All Chapters of Forgotten Groom in the Back Alley: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

(Jude's POV)I spoke loudly enough for everyone around us to hear.The room fell silent for a moment.Then Sabina York spoke gently again, but she was talking to Caleb Yeoman. "Caleb, are you nervous? Come here. I'll give you a hug."She pulled her hand back from me without a second thought and wrapped her arms around Caleb.It was as if nothing had happened, and she hadn't heard me at all.She treated me as if I wasn't even there.That familiar helplessness came rushing back.Sabina was ignoring me again.She always said we had to keep our distance around our coworkers.So unless it was about work, she deliberately ignored everything I said.And somehow, whatever happened always became another reason for her to fuss over Caleb.Once, when I was running late, I asked her to hold the elevator. Instead, she asked Caleb if he was cold from the draft and pressed the button to close the doors.When my stomach hurt, I asked her to get me some warm water. She turned around, asked

Chapter 2

(Jude's POV)I looked away, utterly humiliated. Then I took a cab back to the hotel.The moment I turned on my phone, Sabina's messages popped up."It was just to avoid gossip. Don't make a scene.""You were way too emotional today. You almost ruined everything we've worked for over the past eight years.""Apologize to everyone in the group chat and smooth things over. Don't make this awkward for everyone.It was rare for her to send more than a couple of messages, yet every one of them was telling me to back down.I was struck by how absurd it all was.I couldn't help but ask, "Who's really making a scene here? When you gave my wedding to Caleb, did you ever care how humiliating that was for me?"When they insulted me, did you ever care how embarrassed I was?"Sabina, whose side are you really on?"There was a brief silence before she replied, "I'm thinking about the bigger picture. This is all to avoid gossip."I gave a bitter laugh and asked again, "Then what if I want t

Chapter 3

(Jude's POV)When I got home from the hotel, I threw my dirty suit in the trash and started packing.When Sabina said we had to avoid gossip at all costs, we even had to do it at home.So for eight years, we slept in separate rooms. My bedroom had been converted from a hidden storage room.None of my things was allowed outside that room, and she never let anything of mine match hers.Even on our anniversary, when I bought us matching mugs as a gift, she only berated me for ruining everything she'd done to keep us apart. Then she threw them in the trash.After that, we never celebrated another anniversary.I smiled bitterly to myself and swept all my personal belongings from the packed cabinets into the trash, keeping only what I needed.Eight years of living like a stranger in my own home fit into one small suitcase.Just as I was about to leave, Sabina walked in with Caleb.She stopped when she saw my packed suitcase, then gave me an approving look. "You're finally being rea

Chapter 4

(Jude's POV)To leave this suffocating place, I canceled my bus ticket.I booked the next available flight and headed straight to the airport.After everything that happened, I couldn't bear to stay in this city any longer.My phone kept buzzing the whole way.Messages from the company group chat and Sabina kept coming in.I opened the chat even though I knew it would hurt, only to be greeted by a screen full of photos.Every picture showed Sabina and Caleb looking close and happy together.That was when I noticed how well Sabina spoiled Caleb.The sneakers on his feet were the limited-edition pair I had wanted for a long time. The watch on his wrist was the one Sabina's father had said he would give to his son-in-law.Even the wedding ring fit Caleb perfectly.So the things I'd never had were already meant for someone she thought was more deserving.I reopened my chat with Sabina.There was no comfort or apology. She just sent a few empty explanations and orders."They w

Chapter 5

(The Third POV)Sabina froze as if she had just heard something impossible."He quit?" she asked. "Who approved his resignation? Why wasn't I told?"Dorothy sounded confused. "I sent you his resignation form last night. You signed it yourself."Sabina immediately remembered the document she had received the night before.When Dorothy mentioned Jude's papers at the party, Sabina had assumed he was trying to take Caleb's promotion.So after telling Jude to give the manager's position to Caleb, she signed the document without even reading it.She had thought she was simply signing a transfer order, never imagining it was Jude's resignation.Just last night, she had been pleased by how obedient and understanding Jude had been.Now she realized that obedience had been something else entirely. It was as if he had accepted his fate, or rather, he had made up his mind to leave.The realization hit her hard. For the first time, Sabina felt completely out of control.She whispered to

Chapter 6

(The Third POV)Sabina sat slumped beside the bed, clutching the stained suit as regret consumed her.Just then, she heard a noise outside. She looked up at once, and hope flickered in her eyes."Jude?" she called out. "Is that you? Did you come back?"She opened the door, but the sight before her made the words catch in her throat.Her coworkers streamed in, carrying bags full of food.Caleb was at the front. His smile froze for a moment when he saw her.Still, under their coworkers' knowing looks, he put an arm around Sabina and pulled her aside."Ms. York… I mean, Sabs, weren't you getting ready for the wedding? Why are you back already?" he asked.Sabina rubbed her tired eyes, not noticing how strange Caleb was behaving. "Jude has gone missing. The wedding is canceled."A flash of joy crossed Caleb's eyes, but he still put on a worried look."How did this happen? Is Jude still angry?" he asked. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't taken the groom's place to help you two avoid

Chapter 7

(The Third POV)Sabina swayed slightly and let go of Lionel's collar in embarrassment.Lionel ran over to Caleb for help, as if the latter were his last hope.Caleb forced a smile and said, "Sabs, don't be too hard on him. Lionel probably didn't mean it. Firing him is too harsh. Why not send him to the Beston project for a while—"Before he could finish, Sabina shot him an icy look. "Plead for him again, and you're out too."It was the first time she had ever spoken to him that harshly. Caleb froze in an instant, and his eyes welled up with tears.Seeing that Sabina had made up her mind, Lionel angrily dropped the bags of food.He glared at Caleb resentfully and said, "Some husband you are. Ms. York won't even listen to you!"The word "husband" made Sabina bristle, and her tone turned cold. "Who said Caleb is my husband?" she snapped. "He's my best friend. Jude is the one I love. If I hadn't been trying to avoid gossip, I never would've let Caleb take Jude's place at the wedd

Chapter 8

(Jude's POV)While Sabina searched everywhere for me, I was already settling into my new life at a company back home.The work environment was great. My new boss valued my experience and skills, and I no longer had to sacrifice my own happiness to hide a relationship.Three months after I settled in, Sabina still found me.Over those three months, I often heard about her from my parents.They told me she had fired all the coworkers who talked about me, sent Caleb to Beston, and made our relationship public.But the only thing I cared about was that she had been hanging around my parents and causing them a lot of trouble.That was why I agreed to meet her.In just three months, Sabina looked like a different person. The bright, elegant woman I knew was gone.No matter how neatly she dressed, she couldn't hide the exhaustion and worry on her face.The moment she saw me, her eyes lit up. She wanted to come over and hug me, but she didn't dare.She hesitated before asking, "Jude

Chapter 9

(Jude's POV)From then on, I kept things strictly professional at work. I wouldn't answer any of Sabina's questions or requests unless they were work-related.Even when she asked me to pass her a cup or hold the door, I ignored her.Before long, everyone around us noticed how cold I was toward her.Some people told her to find a different supervisor, but Sabina gritted her teeth and refused.She knew this was what she deserved after treating me so coldly for eight years.It wasn't until my senior from my college joined the company that she truly saw the difference.Celine Stone was my senior under the same advisor. We had the same research group, so we had more to talk about than most people.No matter how much Sabina tried to get between us, she always got brushed off.Seeing my attention gradually shift toward Celine, Sabina couldn't help trying to get my attention.When she bought me coffee, I took Celine out to a cafe.When Sabina brought me cookies, I shared the breakfa

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