1 When it came time to exchange rings, my best friend Cynthia walked up the aisle wearing a stunning white bridal gown, a sweet smile playing on her lips. Right in front of a room packed with guests, my fiance, Carter, slid my wedding ring onto her ring finger. My eyes burned as I demanded an explanation. The two of them looked at each other and burst out laughing at the exact same time. Cynthia laughed so hard she had to bend over. “Grace, Carter and I made a bet last night.” “He said you would definitely notice before the ceremony that the welcome sign had our photo instead of yours.” “I told him you trusted us way too much to ever check.” She flashed the diamond ring on her hand. “Now Carter lost the bet.” “And according to our deal, this entire wedding belongs to me.” Carter wrapped an arm around her waist, his tone entirely casual. “It is just letting Cynthia be the bride for a single day.” “The dress, venue, and schedule are already paid for anyway, so it would be a total waste not to use them.” “We can just hold another wedding for you next month, so do not be such a killjoy.” They had always loved using me as a bargaining chip in their little games. During our engagement, Carter lost a bet, so the engagement ring was placed on Cynthia’s finger first. When we took our wedding photos, he lost another bet, and ended up shooting the winter snow set I had dreamed about for years alongside Cynthia instead. Even the master bedroom in our new home had been decorated according to Cynthia’s taste all because of a lost wager. Every time I felt hurt, they would brush it off with a laugh, asking why I was taking a silly bet so seriously. Only today did the bitter truth finally hit me. To them, my wedding, my love, and my entire life were nothing more than cheap tokens they could toss onto a gambling table whenever they pleased. I looked at Carter, a sudden sense of detachment washing over me. When I spoke, my voice was eerily calm. “Since you are giving her the wedding, you might as well go with her.” I turned around, ready to walk away. Carter reached out and grabbed my wrist firmly. “Grace, that is enough.” “All our family and friends are right here. Do you really have to throw a tantrum and make a scene in front of everyone?” I ripped my arm out of his grip. “Am I the one making a scene?” “Today was supposed to be my wedding!” Carter scowled, his patience clearly wearing thin. “I already told you, Cynthia is just experiencing it for one day.” “After today, nothing between us changes.” “Are you really going to break up over a meaningless ceremony?” He paused, a mocking smirk appearing on his face as if he just remembered something. “You said you were done with us last month too.” “In the end, didn’t you turn around and buy Cynthia a birthday cake yourself?” Cynthia giggled softly beside him. “Grace, every time you lose your temper, you threaten to cut us off.” “And within two days, you always come crawling back.” She twirled the ring on her finger, giving me a knowing look. “This time, I bet two days.” “Carter, do you dare to bet against me?” Carter looked down at her. “What are the stakes?” “Just bet on how long it takes for Grace to come running back.” “If she begs for your forgiveness within two days, you give me the vanity table in the master bedroom.” Carter did not hesitate for a second. “Deal.” “She will not even last a day.” Right in front of my face, the two of them started betting on me yet again. It was as if my declaration of breaking up was just another entertaining round in their favorite game. I looked Carter dead in the eye. “You are so sure I will come back?” Carter kept his voice light and confident. “We have been together for six years.” “You spent an entire year planning this wedding just to marry me.” “You personally booked the hall, picked the dress, and invited every guest.” “Grace, could you really bear to walk away from me?” He knew the old me far too well. That was why he dared to push my boundaries time and after time. Because no matter who won or lost their little wagers, I was always the one left behind to pick up the broken pieces. When Cynthia ruined my engagement dress, I was the one who reordered a new one. When she tore up a photo of Carter and me, I was the one who smiled and said it did not matter. Even when she redecorated our home to fit her style, I ended up apologizing to Carter for arguing over furniture. It was not that they did not know I would be hurt. They were simply certain that I would never leave. A young man from the audience stepped up, offering a casual smile. “Come on, sis, do not take it so seriously.” “Carter and Cynthia have similar personalities, they are just playing around like they always do.” “Besides, Cynthia is anti marriage, so she is never getting married for real.” “Letting her experience a wedding once is just helping her fulfill a dream.” “Calling off a marriage over something so small makes you look a bit petty.” One voice followed another. Everyone in the room was urging me to be generous. Not a single person asked if I was actually willing to give away my own wedding. Carter’s mother walked up from the main table, taking Cynthia’s hands into hers with a look of utter satisfaction. “You know, this ring looks much better on Cynthia than it ever did on Grace.” Cynthia acted sweet, leaning in close. “Auntie, please do not say that.” “Grace will be heartbroken if she hears you.” Mrs. Prescott scoffed, glancing sideways at me. “She is about to enter the Prescott family. If she cannot handle a little joke, how is she supposed to be my daughter in law?” She patted Cynthia’s hand affectionately. “Honestly, I have always preferred you.” “You are lively and know how to make people happy.” “Unlike some people who have to fight over every little detail and ruin the mood over nothing.” Mr. Prescott approached with