The Fiancée Who Ruined Our Wedding Herself

The day of my wedding, I made a last-minute decision: I was choosing a new bride.
It was all because my fiance, Rina Anistons, childhood sweetheart had been diagnosed with cancer. His one dying wish was to marry her.
Five years later, I returned to the country for Old Man Anistons eightieth birthday.
During the banquet, I twisted my ankle. Rina immediately knelt to inspect the injury. The sight sent whispers rippling through the crowd, dredging up the old scandal.
What is she doing? Wasnt she the one who ruined their wedding by flashing a marriage certificate with another man, demanding they postpone for a year?
Thats right. I remember Matt Cross set their wedding portrait on fire right there, tore off his tuxedo, and left the country. It was an absolute mess.
But now, back in this city, Old Man Aniston grasped my hand.
Youre the only son-in-law Ive ever wanted, he said. Rina has never forgotten you all these years.
He leaned in closer. She said if youre willing, shell divorce him and marry you right now. Shell give you a wedding grander than anything you could have imagined back then.
Too bad for them. My kids already old enough to talk back to me.

1.
So, Matt, what do you think?
Old Man Aniston sat at the head of the table, dressed in a custom-tailored suit. His expression was benevolent, but it couldn't hide the calculating glint in his eyes.
A sudden hush fell over the room. All eyes turned to our table, hungry for the drama about to unfold.
I took a slow sip of wine, my gaze lowered to hide the cold indifference in my eyes.
For Rina to do what she did on our wedding day, and now to talk about marrying me again the audacity was breathtaking. But her grandfather was an elder, and it was his birthday. I had no desire to make a scene.
When I looked up, my smile was a mask of polite distance.
I appreciate the thought, Mr. Aniston, but Im afraid Im not so fortunate. I could never be worthy of someone like Miss Aniston.
The ballroom erupted in a cacophony of murmurs.
Did Matt Cross just refuse her? I thought he would marry no one but Rina Aniston!
Twenty years of their lives tied together by an engagement, and hes just letting her go?
It was true. Rina and I had been engaged since we were children, a twenty-year story of two kids growing up side-by-side. Id started calling her my wife when I was three. I spent more time with her than with my own parents.
Id give her my only piece of candy. Id save up my allowance to buy her pretty dresses. I was the one who, blushing furiously, bought her first box of tampons when she got her period.
The year my love for her burned brightest, I drove across half of Seacrest City at two in the morning, all because shed whispered that she was craving a cupcake.
She used to say I was her husband, and spoiling her was my sacred duty.
And I treated it like my mission in life.
Back then, I believed love was a lifetime promise. No matter how ruthless I was in the boardroom, with her, I was always the gentle, attentive husband who put her first.
Until one week before the wedding, when Liam Vance came back.
He was the son of Rinas beloved mentor. Hed been abroad for years and only rushed home when he heard she was getting married. At first, out of respect for his late father, both Rina and I were nothing but courteous to him.
But then, slowly, she started caring more and more about Liams affairs. She even started canceling our dates to spend time with him.
The day we were supposed to shoot our engagement photos, I waited an hour for her. I called her a dozen times, only to get a curt, one-word text: Busy.
Minutes later, I saw it on her Instagram: a photo of her and Liam, smiling together. When I opened the comments, my blood ran cold. Her friends were calling him brother-in-law. They were joking and laughing as if they were the ones about to be married.
I couldnt take it anymore. I video-called her.
But it wasnt Rina who answered. It was Liam.
Through the blurry screen, I saw with dawning horror that they were in a bridal shop. And Rina was wearing a magnificent wedding gown.
My voice turned to ice. What the hell are you two doing?
Rina finally looked up from the dress, startled. There wasn't a trace of guilt on her face, only a flicker of annoyance. Didnt I tell you I was busy?
Your busy is trying on wedding dresses with Liam? The question came out laced with a pain I couldnt hide. For all my strength and resolve, the sight of them shattered something inside me.
Her expression stiffened for a second, and she avoided my gaze. Youre so controlling, Matt, she muttered. You never even let me explain.
Liam was bored all alone at home, so I brought him with me to help pick out my dress. I just wanted it to be a surprise for you.
For a moment, I was lost. Her excuse was flimsy, pathetic even, but a seed of doubt took root in my mind. Was I really that overbearing? Others had said it before, but as the heir to the Cross family and CEO of our corporation, Id never felt the need to apologize for who I was.
But this was Rina. Her words cut deep.
Maybe she saw the uncertainty on my face, because a flicker of sympathy crossed her features. She softened her tone, trying to soothe me. Matt, Im sorry. That was my fault. I shouldnt have said that.
Im just not feeling well.
My hand clenched into a fist. Rina, does being with me make you uncomfortable?
She offered a reassuring smile and apologized again. I misspoke. Please dont be angry with me, Matt. Please?
Seeing her gentle, patient demeanor, just like always, my heart began to settle. The old confidence returned to my voice.
If you ever dare to do anything to betray me, I warned, my tone sharp, I swear I will not let you off easy.
Hmph. Trying to do something nice and I get threatened for it. Someones a real tyrant, isnt he?
Her playful jab made my face flush with irritation. I shot her a look that could have cut glass.
Before she could say more, the phone suddenly jolted, followed by a loud bang from the other end.
A panicked voice stammered, Im sorry! Im so, so sorry, I didnt mean it! Mr. Cross, please dont be angry. It was my fault, I insisted on coming with her. Please dont blame Rina

