Chapter 1

As our wedding date approached, James, Matteo's oldest friend from boarding school, insisted on throwing him a bachelor party.

In our social circle, Matteo's devotion to me was legendary. When I wasn't around, he'd unfailingly head home early, his friends' protests falling on deaf ears. It was just who he was – unapologetically committed.

Perhaps that's why they made a point of including me this time. But from the moment I stepped into the private room of that upscale restaurant, something felt off. The warmth in everyone's greetings couldn't mask their meaningful glances at Matteo.

I was still trying to decode the atmosphere when she walked in.

She arrived fashionably late – tall, graceful, with an effortlessly chic bob cut that probably cost more than my monthly rent.

"Traffic was absolute murder!" Her voice carried that particular blend of confidence and charm that comes from old money and elite education.

I felt Matteo freeze beside me. In that moment, I witnessed something I'd never seen before – the exact instant someone's world tilts on its axis.

She extended her hand with practiced elegance. "You must be the bride-to-be! I'm Sage Morrison."

The name hit me with the force of revelation. Everything crystallized.

This was her – the girl who'd dominated five years of Matteo's life at Yale. Back then, he'd been different – more reckless, more passionate. The stories were legendary: midnight serenades beneath her dorm window, grand romantic gestures that made the university paper. He'd turned their love story into campus folklore.

Until three years ago, when she chose to follow her new boyfriend to Oxford for graduate studies.

I met Matteo in the aftermath. At a charity gala, through the soft glow of vintage chandeliers, he appeared like a figure from a classic novel. Two glasses of champagne had left me light-headed, or maybe it was just him. My friends practically shoved me in his direction, and I managed to make a complete fool of myself.

"I'm Aurora Pierce... and you are?"

The ensuing laughter might have been mortifying if not for the way his perpetual seriousness melted into genuine amusement.

What followed were three years of pure devotion. He memorized every detail about me – from my coffee order to my obscure childhood fears. He'd wait up for me during late nights at the firm, surprise me with thoughtful gestures that showed he actually listened. He introduced me to his world with pride, never hesitating to show us off.

His friends would joke about it: "Talk about divine timing, Aurora. Matteo learned all his romantic skills the hard way, and you get to enjoy the masterclass."

Those comments never stung because everyone noted how different Sage and I were. I wasn't filling anyone's shoes – I was walking my own path.

Besides, Matteo's love felt real, tangible. After three years, his proposal seemed like the natural next step in our story.

I thought we were writing our own perfect ending.

Then reality decided to rewrite the script.

Chapter 2

Sage gracefully took the seat beside me, reaching into her designer bag to pull out a perfume bottle.

"A wedding gift," she said with a warm smile. "It's Jo Malone - been my signature scent for years. Absolutely divine."

I had to admit, she was perfectly poised and genuinely charming. Even her choice of gift was thoughtfully directed to me, not Matteo.

After I thanked her, she pulled out her phone to exchange contact information.

"If he ever gives you trouble, call me," she winked. "I may have known Matteo since prep school, but I'm team bride all the way!"

The group applauded her declaration.

"Classic Sage, always the queen!" someone called out.

She paused, looking past me to Matteo. "Hey you, what's with the silent treatment? Three years and you've forgotten how to talk?"

The room buzzed with anticipation, everyone pretending to be occupied with their drinks while watching us intently.

Matteo's ears had turned crimson. He couldn't even look at her, instead staring into his whiskey glass. "Just out of practice – don't know what to say to you anymore."

"Blaming me for losing touch?" She raised her glass. "Let's fix that, shall we?"

Matteo glanced at me nervously. "I'm under strict orders now – all communications need spousal approval first."

They clinked glasses, sharing what appeared to be an amicable laugh. Everything seemed above board, perfectly innocent.

Yet sitting between them, I felt a knot forming in my stomach. After three years together, I could read Matteo's body language like a book. Tonight, he was on edge.

As the evening progressed through drinks, karaoke, and party games, everyone got progressively tipsier. During a round of Truth or Dare, Matteo lost to Sage and chose Truth.

That's when Sage, her polish slightly softened by champagne, tilted her head and asked with disarming directness:

"If I objected at your wedding, would you run away with me?"

The room erupted.

"Finally! The elephant in the room!" "Now we're getting somewhere!" "Come on, would you do it?"

Matteo's eyes were alcohol-bright. He looked at her, emotions churning beneath the surface, and answered with devastating honesty:

"Yes."

The room exploded in chaos.

"I knew it!" "Wedding crasher alert!"

As cheers and whistles filled the room, I sat there between them, struggling to breathe, my hands trembling.

I fled to the restroom and, fighting back tears, texted my best friend:

[Can you get me out of here ASAP?]

She called immediately.

"What happened? Did someone hurt you?"

"Just... can you come get me? Please?" My voice was breaking.

"Say no more. Seven minutes. I'm already in the car."

"Drive carefully, it's not that—"

"Don't you dare tell me to slow down. I'm coming to get you whether you like it or not!"

Chapter 3

Seven minutes later, Sloane's Bugatti screeched to a halt outside, tires smoking against the pavement. The moment I saw her, my composure crumbled, tears welling up.

Sloane grabbed my hand, barely containing her fury. "What did you people do to her? And Matteo, are you actually brain-dead? Can't you see she's devastated?"

Being the daughter of a billionaire tech mogul, Sloane carried herself with an authority that immediately commanded the room's attention. Her eyes narrowed dangerously when they landed on Sage.

"Well, well. Look who's here."

Sage stood up, trying to diffuse the situation with a friendly smile. "We were just playing party games. Someone's a bit sensitive, aren't they? I'm used to more... resilient personalities. My bad if I crossed a line."

Sloane yanked me behind her protectively. "Keep your hands off her. And drop the innocent act – you know exactly what you're doing."

Matteo had suddenly sobered up. Running his hands through his hair, he stood. "Aurora's tired. I should take her home."

"Oh, now you're concerned?" Sloane's laugh was glacial. "Stay in your lane. You've done enough damage for one night."

The room fell silent as Sloane helped gather my things, her sharp tongue working overtime.

"I've always told you – someone with your grace should be with old money, not these nouveau riche climbers. Their social circle is all smoke and mirrors, darling. You're too genuine for their games."

The irony of calling Matteo's billion-dollar family "nouveau riche" wasn't lost on anyone, but nobody dared challenge Sloane's assessment.

While collecting my belongings, she spotted the designer perfume. Without hesitation, she tossed it aside. "How pedestrian. At least pretend to have taste."

The bottle rolled to Sage's feet, her perfect composure finally cracking.

As Sloane led me out, Matteo caught up at the entrance. "Aurora, please. The atmosphere, her question – my mind just went blank."

Looking into his earnest eyes, I felt utterly drained.

"So what you're saying is... your instinctive response was to choose her?"

"Of course not. It was just a game. Saying no would have humiliated her in front of everyone."

"So you protected her dignity by crushing mine?"

"I gave her a polite answer. I'm giving you a marriage."

I pulled away, laughing bitterly. "What a bargain."

Sloane pulled up, laying on the horn.

Matteo reached for me again. "Let me drive you home. We need to talk."

Sloane rolled her eyes. "If you're that desperate for a drive, why not try Uber? Might help clear your head."

Matteo flinched. His luxury car suddenly felt inadequate in the face of old money's casual disdain.

I slid into Sloane's car, turning back to Matteo one last time.

"The wedding's off. I think we both need to reevaluate our priorities."