The Prank That Backfired

I saw it—Gideon Salton taking cash from his buddies, one after another.That was when it clicked: I was just the punchline in some bet.The ones who lost laughed first, then rolled their eyes like I was the idiot."Madison Montclaire, do you even get how much I lost 'cause of you? Use your brain for once.""We've told you a million times—Gideon's way outta your league. You really thought he'd marry you?""He's played you, what, eight, ten times? And you STILL fall for it? You're hopeless."I bit my lip so hard it stung, fingers digging into my own skin.Gideon, done raking in the cash, strolled back like nothing."What's wrong, Madison? Not happy?"Then he turned to his crew."Hey, chill out. It's Madison's big day. Don't pick on the birthday girl."For a second, I almost thought he grew a conscience.Then he fished a bill from his pocket and held it out."Thanks for the thousand, babe. Here—five bucks. Go get a cupcake or something. Happy birthday."The group cracked up

Just then, my phone buzzed.I picked up, nodded through the call. "Second floor? Got it. I'll grab a number first."Gideon was still frozen. "I'm in a wedding dress because my fiancé booked a photographer," I said. "He wanted to capture the day we register. This one's the lightest of the seven I picked—easiest to move in. Since you're all here, I'll hand these out now. Wedding's on the tenth next month. You're invited."I pulled out white invites, passing them around.When I got to Gideon, he didn't take one.The others started whispering."Wembley Hotel? That's the nicest spot in the city. Did Madison marry rich or what?"Gideon sneered, eyes full of judgment. "You always loved a dramatic entrance, huh? Invitations? Wembley? This whole act's embarrassing."He barely touched the invite—just flicked it aside like trash.Olivia glanced at it and sighed. "Sorry, Madison. But no photo of you two? It doesn't exactly scream legit."We didn't have photos because we hadn't taken th

Up on the second floor of city hall, I handed over the paperwork.Even when the staff gave us our marriage certificate, it still didn't feel real.Just like that, I was married.Not to Gideon—the guy I spent years chasing—but to someone I barely knew."Alright, bride and groom, smile for the camera."The photographer snapped a photo of us post-registration.Henry must've picked up on how out of it I was. He turned to the photographer."One picture's enough. Just need something to show my family."I mumbled something about using the restroom—really, I just needed a second to breathe.As I passed a second-floor window, voices floated up from below—and when I peeked out, I spotted them.Gideon. His friends.Gideon was smoking, his crew gathered around him.Through the haze, someone asked, "You really think Madison's getting married?"Another scoffed. "That guy's totally an actor. Be real—a guy like that would NEVER go for Madison."Gideon flicked his cigarette to the ground

Heart pounding, I followed Henry to the Wembley Hotel.He opened the car door, gave this smooth little gesture for me to step out.But Gideon and his crew were already there, standing around like they owned the place. All smirks and smug glances. Olivia sighed and gave me that look—like I'd let her down again.They were all waiting for the crash.I couldn't bring myself to move. Just sat there, frozen in the seat, dreading the moment everything would fall apart.Henry met my eyes, steady and sure. "Don't be scared. I really brought you here for your birthday."Should I believe him?Gideon once promised me the biggest, most unforgettable party for my twentieth.I showed up all dressed up, heart racing—only to watch him turn and hand the bouquet to Olivia.Right there, in front of everyone, my birthday party turned into a full-on love confession."Olivia, will you be my girlfriend?"Gideon was charming, sincere. Olivia looked shocked, glowing. The crowd erupted in applause.A

Henry shoved him hard. Gideon stumbled, hit the floor—and still crawled toward me."I was wrong, okay? I messed up!" he cried. "I'm apologizing, I'm begging—just don't marry someone else!"I looked down at him, cold. "Haven't you humiliated me enough, Gideon? You really had to ruin my birthday too? What do I even owe you, that you'd come here like this—like it's payback?"He crawled forward again and latched onto my leg. "You don't owe me anything. I'm the trash. I didn't even like Olivia. I just wanted to make you jealous."I'm sorry, Madison! After we got to college, you started shining, and I freaked out. I thought you'd outgrow me—that I'd disappear from your life. So I acted out, made bets, did all that crap... just to prove to everyone you still loved me. That your love for me... no one else could ever touch it."His eyes were red, face wrecked, waiting—hoping—for something.I looked straight at him and said, calm and clear, "But I don't love you anymore."Then I shoved Gi