Chapter 1

On our wedding day, my fiancé, Michael Lane, got into a car accident and ended up in the hospital.

When I rushed over, everyone was already in hospital gowns, and with my face blindness, I couldn't tell who my fiancé was.

Just then, the guy next to me suddenly shoved someone out from behind him. "This is your groom. It's your wedding day," the man said.

That night, I accidentally overheard my husband on the phone. "Michael, if you didn't want to get married, you could've just said so. Why did you make me pretend to be you?"

Michael replied, "Of course I want to get married, but Emily's back in the country. I just want to make up for what I missed out on when I was younger before I tie the knot."

It finally made sense to me.

No wonder my "husband" was so much more intense in bed tonight. I thought it was just the wedding-night excitement, but it turned out it wasn't even him.

I quietly slipped back into the room, acting like I hadn't heard a thing.

After all, I was the one having all the fun here.

*****

I lay back down in bed, acting like nothing was out of the ordinary.

Ten minutes later, my "husband" came in and silently lay down beside me.

I hadn't recognized him earlier, but after listening to their phone conversation, I realized this guy was Michael's best friend from childhood—Cedric Laurent.

I had face blindness, so I couldn't tell people apart by their faces. But from what I'd heard, he was pretty handsome, even more so than Michael.

And honestly, his body is way better than Michael's. He got a killer eight-pack, broad shoulders, a slim waist, and he could go all night. What Michael did was a total win for me.

Lost in my own thoughts, I couldn't help but savor the feeling from earlier. I was hooked. Before I knew it, I couldn't resist climbing onto Cedric.

"Honey, how about another round?" I teased, my fingers already tracing his abs.

His abs felt incredible. He clearly hit the gym regularly, unlike Michael, whose abs had gotten soft after he spent the last few years focused on work.

Cedric didn't say a word, but his body answered for him. He pulled me onto his lap, wrapped his hand around my neck, and drew me in for a kiss.

The night slipped away.

When I woke up the next morning, sunlight was streaming through the window. The spot next to me was already cold.

"Honey?" I called out, my voice still a little hoarse. I got up and went out to look for him.

I spotted him in the entryway, looking sharp in a suit. "Where are you going?" I asked, with a puzzled look.

"I've got some stuff to handle at the office," Cedric replied, doing his best Michael impression. "Breakfast is on the table. Don't forget to eat."

I wasn't happy about it, so I put on a sulky face. "Didn't we agree before the wedding that you'd take two months off for our wedding leave? And just recently, you said you'd take me shopping right after the wedding. Are you playing me?"

Cedric froze for a second, totally clueless about what I was talking about. After a long pause, he finally replied, "No, I just forgot about it."

I got even more pissed, turned around, and flopped onto the couch. "Figures. Once a guy gets what he wants, he stops caring. Go ahead, then. Why don't you just move into your office and never come back?"

After a long pause, he came back over to me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. My assistant called this morning. Something urgent came up at work. But forget it. I'll blow off work and take you shopping. We'll go right after breakfast, okay?"

I ignored him.

Cedric just kept trying to win me over. "Is there anything you want to buy? I'll go with you, alright?"

"Fine, I want that bag I was eyeing last month," I finally caved, letting out a little huff.

Cedric breathed out in relief. "Alright."

"And I want a new necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring. My jewelry's been outdated forever, so I'm getting a whole new set," I kept piling on.

Michael had a falling out with his family a few years ago and ended up building his own business from the ground up.

I always worried about him, so after we got together, I pinched every penny I could.

Every dollar he gave me, I saved up, so if his business ever tanked, I could bail him out.

But now? Screw saving! If I didn't spend it, his precious Emily would. I might as well blow it all myself.

I couldn't care less whether it was Michael or Cedric footing the bill. Anyway, after all the ways they'd taken advantage of me, it was only fair they pay me back a little.