All Chapters of Stand-in Groom for Hire, Feelings Not Included: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I had just stepped off the stage when I heard my brother, Trevor Nott, say, "Poppy, I was diagnosed with cancer back then. I didn't want to become a burden to you, so I left the country. "Who knew it was all just a misunderstanding? Your eyesight returning is also thanks to all the prayers I've made day and night. The one I've always loved has been you. That has never changed."My mom, Amy Shaw, pushed me aside and took my fiancee, Poppy Steele, by the hand. She gushed, "Trevor really loves you. That's why he was afraid he would hold you back. Now that you two have talked it out, you guys can get back together."My parents were fully aware that Trevor had refused to marry Poppy after her injury. He had threatened suicide to force the cancellation of the engagement so he could go abroad. Unwilling to sever the long-standing relationship between both our families, my parents had me take his place as Poppy's fiance.Now that Poppy's eyesight had been restored, Trevor came rushing b

I pulled out the heirloom pendant from inside my shirt, the stone still warm from the heat of my body.Poppy didn't know that my engagement to her was nothing more than a deal. Her parents never considered me their future son-in-law.They paid me a monthly salary to look after her because they knew nothing about my past and thought I was a bastard who wasn't even worthy of marrying Poppy. The moment she no longer needed me, I would be kicked out without a second thought.Naturally, they had no intention of handing the heirloom pendant over to me.It was Poppy who defied them, demanded that they give it to her, and put it on me herself.I would always remember her gentle whisper. "Milo, you are my fiance. You should have what's rightfully yours."Now, she wanted to take back the heirloom pendant meant for her fiance, along with the special affection she had once shown me.Without hesitation, I passed it to Trevor. "It belongs with its rightful owner. No need to return it to me."

Poppy accepted the gift box, beaming with happiness. She nodded. "I'll come and pick you up in four days. Then we'll get married. Milo, we have to be together forever, okay?"I nodded vaguely and watched her walk away.Seconds later, I received a message from Trevor."Milo, believe it or not, all I have to do is say the word, and you won't be getting the pendant back."His message reminded me that today was the day he was supposed to return it to me.But I paid no mind to his provocation. I hadn't intended to take it back in the first place.I was about to put my phone away when Poppy called."I'm so sorry, Milo. Trevor is throwing a huge fit. He's just been discharged from the hospital and is still unwell. Getting so worked up is bad for his health. Can you let him keep the pendant for a few more days? I'll definitely get it back for you in four days."She only remembered that Trevor was sick, forgetting that I had just come off the operating table too."It's fine," I replied

After thinking it over, Poppy raised her head. "No! I'm not going to believe your one-sided story. I'll find Milo so that you can talk this out in person."Trevor, Benjamin, and Amy made every effort to convince Poppy, but she was unmoved, leaving them completely at a loss.Trevor's face turned scarlet with rage. "Poppy, it's only been five years since we last saw each other, and you don't even believe me anymore? You really do still hold it against me for going missing, don't you?"In the past, whenever a conflict arose, Trevor would play the victim, and the soft-hearted Poppy would quickly give in to him.But this time, she strode forward and grabbed his collar. "Then take off your clothes and show me the wound from the surgery. That'll settle this once and for all! If I'm wrong, I'll apologize to you!"Trevor's face paled. He wasn't sick to begin with, and since he was afraid of pain, he would never put himself in danger just to set me up. Naturally, he had no wounds on his bod

For years, Poppy had been too caught up in everything around her to see what was right in front of her. The man who truly loved her had always been by her side, yet she never realized it.Just then, someone knocked on the door.Poppy wiped her tears away, thinking that I had returned. She eagerly opened the door, only to see her assistant.He said, "Ms. Steele, I went to Mr. Nott's company. He was transferred to the headquarters in Mardor and took a flight out this morning."Poppy quickly grabbed her car keys and instructed, "Book me the earliest flight. I'm going to find him now!"…I was out running errands when I ran into Poppy. I rubbed my eyes, thinking I was seeing things, and was just about to walk away when Poppy threw herself into my arms."Milo, I miss you so much…"I froze, realizing that this wasn't my imagination.Poppy held me for a long time, only letting go when she felt me struggling. With a little pout, she complained, "How could you just disappear without sa