a champagne glass in hand. “Since Carter lost the bet, he should honor it.” “A man must keep his word.” “Throwing another ceremony for Grace next month is no big deal.” I turned my gaze to him. “So in your eyes, a wedding can just be handed out to whoever?” Mr. Prescott frowned in displeasure. “It is merely a ceremony.” “As long as Carter is willing to marry you in the end, what else could you possibly complain about?” “And to be completely frank.” “If Cynthia were not against marriage, we would much rather have Carter marry her.” The entire hall fell dead silent. Carter finally noticed the coldness in my eyes. He cut his father off with a frown. “Dad, why are you bringing that up today?” He turned to me, his tone softer. “My parents just like Cynthia because she is bubbly.” “Do not take everything so personally.” I suddenly let out a faint laugh. As long as the words hurt me, they could always be brushed off as a harmless joke. Cynthia wrapped her arm tightly around Carter’s. “Alright, let us not fight on my account.” “Grace, since you said you are giving the wedding to me, just let me finish the rest of the schedule.” She glanced at my white gown, smiling sweetly. “After all, you get to have another one next month anyway.” I did not bother arguing anymore. I simply pulled out my phone and dialed the venue manager. “The bride for today’s wedding has been changed unexpectedly.” “I refuse to pay the remaining balance.” The phone went silent for a few seconds. The manager spoke with hesitation. “Miss Shen, didn’t you know?” “A month ago, Mr. Prescott came over with Miss Tang and modified the contract.” “The bride’s name on the official paperwork was changed to Miss Tang weeks ago.” My hand gripped the phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. “A month ago?” “Yes.” “Miss Tang personally confirmed the banquet menu and stage decorations.” “Mr. Prescott assured us that all changes were approved by you.” I raised my head to look at the couple standing on stage. So this so called bet made last night was something they had carefully orchestrated a whole month ago. I forced down the tremor in my voice and continued asking. “What about the final payment?” The manager replied swiftly. “It was cleared last night.” “Mr. Prescott transferred six hundred and eighty thousand dollars from your joint wedding account.” I snapped open my mobile banking app. The balance read three dollars and seventy cents. That six hundred and eighty thousand dollars represented every single cent I had saved over five years of hard work. I had planned to use whatever remained after the wedding to launch my own interior design studio. Carter noticed my screen and finally walked over. “The money is already spent, and canceling now will not get you a refund.” I stared at him, my gaze burning with quiet fury. “Who gave you permission to touch my money without asking me?” Carter answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “That money was set aside for a wedding anyway.” “The wedding is happening as planned, so the money was not wasted.” Cynthia leaned against his shoulder, gently twisting the diamond ring on her finger. “Grace, didn’t you just say you were gifting me the wedding?” “Since it is a gift, the costs are obviously included.” Watching them play off each other, the rage inside me suddenly evaporated into nothingness. They did not just treat my wedding as a cheap game. They emptied my life savings just so Cynthia could play the glowing bride with my fiance. The moment I stepped off the stage, my mother pushed through the crowd and grabbed my hand tightly. “Sweetheart, what is going on?” My parents had been sitting at the table closest to the exit. They were the only relatives from my side who attended. My relatives back home had all wanted to come, but Mrs. Prescott claimed small town people lacked manners and would embarrass their family. Carter had agreed, telling me we could just host a casual dinner in my hometown later instead of bringing a crowd. So my parents had taken a grueling fifteen hour train ride alone to see their daughter get married. My mother wore a simple dress that did not quite fit, her own hand stitching visible where she had taken in the waist. My father wore a corsage labeled Father of the Bride that had been crushed in the crowd, yet he refused to take it off. Until they saw Cynthia wearing my gown and my ring. My father walked right up to Carter. “Take off that ring and apologize to my daughter.” Carter’s expression darkened slightly. “Sir, it is just a game.” “Cynthia is just standing in for Grace today. After this, I am still going to register our marriage.” My father froze for a moment. “You are having a wedding with her, but making my daughter sign a piece of paper in secret?” “What does that make my daughter?” Carter knit his brows in annoyance. “We always joke around like this. Grace never cared before.” My mother trembled with rage. “Just because she was patient does not mean you get to walk all over her!” In her panic, her local accent slipped out, her voice rising in pitch. Mrs. Prescott immediately scowled. “Lower your voice, please.” “This is not a farmers market back in your village.” “The guests here today are all high profile clients of our family business. Shouting like that makes us all look like a joke!” Quiet murmurs circulated through the surrounding tables. “Uncultured country folks, honestly.” My mother’s face turned bright red. She had only stepped forward to stand up for her child, but now she nervously pulled her hands back, her voice dropping into a ashamed whisper. “I am not trying to make a scene.” “I just care about my daughter.” A sharp sting hit the back of my eyes. She had done absolutely nothing wrong, yet she felt forced to explain herself to the people insulting her. Carter interrupted impatiently. “Today’s venue