2.
The screen went black. I stared at it, momentarily stunned.
Was I really that terrifying? Id scared Liam so badly hed dropped the phone.
The phone must have landed some distance away, because I could faintly hear Rinas voice, soft and low as she comforted him. It was a tone gentler than any shed ever used with me.
The next time I visited the Aniston family, Rinas mother greeted me with a look of disapproval.
Liam is young, she said coolly. If he does something wrong, you should be more accommodating. Dont hold it against him.
Rina quickly chimed in. Matt, Liam is my mentors son. Now that shes gone, hes all alone in the world. Its our duty to take care of him.
That strange, unsettling feeling washed over me again. But Rinas tone was so earnest, and Liams position was delicate. I nodded.
A smile lit up her face. She reached out and smoothed a wrinkle on my suit jacket. I was wrong about you. The great Matt Cross isnt so unreasonable after all!
Her playful intimacy quieted the unease in my gut. I handed her a thick folder containing stock certificates and property deeds. I didn't know what other fiancs gave as pre-wedding gifts, but for me, my company, my shares, my assetsthey were the most important things I had. And I wanted to share them with the person I loved most.
Her eyes gleamed with excitement. She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.
Matt Cross, I love you!
Her sudden affection made me blush. I love you, too, I mumbled back.
But I didn't know then that her love was a fireworkdazzling, brief, and never meant for just one person.
While I was drowning in wedding preparations, her affection began to drift, to tilt in another direction.
Her social media became a gallery of her and Liam.
April 16th, morning: they were feeding pigeons in Central Square.
April 17th, evening: they were releasing flower lanterns under the old Phoenix Bridge.

Soon, the rumors started. Whispers that Rina had fallen for Liam, that she was going to call off our engagement.
Uneasy, I went to confront her about it.
Before I even stepped through the door, I heard Liams apologetic voice.
Im so sorry, Rina. I was just in a bad mood and wanted you to keep me company. I never thought it would start rumors like this.
His voice was choked with guilt and self-reproach. When he saw my grim expression, his eyes reddened with fear.
I had no choice but to let it go. We were getting married in a few days. The rumors would die on their own.
But the day before the wedding, I received a text from Liam.
Mr. Cross, I bet you dont know. Rina has already decided to marry me. Im her lawful husband now.
A domineering, unreasonable man like you? No woman could ever truly love you.
At the same time, he posted a photo of himself and Rina in a hotel room. The caption read: Looks like the childhood sweetheart couldn't compete. We found our way back to each other in the end.

