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Chapter 2

Auteur: Perfect Timing
The dress I picked hit right at my ankles. My fiancé helped me choose it.

Lifting the skirt, I stepped around Gideon and headed toward city hall.

He grabbed my wrist. "Drop the act. Who do you think you're fooling? If you're that thirsty to get married, go grab some rando and get the papers signed. Just leave me out of it."

I looked at his face—and felt nothing but disappointment.

No fight. No anger. Just done.

The Gideon who once chased a guy down eight blocks to make him apologize for trash-talking me? Gone.

I shook my head and tried pulling my hand back.

That's when Olivia showed up. "Gideon!" she called out.

He instantly dropped my wrist, then—trying way too hard—pulled out an alcohol wipe and scrubbed the hand that touched me, like I was something gross.

Olivia walked up. "Gideon, what are you doing here?

Madison, are you actually getting married? You even wore the dress."

Gideon glanced around, clearly too scared to admit the whole thing was a setup.

Panicking, he grabbed one of his trashy friends and shoved him next to me, forcing a laugh.

"Olivia, you're too sharp—you figured it out! It's Madison and Bruce's big day! We're just here to cheer them on!"

His group jumped in right on cue.

"Yeah, yeah! Madison and Bruce! Big day—we're here to celebrate!"

I glanced at Bruce—shorter than me, grinning like an idiot—and felt sick.

Gideon caught Olivia's suspicious look and shoved us forward.

"Go on, get that license. Olivia's watching!"

I stumbled. Bruce, getting way too confident, grabbed my hand.

He leaned in. "Madison, Gideon's never gonna want you. But you've got a decent face and body. We could make it work."

That was it.

I ripped my hand away and staggered to the wall, dry heaving.

Gideon jumped in fast. "Whoa, Madison—don't tell me you're already pregnant. Shotgun wedding? Bruce, look at you!"

Olivia lit up. "Madison, I used to worry about your love life, but now you've got a husband AND a baby on the way? Congrats!"

I stared straight at Gideon, still cracking up like it was all hilarious.

"I AM getting married," I said, deadpan. "Just not to any of you lowlifes. My fiancé's inside, grabbing our number. Save the congratulations."

Gideon's smile froze mid-laugh.

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  • The Prank That Backfired   Chapter 10

    After that birthday mess, I braced for impact. I figured Henry would be furious—maybe even done with me.Anyone watching could see the history between me and Gideon ran deep.But Henry? He didn't flinch. Treated me just as gently as he did from the start.His parents had been there too—and they had plenty to say about Gideon—but Henry stepped in first, smoothing it all out before I even had to.I finally asked, "Why are you so good to me?"He flicked my forehead. "Seriously? Still haven't figured it out?"Then he made a circle with his fingers near his eyes, like fake glasses.I blinked, confused—then it hit me."Oh—it's you!"Henry grinned, finally satisfied. "That's right. It's me."I couldn't help laughing. The one who'd always been there for me... it was him. All along.Just like Gideon once said—back when I started college, I was the star. Solid grades, easy to get along with, people liked me.There was this quiet freshman with thick glasses who always hovered nearby,

  • The Prank That Backfired   Chapter 9

    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

  • The Prank That Backfired   Chapter 8

    We stepped onto the red carpet together, heading toward the hotel entrance.Staff lined both sides, confetti tubes ready. A few pops later, glitter and ribbons came raining down."Happy birthday, Ms. Montclaire—and congrats on the wedding!" they cheered.I didn't bother looking back at Gideon—I already knew exactly what face he was making.The doors to Ballroom A swung open, and a spotlight hit Henry and me dead-on.Inside, I spotted my friends in the guest seats... and even my parents.They smiled and waved like it was the happiest day of their lives."Madison, Henry, congratulations on your marriage, and happy birthday, Madison!"We were soaking it all in when a voice behind us sliced through the air, shocked and thrown."Mr. Montclaire? Mrs. Montclaire? What are you doing here?"My mom saw Gideon—and her smile vanished.She used to root for us. But after everything he put me through, that faded fast.Her voice turned ice-cold. "Oh, it's you, Gideon. Here for Madison's bi

  • The Prank That Backfired   Chapter 7

    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

  • The Prank That Backfired   Chapter 6

    Before we left city hall, Henry knelt down and adjusted my dress.He gently untangled my veil and wiped the dirt off the hem where people had stepped on it."Sorry," he said softly. "I just really wanted to see you in a wedding dress, so I asked you to wear it today. Maybe I should've just picked you up, even if you said no."His voice was low and warm, and his words made my face flush.He talked like we had history.But we'd only met once.I avoided his eyes, mumbling, "It's fine. I insisted on taking a cab. Not your fault."Henry let out a soft laugh and held out his hand. "Then... can I hold your hand now?"I knew Gideon and his crew were downstairs, waiting for a scene.So I placed my hand in his—firm, steady.But there was still this tightness in my chest, like something awful was waiting to happen."Henry," I said quietly, "if you hear anything nasty... don't take it to heart. Just ignore it."He gave my hand a light squeeze and smiled. "Still calling me Henry? That's

  • The Prank That Backfired   Chapter 5

    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

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