Chapter 2

Reene

After the wedding ceremony ended, the news about my wedding created a buzz like wildfire, especially since the man who had shown up as the groom was not Aaron. Aside from the news, my phone also blew up like crazy.

It was another call from Aaron, which I declined. That would make it twenty-one missed calls. But this time, a text message followed.

It read:

'What is the meaning of this, Reene? Let's talk when I get back home.'

A humorless scoff escaped my lips. “Home? How dare you want to return to my house, Aaron?“

My mind flashed back to the happy days when Aaron and I were still in our dating era. Year after year, he would show up late to our anniversary under the guise of work being hectic, but make it up with a flower and exquisite dinner.

“I'm so lucky to have you in my life, Reene,“ he lied effortlessly through his teeth. The signs had been there, but I had been too gullible to see them.

After dinner, we would then come home and make hot, passionate love. Now that I think about it, I must have looked like a fool to him.

The door to the fitting room was thrown open as the stranger stepped out in his worn-out hoodie, breaking off my thoughts. Too bad he had to change suddenly. He looked quite handsome in a suit.

Shaking the absurd thought out of my head, I said, “I sent the money. Have you confirmed it?“

He nodded. “Yes. If that's all, I'll be on my way now.“

Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist. “Wait!“

He paused. “Is something wrong?“

Aaron said he was going to meet me at home. If he shows up and notices my "husband" wasn't home, then he might be able to piece together that this wedding was a sham.

“I need you to play the role of my husband a little longer,“ I admitted. “If you want to be compensated further for your time, then—“

“There's no need for that. I'll do it,“ he cut in. “Besides, two hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money to just say I do.“

Those words left me speechless as I honestly hadn’t expected him to give in that easily.

“T-Thank you,“ I said, finally finding my voice.

Exiting the chapel, we climbed into the car as my driver took off. When we got home, my "husband" excused himself to take a shower in the guest room while I packed Aaron's belongings downstairs into the living room.

Seated on the couch with a magazine in hand, I calmly awaited his arrival.

“Reene! Where are—“ Aaron paused, his footsteps halting as his gaze fell on his belongings. “What is the meaning of this?“

I looked up from the magazine. “When you said you were coming home, wasn't this what you meant?“

My gaze landed on Gezelle standing behind him. “I heard you're pregnant. Congratulations! Now you and Aaron can become a real family.“

“What nonsense are you talking about, Reene?!“ Aaron shouted. “I told you we can still be together!“

I knew more than anyone that Aaron wasn't scared of losing me, but my money, and I wasn't going to fall for his tricks.

Setting aside the magazine completely, I said, “That's no longer an option. Didn't you hear the news, Aaron? I got married today, and neither I nor my husband are interested in an open marriage, so take your belongings and get out of my house.“

“To have gotten married this quickly, does that mean you've been cheating on me all these years?“ he shamelessly asked.

I didn't respond. How outrageous of him to accuse me of cheating when he had been sleeping with another woman behind my back!

Gezelle broke into a fake sob. “I feel like this is all my fault, Aaron. If you had been able to open your heart to Reene, she wouldn't have cheated on you, and right now, you two would have been happily married.“

Aaron wrapped his arms around Gezelle. “Don't cry, honey. It's only going to upset the baby.“

Standing to my feet, I reached for Gezelle's face, wiping off her tears.

“Don't cry, Gezelle,“ I said. “All Aaron ever did was drain me of my money like a leech. You have no idea how relieved I am to have that burden taken off my shoulders. So, thank you for picking up my trash.“