He Reversed the Wedding Car, I Swapped the Groom

In my hometown, there's a custom: wedding cars can never go in reverse.

Otherwise, the marriage will be cursed with misfortune.

But on our wedding day, my groom Ethan Brooks reversed his entire convoy twenty kilometers just to make way for another wedding procession.

I was about to roll down the window to ask what was going on when I overheard Ethan talking to his best man.

"Going a hundred kilometers out of our way just to see Wendy off on her wedding dayyou're way too good to her."

"Aren't you afraid Mandy will lose it?"

Ethan's voice was casual, unconcerned.

"Relax. Mandy's waited ten years. No matter how mad she gets, she won't actually get out of the car and run."

"If my family wasn't pressuring me so hard, why would I have agreed to marry her so easily?"

"Wendy couldn't marry me, so escorting her to her wedding is my way of making it up to her for all these years."

Wendy is his first love.

I let out a bitter laugh.

So this is what they call a happy ending after years of hardship.

Turns out it was all just my own delusion.

I opened my chat and sent my location to someone.

"Still want to marry me? Get here fast."

Twenty-four wedding cars reversed down the winding mountain road.

Two of my bridesmaids frowned and complained.

"Mandy, we've already backed up over twenty kilometers! If we keep going, we'll be back at your front door!"

"Seriously! The road's wide enoughwe could totally squeeze past!"

My heart felt like a deflated balloon.

The bridesmaids got out of the car to argue on my behalf.

"Ethan, don't you know wedding cars aren't supposed to go in reverse?"

"Yeah, we've already backed up over twenty kilometers! How much farther do you want us to go?"

Ethan sensed the tension and strode over, leaning against my car window.

His face was so closethose trembling eyes and that faint cedarwood scent used to be my weakness.

But right now, I felt nothing.

"Mandy, just hang in there a bit longer. Once we get to the next turnoff, we'll stop reversing."

I looked at Wendy in the opposite wedding car, her face glowing with joy.

My voice came out flat.

"Whatever you want."

Ethan's smile froze. He clearly hadn't expected me to respond like that.

The groomsmen crowded around.

"Mandy, don't be mad. The road's too narrow to pass. We have to reverse."

"Yeah, and our convoy is closer to the turnoff anyway. It saves time if we're the ones to back up."

"Exactly! Mandy, don't give Ethan attitude. He's doing his best here."

I let out a cold laugh.

"Didn't we just pass two turnoffs? Why didn't you reverse onto those side roads?"

The groomsmen were speechless, all looking at Ethan.

Ethan grabbed my hand.

"Mandy, this is my fault. I didn't plan the route well. When we get home, I'll make it up to you personally."

Did he really not plan the route well? Or did he deliberately take this detour to see Wendy off?

I let out a calm breath and shook my head, not wanting to pursue it further.

"No need, Ethan."

The groomsmen, missing my tone entirely, laughed and praised me.

"See? Mandy's so understanding and considerate of Ethan."

"Man, you guys are goals. We don't even need to explain anything!"

The group walked away laughing, taking Ethan with them.

They went back to directing the wedding convoy to make way for Wendy's procession.

My phone buzzed repeatedly.

"Mandy Foster, I thought you were supposed to be something special. Turns out even on your wedding day, you have to make way for me."

"Ha! I didn't even have to lift a finger. Ethan cleared every obstacle for me. If you didn't know better, you'd think I was his bride!"

She forwarded me a screenshot.

A post Ethan had just made on Instagram.

"If I can't marry you, at least I can pave you a smooth path covered in flowers."

I looked down at the road.

It was covered in petals of Damascus rosesWendy's favorite.

My nose stung, and hot tears slid down my cheeks.

Voice nearly breaking, I called Ethan at the back of the convoy.

"Ethan, I don't want to reverse anymore."

The line went silent for two seconds.

"Mandy, we're almost"

I hung up and took a deep breath.

Ethan, from this moment on, I'll never make myself wait for you again.

I tried to open the door, but suddenly the back of the car dropped.

My elbow and head slammed hard against the door.

Sharp pain made me gasp.

Screams erupted all around. Pure chaos.

"The back wheel fell into the drainage ditch!"

"Someone help! Quick!"

"Mandy! Mandy, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

The two bridesmaids pounded on the windows, checking on me.

I touched my head. Warm liquid trickled from my forehead down my temple.

In the rearview mirror, Ethan was rushing frantically toward the wedding car.

He got closer and closer.

But he didn't stop at my tilted car. Instead, he ran straight to the car across from us.

"Were you not paying attention?! Wendy's shaking like a leaf!"

Ethan pointed his finger right in the other driver's face and yelled.

Friends and family from both sides exchanged glances, smirking and covering their mouths.

Laughing at the overturned car. Laughing at me inside it.

I closed my eyes, praying for that person to come get me quickly.

I didn't want to stay here another second.

The driver tried for ages but couldn't get the stuck rear wheel out.

Everyone discussed lifting the car.

"Maybe the bride should get out first? What if she gets hurt again?"

"Good idea. Better to be safe on such an important day."