3.
In the photo, her skin was pale against the rumpled sheets, her hair a mess, her body sinking into the soft bed like a perfectly carved Greek statue, igniting the darkest corners of the imagination.
I fought down the rising tide of nausea and dialed her number.
She answered quickly, her voice slightly hoarse. Matt, whats wrong?
I sent her screenshots of the post and the text messages. Then I waited, the silence on the line stretching into an eternity.
The phones microphone was sensitive. I heard her breath catch. A long, heavy silence followed. Finally, she spoke.
Matt, those pictures are fake. Dont you trust me?
Her voice dropped. Besides, Liam is so kind. He would never say things like that. Matt, are you sure youre not mistaken?
My heart plummeted. I couldnt believe what I was hearing. Twenty years of history, the ironclad proof in the screenshots, and her first instinct was to defend him. Was it that she didnt believe me, or was she desperately trying to hide something?
The anxiety Id been feeling crested into a tidal wave. Something was terribly wrong. Before I could process it, a warm body pressed against my back. It was Rina. Shed rushed over.
She wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight, and leaned in to kiss me.
Matt, please believe me. I love you so much. I would never let you get hurt.
Her voice was a desperate whisper. Were getting married tomorrow. Please, dont overthink this.
As for Liam hes my mentors son, and now that hes I just feel obligated to look after him. You can understand that, cant you?
She buried her face in my neck, showing a rare vulnerability, like a cat seeking a safe harbor.
I stroked her back, my mind a warzone of conflicting emotions. Finally, I gave in.
As long as you havent betrayed me, I promised softly, I will always trust you. And I will always love you.
Her body went rigid. She didnt reply as she always had. She just stayed silent, hidden against my neck.
I never got her answer that day. I went home alone, my heart filled with a gnawing dread.
The next morning, I arrived early to pick up my bride.
I waited in the limousine at the foot of her building for what felt like an eternity, but Rina never appeared.
My calls went straight to voicemail. My messages went unanswered. Every unanswered ring, every unread text, screamed that my worst fears were coming true.
But how could they? This was Rina, my childhood best friend, the love of my life for twenty years.
Clinging to a final, desperate sliver of hope, I went up to her apartment. The scene that greeted me was a nightmare. Rina, in her wedding dress, standing next to Liam.
She couldn't meet my eyes. Matt, she mumbled, her voice cracking, can we postpone the wedding? Just for a year?
Before the words had even settled, Liam began to sob dramatically.
Mr. Cross, I dont have much time left. Marrying Rina is my only dream. Please, just grant me this one wish!
I stared at the grotesque tableau before me, tears streaming silently down my face.
Rina, I asked, my voice barely a whisper, are you really going to marry him?
Her head bowed lower, her voice trembling uncontrollably. Matt, just give me one year. After a year, I swear Ill give you a wedding even grander than this one.
It was the height of summer, but a chill colder than any winter seized me.
Growing up together, inseparable does none of that mean anything to you anymore? The promises, the vows of love was it all just a lie?
My questions werent an attack. They were a eulogy, delivered with a dead, hollow finality.
Her silence was its own answer.
I closed my eyes, ready to turn and walk away. But as I did, Liam grabbed my sleeve.
Mr. Cross, this is all my fault. Please dont blame Rina.
I shot him a venomous glare. Before I could speak, Rina jumped to his defense.
Matt, dont you dare touch him.
In a blind rage, I ripped my arm away from Liam. He cried out, and something fluttered from his sleeve, landing on the floor.
I instinctively glanced down. The sight of the bright red marriage certificate burned my eyes. On it was a smiling photo of Rina and Liam.
The room fell silent for a heartbeat before erupting into a roar of shock and gossip that nearly tore the roof off.
Shes already married to him? Shes dragging the Cross familys name through the mud!
I heard Matt gave her a huge portion of his company shares. Hes lost everythingthe woman and the money.
My mind went blank. My hand moved faster than my thoughts. The sharp crack of my palm against her cheek echoed in the stunned silence.
You bitch, Rina.
The crowds chatter grew louder. All eyes were on Rina, waiting for her reaction.
But she remained silent. She simply pulled Liam into her arms, shielding him, and walked away without a single backward glance.
As they turned, I saw it clearly: a triumphant smirk on Liams face.
I had never been so humiliated in my entire life. Fury consumed me, a wildfire burning away all reason.
On the spot, I ordered my men to tear down the wedding decorations. I ripped off my tuxedo.
And in front of everyone, I declared that from that day forward, the Cross and Aniston families were severing all business ties.
For the next five years, I stayed abroad. I never once returned to the city that had broken my heart.
My mind snapped back to the present. I realized with a strange sense of detachment that the all-consuming love and hate of the past had faded into a distant, muted ache.
Matt, what happened back then was Rinas fault, Old Man Aniston was saying, his voice earnest. But you were childhood sweethearts, after all. A bond like that doesn't just disappear. It would be a shame to let it go to waste.

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