Chapter 2
I didn't have time to dodge—the wine hit me square in the face, soaking my clothes.
Wine and ruined makeup dripped down, stinging my eyes.
Someone in the corner snickered.
"Serves her right! She brought this on herself. She really thinks she's something."
"Ryan always defends Sophie. The second she cries, all hell breaks loose."
Sophie wiped her tears, giggling, her voice turning all coy and teasing. "Oh stop. You're making me sound like some femme fatale pulling his strings."
She turned to me. "Natalie, you look like you're being led to the gallows—hair everywhere, makeup destroyed."
The whole room erupted in laughter.
Instinctively, I looked over at Ryan.
He and Sophie were cracking up, and his hand was cradling the back of her head, protecting her.
Right then, it hit me—this guy wasn't worth it.
I picked up my wine glass and threw it in his face. "Ryan, we're done!"
Before he could react, I slammed the door and left.
"Natalie, are you out of your mind?" Ryan yelled.
His shout was drowned out by mocking laughter from inside.
"This was supposed to be Sophie's welcome party, and the proposal was just a little extra. She really thinks she's the star here."
"Acting like Sophie's the enemy all night. Like, hello? If Sophie hadn't gone overseas, she and Ryan would probably have a kid by now."
"Now she's jealous and threatening to break up. Ryan, aren't you going after her?"
Ryan sneered, his tone full of contempt. "What's the rush? She's obsessed with me. Three years ago, she took a hit for me at a party—got drugged by a client and nearly assaulted. She's completely hooked.
"Her reputation's shot in our circles. Who else would even want her besides me?"
"Wait, seriously?" Sophie's voice was thick with emotion. "So you're only marrying her out of pity?"
Ryan paused for a few seconds. "Why else would I?"
"But," he suddenly shifted, "if some sweet childhood friend gave me the green light, I'd dump Natalie right now."
Sophie chuckled, her tone half-serious, half-teasing. "Stop it. My dear childhood friend, you're getting married in three days!"
Ryan's voice dripped with tease. "Just say the word, and I'll call it off."
He sounded like he was joking, but he was testing the waters.
He actually meant it—he'd really marry Sophie instead.
I stumbled back to my car, numb. The absurdity of it all almost made me laugh.
Five years ago, we met at Fashion Week. He told me I was like a beam of light that suddenly brightened his world.
Three years ago, I got drugged. Photos of me disheveled and disoriented spread everywhere online.
He knelt in front of me, eyes red, gripping my hand, swearing he'd marry me and take care of me forever.
And it was all out of pity?
My head was spinning. I pulled out a cigarette I hadn't touched in years, hands shaking as I lit it.
I'd barely taken a drag when my mom called. "Who made your wedding invitations? They got your name wrong!
"The groom is Ryan, and the bride is Sophie Lane! Are you kidding me?
"Now what? Relatives are asking who Sophie is—some think she's my secret love child!"
I froze in shock.
Ryan handled the invitations himself—never let me see them.
He'd barely put effort into the wedding planning. Even for our photos, he showed up for ten minutes; the rest were AI-generated.
He said he'd design the invitations himself to make it up to me. I was actually touched—thought he was finally taking it seriously.
I never imagined he'd be so checked out that he'd list Sophie as the bride.
I couldn't stop shaking, a bitter laugh escaping. "Mom, could you have them reprinted? Keep the date and venue the same."
I paused. "For the groom... just pick anyone from those arranged marriage candidates."