Ethan came back after calming Wendy down, his face stern as he objected.

"No. Mandy can only get out at the destination. Getting out midway is bad luck!"

Everyone fell silent and used all their strength to lift the car out of the ditch.

Ethan brushed the dirt off his hands, smiling brightly.

"Mandy, you're not hurt, are you? Today's been all my fault."

"After the wedding's over, I'll take you to the Maldives for our honeymoon, okay?"

He always used this kind of unfair tenderness to soothe my emotions.

But right now, I just wanted to get out of here as fast as possible.

"Once we get to the next turnoff, I'm going back hom"

"Ethan! Ethan, Wendy twisted her ankle!"

The man dropped me and strode toward the other car.

As if he were the groom in that wedding convoy.

My bridesmaids were shaking with anger.

"If her ankle's twisted, she should rest! Why's she making a scene?"

"And their actual groomis he useless or what? Something happens and all he does is yell for Ethan!"

"Mandy, if you weren't so dead-set on marrying him, I'd slap him right now and drive you home myself."

I smiled without saying a word.

Soon. The person coming to get me was already on the way.

A moment later, Ethan walked back from Wendy's car, where he'd been crouching to check her injury, his brow furrowed.

He pushed the bridesmaids aside and yanked the car door open.

His voice was urgent, brooking no argument.

"Wendy twisted her ankle. You studied medicineget out and help her!"

I grabbed the back of the passenger seat, resisting his pull.

The bridesmaids blocked him.

"Ethan, you just said yourself that it's bad luck for the bride to get out midway! Forget already?"

"Exactly! A twisted ankle isn't life-threatening. Just put some ice on it."

"Stop making Mandy sacrifice everything for Wendy, okay?"

Hearing my bridesmaids' words, my eyes welled up with tears.

But Ethan ignored them, pulling me even harder.

"Mandy Foster, this is an emergency! Can you put aside those outdated superstitions for one second?!"

"Ethan, I don't want to."

My tears fell on the back of his hand. He flinched as if burned.

But the next second, his cold voice rang out.

"Please. I'm begging you."

"I'll give you whatever you want, okay?"

"Wendy can't handle pain."

I looked at his anxious, stubborn eyes and laughed bitterly.

"Whatever I want?"

"Yes."

"Let's break up."

Ethan froze, then tilted his head in exasperation.

"Mandy, playing hard to get only works on certain people."

"It doesn't work on me."

I still gripped the seat back tightly, refusing to let go.

He let out a cold laugh and shoved his hands into his pockets, releasing me.

"You're really going to be like this?"

"Yes. Unless we break up, don't expect me to do anything for you."

Ethan ran his tongue over his lower lip, glancing at Wendy.

After just a moment, he quietly said, "Fine."

I got out of the car and brushed past Ethan.

He whispered a warning.

"If you take your anger out on Wendy on purpose, don't blame me for being ruthless and leaving you here."

People from both wedding convoys stood along the roadside.

I walked in my wedding dress and heels toward the other car.

People whispered to each other, smirks on their faces.

In the ten-million-dollar Mercedes SUV, Wendy sat draped in white, filling the entire back seat.

She looked pure and elegant beyond words.

Leaning back in her seat, she smiled and extended her foot.

"Sorry to trouble you, Mandy!"

"We studied medicine together in college. Who knew I'd twist my ankle on my wedding day and still get taken care of by a classmate? I'm so lucky!"

"Ethan, you'd better treasure such a kind and caring bride."

"If you dare bully her, I'll beat you up."

Ethan gazed at Wendy, his eyes full of happy smiles.

I crouched down and lifted Wendy's foot to examine the injury.

"Ah!"

"Mandy Foster! What are you doing?"

Ethan yanked me away and cradled Wendy's foot like it was precious jade.

I fell hard onto the asphalt.

My palms scraped and bled.

"Wendy, Mandy didn't even touch you yet! What are you screaming about?!"

My bridesmaid pointed at Wendy and yelled.

"And you, Ethanwhat's your problem? Doctors can't treat injuries without causing some pain!"

"This bitch screams once and you shove Mandy like that?!"

"You!"

Ethan's chest heaved. He knew he was in the wrong and had to swallow his anger.

Reluctantly, he grabbed my shoulder and helped me up.

"Sorry. I overreacted."

Wendy stuck out her tongue playfully.

"Mandy, I'm sorry! You know meI'm terrified of pain. Sorry about that!"

I didn't want to hear any more of this. I just wanted to bandage her up and get out of here.

"Do you have ice? Gauze?"

"We have gauze, but no ice. Just frozen bottled water."

"Bring both."

Seeing my complete lack of emotion, Ethan's heart beat uneasily.

He tried to help several times, but I subtly kept my distance.

I dampened the gauze and wrapped it around her swollen ankle.

"Ah!"

Wendy kicked me in the face.

I lost my balance and fell again.

"Sorry, sorry, Mandy! I really didn't mean it this time."

I lowered my head and took a deep breath.

I didn't see Ethan's instinctive move to catch me.

"Wendy, Mandy's been crouching for so long. Stop messing with her."

