Chapter 1
[I just registered marriage with your boyfriend. Let me be his wife for a bit, okay?]
I stared at the marriage certificate Victor Hogan's childhood friend, Melissa Wilcox, had sent me with her message. The screen blurred as the words hit me like a bolt from the blue.
Victor and I had agreed to register our marriage today. Half an hour ago, he even texted me saying he was on his way to pick me up.
Now, he had become Melissa's husband.
Half an hour later, he showed up with Melissa. He explained, "Honey, don't misunderstand. Melissa is one of my buddies. She just got a job offer, but the position requires employees to be married.
"She really likes the job. As her friend, I had to help her.
"Don't worry. Once her job is stable, I'll go get a divorce from her immediately. Then you and I will get married."
Melissa deliberately looked at me cautiously and asked, "Jillian, you're not mad, are you?"
*****
Before I could say a word, Victor jumped in, sounding all confident.
"She won't. Jillian's not the type to hold grudges," he said.
I really wasn't the jealous type.
A divorced guy? That was damaged goods. I wasn't interested.
"Jillian, I'm so relieved you're not mad," Melissa said, flashing me an innocent, sweet smile.
She walked over and hooked her arm through mine like we were old friends.
"Jillian, today's a day to celebrate," she said. "Victor says you're a total pro in the kitchen. I'd love to try your cooking.
"Victor was gonna take me out to celebrate, but nothing beats a home-cooked meal.
"How about I help you cook? We can cook up a whole spread, celebrate at home, and..."
Before she could finish, Victor cut in.
"Help out? You've never cooked in your life. Just relax and wait for your meal," he said.
He might've been poking fun at her, but one could hear the fondness in his tone.
My gaze went cold as I stared at Melissa, pretending to be all sweet and innocent.
"Celebrate what?" I asked. "Are we celebrating how you knew you were the side chick and still managed to steal my man without breaking a sweat?"
Melissa's smile froze.
I turned to Victor, whose expression suddenly turned grim.
"Congrats on your happily ever after, ex-boyfriend," I said.
Inside, a storm was raging, but I kept it together. My voice simply turned cold.
"Why are you making a scene?" Victor's face was stone cold, his eyes full of disbelief at my reaction.
Victor reached out, trying to put a reassuring hand on my arm.
My phone rang. I turned away to answer it and walked out, stepping aside without thinking to avoid his touch.
Melissa's syrupy, insincere voice drifted over from behind me.
"Victor, Jillian's upset. What do we do now?" she asked.
Victor sounded totally unconcerned. "She's just having a little tantrum. She'll calm down soon.
"You sit here for a bit. I'll go have a word with her."
As Victor was about to follow me out, Melissa suddenly grabbed her stomach and let out a cry of pain.
That move worked. Victor immediately turned back to her.
Honestly, even if he ran after me, it wouldn't have made a damn bit of difference.
I just couldn't believe five years together could fall apart so fast.
Melissa had only been back for two weeks, and now was married to Victor.
I had gone to war with my family, turned down a childhood engagement for Victor. What a joke I was.
After hanging up the work call, I got a message from my mom.
Mom: [I give in, okay? Since you got married, we have to throw a wedding. I'll take care of everything.
[After all, I'm your mom. Guess I'm stuck cleaning up after you.]
All the tension in my chest melted away. My eyes stung, and tears dropped onto my phone screen.
Mom had always been dead set against me marrying Victor. She even told me straight up that she and Dad wouldn't come to my wedding, no matter what.
I shot back then, "No matter what, Victor and I are getting our marriage license on May 20th. We'll travel after instead of holding a big wedding."
She was so pissed, she stopped talking to me.
Today was May 20th.
She caved in the end.
Her compromise hit me right in the chest.
Mom was the only one who ever loved me, and she did it with all her heart.
I sniffled, wiped my nose, and sent her a quick text.
Me: [I broke up with Victor. We're not getting back together. Mom, you were right. He's not reliable.]
As soon as she got my message, Mom came over and brought me home, all smiles.
She cooked up a whole feast to celebrate me being free again.
The pain of being betrayed started to melt away, thanks to the warmth and love of my family.
That night, Victor called, but I didn't pick up.
He texted: [Melissa's stomach's acting up. I won't be coming home tonight. Gotta stay and look after her.
[We've been together since we were children. She may not be blood, but she's closer than any family.]