Chapter 1
My boyfriend asked me to be the bridesmaid for his bride.
It was right after I said, “I’d love to have your child.”
He said. “But I’m getting engaged on Sunday. Who’s going to be the father of it?”
I stood frozen. He kissed my forehead and smiled. “Be good, Marly. Pack up your things before leaving. We can’t keep doing this.
“But… since you’ve just taken the pill, we might as well do it one more time.”
It felt like my heart was being torn apart. How could he trample on our five–year relationship like this?
I called my father.
“About the arranged marriage? OK. I’ll do it.”
“Honestly, I’m getting used to having you around.
“How many years has it been since we knew each other from elementary school?”
Benson Grover, my childhood sweetheart, held me into his arms, and a chill ran down my spine.
We had known each other for sixteen years and been in bed together for cight.
Chapter 1
Five minutes ago, when he trembled in ecstasy, it felt like he wanted to merge with me completely.
I thought we were in love. Though we never said it outright, I believed we had an unspoken understanding.
To me, he was my boyfriend.
As it turned out, I was merely his friend with benefits.
I tried to swallow the pill with a sip of water, but it got stuck in my throat, leaving a bitter aftertaste.
“Wanna do it again?”
Benson gently pushed me back onto the bed.
We had put on the pink bedsheet together yesterday. He even teased, “Only old married couples do things like this.”
His words suddenly turned into a sharp knife, stabbing my heart. ruthlessly.
Meanwhile, he continued, “You’ve taken the pill already anyway. Why waste a chance?
“Let’s put a perfect end to our wild youth.”
I instinctively pressed my hand against his shoulder. “You said… you’re getting engaged?”
Overjoyed, he grabbed my wrist, his voice brimming with excitement.
“I wanted to tell you earlier, but you were too eager to get started.
“Ethel is back. She said she still wants to marry me!”
Chapter 1
Ethel Pye, the class beauty who confessed to Benson at high school graduation and got rejected.
During these years, he refused to mention her even when he was drunk.
And now they were getting engaged?
Oblivious to my silence, Benson continued to share the good news with me excitedly. “I even checked.
“Sunday is the earliest day suitable for getting engaged!
“Ethel doesn’t have many friends since she’s been abroad for years. Can you be there for her on Sunday? Drink on her behalf if needed. Oh, and be her bridesmaid at the wedding.”
As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something and took out an invitation from the nightstand.
“Ethel said I should design the wedding invitation, but I have no clue what you girls like.
“Come on, Marly. Help me pick something nice.”
was
Twenty minutes ago, he took the pill that still stuck in my throat from. this very drawer.
The pure white invitation was both low–key and elegant, with Benson and Ethel’s initials woven together like intricate embroidery. Anyone could tell it was custom–made by a high–end designer.
I realized he had long decided to get married to Ethel.
How could he prepare for his wedding while sleeping with me? A searing rage took hold of me.
“Benson, are you seriously showing me your wedding invitation while
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we’re still in bed?”
I tore the invitation into pieces.
“You’re going to get engaged. You’re going to get married. Then what the hell am I to you?”
“Marlene, are you out of your mind? Why did you tear up my invitation?”
He hurried to pick up the shredded pieces, still oblivious to the look on my face.
When he saw me getting out of bed and putting on my clothes, he grabbed my arm. “What’s with the attitude? Do you really think we can go on like this forever? Am I supposed to stay single just to keep playing around with you? I don’t even like you!”
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized he’d gone too far. His brows furrowed, and his voice lowered, “You’re my best friend, you know that. We’ve been inseparable since we were kids, sharing everything… even the same bed.”
Even as he spoke, he let go of my wrist like he had touched something filthy. His usual careless smirk returned as he tilted his head at me, deliberately teasing, “Or have you fallen for me without realizing it? Guess I’m just that irresistible.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Marlene. You’re scaring me.”
He pretended to look casual, but the flicker of panic in his eyes betrayed
him.
I smiled bitterly as I realized he was worried I’d cling to him. My eyes burned. Seeing that only made him more flustered. He turned away, his face hardening as he put on his clothes.
“Marlene, we’ve been best friends since forever. If you start crying now,
it’ll look like I bullied you.
“Don’t be so old–fashioned. Men and women are equals now. Don’t make things weird.”
After getting dressed, he turned to leave. “Ethel’s flight just landed. I’m taking her to the hotel tonight.
“Pack up your stuff, especially all that cheap, matching junk you bought. Take it with you. I don’t need any of it.”
Before closing the door, he said, “We can’t keep doing this. It’s not fair to Ethel.”