Wendy pouted and shot Ethan a playful look.

"I'll apologize for Wendy. Let me help you up."

I pushed him away, polite but distant.

"No need. Thank you."

I finished the last steps of treatment.

"Without ice, you'll need to pour cold water on the gauze every half hour to reduce the swelling."

"Don't do strenuous exercise. Don't stand for long periods."

Wendy examined her foot from different angles.

"It's wrapped so ugly. Thanks, though."

I walked back toward my wedding car without looking back.

Ethan bumped shoulders with his groomsmen, speaking quietly.

"See? Told you she was playing hard to get. I knew it. All that 'break up' stuffshe's just trying to get a rise out of me."

"Ethan's got her figured out completely."

"Women, man. You can't give them too much face or they'll walk all over you."

I said nothing. I opened the car door, grabbed my purse, and took my two bridesmaids with me.

Then I walked toward the person coming to get me.

I brushed past them.

The groomsmen and Ethan stood frozen.

"Wait, what?"

"She's actually leaving?"

Ethan watched my resolute back and caught up, grabbing my hand.

His voice held barely detectable panic.

"Mandy Foster, what the hell are you doing?!"

"We're breaking up. Exactly what it sounds like."

"Are you done with this tantrum? Don't you see everyone's waiting for you?"

I looked back at the twenty-four wedding cars. Not a single person was waiting for me.

"They're waiting for you."

"Waiting for you to finish reversing for your precious childhood sweetheart, scatter rose petals for her, and see her off one last time."

Ethan clenched his jaw, too guilty to respond.

I pulled my hand free and kept walking.

He shouted furiously.

"Mandy Foster! If you leave today, you'll never get another chance to come back to me! Don't you dare regret this!!"

No one answered him.

Let him perform this farce alone.

That person sent me a shared location. The distance was closing.

I walked quickly with my bridesmaids.

The groomsmen saw things escalating and kept scratching their heads.

"Ethan, you should go after her and smooth things over! Otherwise she really will leave."

Wendy stuck her head out the car window.

"Ethan, this is all my fault. I made Mandy angry."

"Should I go apologize to her?"

Ethan's furrowed brow smoothed out instantly.

"It's bad luck for the bride to get out midway. Stay put. Don't worry about her."

"But what if Mandy really leaves?"

Ethan touched the diamond tiara on her head.

"Be good. Today's your most important day. I'll make sure this road is completely clear for you."

"Don't worry. She's been chasing me for years. She won't go far. She's probably waiting in some shady spot for me to come apologize!"

Wendy smiled and nuzzled his palm like a kitten.

"Ethan, the wedding dress you gave me is beautiful. The diamond necklace, earrings, tiara, and braceletWendy loves them all."

"Even though I can't marry you, you'll always be in my heart."

Ethan was distracted and didn't really hear what Wendy said.

He suddenly realizedMandy wasn't wearing any decent jewelry today.

Ethan looked in the direction Mandy had gone.

Would her heels hurt if she walked too long?

The sun was so strongdid she even put on sunscreen?

She'd rather walk away with her bridesmaids than stay. Was she really that angry?

He turned around and quickly got the convoys moving.

"Wendy, I'll see you off to here."

Wendy threw open the car door, jumped out, and shouted something at him.

He floored the gas pedal. The wind was too loudhe couldn't hear a thing.

"Ethan, look at you! Saying you'll let go and then actually letting go. Just walking away like thatyou're so flexible!"

"This is wild! Let's go! Time to pick up the bride!"

He was grinning ear to ear in the driver's seat.

For the first time, he believed the saying "boys will be boys."

He could already imagine how happy Mandy would look when she saw him catch up to her so quickly.

She'd probably cry from happiness.

Ethan wore his sunglasses, lips curving up involuntarily.

But the mountain road twisted and turned. The further he drove, the less confident he felt. The more anxious he became.

Fifteen minutes passed. He didn't see a single soul.

"Ethan, did Mandy hitch a ride and take off?"

"Shut up. We were blocking the road. What ride could she hitch?"

"Right, right! Don't talk nonsense! She's probably hiding somewhere waiting for us to find her!"

"Keep driving."

Ethan pulled out his phone, hands shaking slightly. He called Mandy.

After a few rings, she hung up mercilessly.

He called again. She blocked him.

He sent messages, tried SnapChateverything disappeared into the void.

He gripped the steering wheel, furious.

"Hey! Ethan, look! There they are!"

"They're at the fifth curve!"

Ethan focused and looked. His whole body relaxed.

"Whoa! She even called a car and got herself a longer train for her dress!"

"So she went to prepare a surprise for Ethan!"

"Nice one, Mandy! You know how to make him happy!"

Ethan couldn't suppress the smile spreading across his face.

Just then, his business rival of over a decade, Lucas Sterling, called.

Ethan was in such a good mood he casually hit accept.

With just one sentence from the other end, the phone slipped from his hand.

"Ethan, thanks for giving Mandy to me."

Ethan gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles, his foot slamming the gas pedal nearly to the floor.

Because he saw me, holding my dress train, climbing into Lucas Sterling's wedding car.