goes to Cynthia.” “Next month, I will come to your hometown and throw a casual reception.” “All your local relatives can come then, which is more than enough respect for Grace.” My father slowly lifted his head. “Give her a million dollar wedding here, and toss my daughter a few cheap tables in the countryside to brush her off?” Carter’s face looked sour. “I already promised a makeup event. What more could you possibly want?” Cynthia held up her heavy dress train and walked over, reaching out affectionately to grab my mother’s arm. “Auntie, a wedding is just a venue, isn’t it all the same?” “It was not easy for you two to travel all this way.” She pointed to a corner stacked with gift boxes. “Take a few extra boxes of wedding favors home later to share with your neighbors, so the trip is not a total waste.” My mother yanked her hand back as if she had been burned. My father snatched the red corsage off his chest and slammed it heavily onto the table. “My family may be poor.” “But we are not so broke that we need to trade our daughter’s dignity for a few boxes of candy!” Cynthia’s eyes immediately welled up with tears. “Sir, I was only trying to be nice.” Carter stepped in front of her without a second thought. “Enough.” “Cynthia was being thoughtful. Do not be so ungrateful.” My father stared at him quietly. “When you knelt in front of us years ago, you swore you would never let Grace suffer a single tear.” Carter shifted his gaze away, unable to meet my father’s eyes. My father asked no more questions. He turned around, gently wiping away the tears on my cheeks, his voice sounding years older in an instant. “Grace, your dad was wrong about him.” “We are not doing this marriage. Mom and Dad are taking you home.” My tears finally overflowed. A room full of wealthy guests had been pressuring me to endure the disrespect. Only my parents, who had been humiliated and looked down upon, stood firmly in front of me to block the storm. I pulled off my veil and held one of their hands in each of mine. “Okay.” “Let us go home.” Behind us, Carter suddenly let out a cold laugh. “Since she insists on walking out, let us make another bet.” Cynthia instantly perked up. “I bet Grace will not last three days before bringing her parents back to apologize to you.” Carter stared at my retreating back, his tone absolute. “She will not even need three days.” “By this afternoon, she will soften up and beg me to sign the marriage license.” Cynthia giggled. “And what are the stakes?” “If she does not apologize to me today, the apartment on the south side is yours.” “Deal.” Their laughter echoed from behind. Even at this very moment, they still viewed my departure as nothing more than a laughable wager. I did not look back. As we walked out of the venue, my father asked softly, “Sweetheart, do you really not regret this?” I looked at the welcome sign displaying Carter and Cynthia standing side by side. Then I squeezed my parents’ hands tightly. “My only regret is not seeing through them sooner.” Not only that, I was about to give Carter a grand gift of his own. Since he loved betting so much, I wanted to see if he could afford to lose this time. At three in the afternoon, a reminder popped up on my phone. Your appointment for marriage registration is scheduled for today at 4:20 PM. Please bring valid identification and arrive on time. Immediately after, Carter sent a screenshot of the appointment confirmation. “I am giving you an way out.” “Show up at the courthouse before four, and I will overlook the scene you caused today. We can register the marriage as planned.” A voice message from Carter followed right after. “Though before we sign, you must apologize to my parents.” “And to Cynthia too.” “She was humiliated publicly by you and your parents today and has been crying for hours.” “As long as you sincerely admit your mistake, we can put this behind us.” I calmly typed back two words. “Sounds good.” The group chat went silent for a second. Soon, Carter tagged Cynthia in the group. “I won.” Cynthia sent a reluctant emoji. “A deal is a deal.” “When you guys go on your honeymoon, I am coming along.” Carter promptly posted a screenshot of a newly booked flight ticket. “Ticket is already booked for you.” It turned out that even the honeymoon I had looked forward to for months had been handed out as a prize on their gambling table. At four fifteen, I arrived at the courthouse right on schedule. Carter was standing outside the main entrance. Seeing me walk up, the tension on his face finally relaxed into a smug smile. “Good to see you came to your senses.” “My parents and Cynthia are waiting back at the hotel.” “Once we sign the papers, I will take you back there to apologize.” He reached his hand out toward me. “Hand over your ID.” I did not move an inch. The next second, two police officers in uniform stepped out from behind me. “Mr. Carter Prescott?” “We received a report accusing you of unauthorized access to a private account and transferring six hundred and eighty thousand dollars without permission.” The smile on Carter’s face froze instantly. “What unauthorized access?” “That was our joint wedding fund!” I pulled out the bank statements and the venue contract. “The account is registered under my name alone, and every single dollar came from my personal income.” “You stole my payment password while I was asleep and impersonated me to authorize the payment to the venue.” “The hotel surveillance footage, transfer records, and chat evidence have all been handed over to the police.” An officer stepped forward, snapping silver handcuffs around his wrists. Carter finally panicked. “Grace! Didn’t you come here to sign the marriage license with me?” I looked at his pale face, offering a subtle, calm smile. “No.” “I came to send you to jail.”
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