Chapter 1

While my husband was away on a business trip, I took a detour and stumbled upon a bride crying her heart out, her cries echoing louder with every breath.

She wanted to let her late parents know that she'd finally found someone to spend her life with.

The crowd gathered around to comfort her, causing a traffic jam.

Even someone as impatient as me was moved. I stopped and waited for the wedding procession to finish.

Then, out of nowhere, someone shouted, "Alex Carter, you better treat her well!"

The groom looked up at the sky and swore loudly, "If I ever treat her badly, may I die alone. She's the only one I'll ever love."

Alex Carter. Same name as my husband, and his voice sounded familiar, too.

The new couple was so sweet, surrounded by cheers and laughter. The teasing finally coaxed a smile from the bride.

Her tears dried up, and the crowd finally cleared the way. But as I passed, I realized the groom was actually my husband.

*****

And he clearly saw me in the car.

So his "business trip" was to marry someone else.

Alex gave me a meaningful glance, urging me to leave.

I was planning to just keep driving.

But instead, I pulled over to the side of the road, got out of the car, and said, "Hope you don't mind one more guest. I saw all the happiness, and I'd like to share in your joy. Here's a little gift from me."

Weddings were all about good vibes, so people usually welcomed anyone who showed up.

The bride, Sophie Lane, looked genuinely happy. "Of course not," she replied.

I took a seat. How ridiculous! Here I was, attending my own husband's wedding.

I looked around. The lady sitting next to me started chatting with me right away. "They really make a great couple, don't they? Getting here wasn't easy for them," she said.

I gritted my teeth, but the bitterness still crept into my voice. "What do you mean, not easy?" I asked.

She launched right into it.

"The groom's sister was always against it. Can you believe that? She never married, so she didn't want her brother to settle down either.

"It took them five years to finally throw a wedding party. Luckily, the bride's still young, so waiting wasn't a big deal for her," she said.

I dug my nails into my palm.

Now I understood. Since Alex was the only child of his family, I must be the so-called "unreasonable sister" everyone kept blaming. I was the one standing in their way.

Five whole years.

Alex, you were something else.

The night before he left for his business trip, he seemed genuinely sorry.

"I have to go on another business trip for a few days. Sorry, babe. I've just been so busy lately. I promise I'll make it up to you soon," he said.

I told him I understood and even packed his suitcase for him.

Alex called me every day, keeping me posted about his trip and telling me all the funny little stories.

He really played the part of the perfect husband.

Turns out it was all made up. Every single business trip was a lie. Maybe a flicker of regret crossed his mind in that instant. So he resorted to clumsy cover-ups, trying to sweep me off my feet and paint himself as a devoted husband.

The wedding feast was packed with high-end dishes, yet every bite tasted like sawdust to me.

It was time for the couple to circulate with their glasses. When they stopped at our table, Alex seemed quite embarrassed.

So did his friends, but they covered for one another and hid their discomfort well. One timid buddy of Alex's nearly blurted out my name.

Alex quickly cut him off.

I smiled and asked, "So, when will you two file for your marriage license? I can help you with the paperwork. They've got special discounts and complimentary perks for newlyweds lately."

Sophie blushed, looking shy. "Tomorrow," she replied.

I kept my smile gentle.

I hadn't ruined the wedding because I thought she might be innocent. I was dying to see how Alex would keep spinning his lie tomorrow.