimberly's response was colder than anyone else's. "Thanks."

She was always like that.

The moment she got home, she acted as if we were strangers. She said she didn't want Katherine getting the wrong idea. Since I was Elliot's buddy, we had to keep our distance.

We couldn't even talk except through WhatsApp.

After the banquet ended, I slipped away to the balcony by myself.

For once, Kimberly followed me. She wrapped her arms around me from behind.

"I'm sorry, Ryan. I was going to tell her the truth, but my mom's health has taken another turn for the worse. If she finds out I've been lying to her all this time, she wouldn't be able to take it…"

I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat and forced myself to sound calm. "Seems like you're really going through with the wedding with Elliot."

Kimberly stiffened, then hugged me tighter. "One last time. Once we finish putting on this act, we'll get married."

"Kimberly, I—"

Before I could finish, Elliot called her from inside.

Kimberly didn't ask what I'd wanted to say. She just hurriedly told me, "We'll talk later," and left, acting like nothing happened.

I had just reached for the doorknob when Katherine's voice drifted through the crack in the door. "Kim, how many times have I told you? Stop bringing outsiders into the family gathering."

Her relatives chimed in.

"Yeah, Kim. What right does an outsider have to show up and freeload?"

"That young man doesn't look trustworthy. He couldn't take his eyes off you the whole meal…"

Elliot tried to defend me. "Katherine, it's not like that."

But Katherine frowned. "Do you think I can't see what he's after? Kim, don't follow in your father's footsteps."

Kimberly had told me what happened back then.

When her father cheated, he'd gone so far as to sue Katherine to protect his mistress.

And now, I'd become the homewrecker she hated most.