The Wedding Trap

The sound of a champagne flute shattering on the red carpet drowned out the wedding march.

Everyone thought I was just overcome with emotion. Only I knew that face had been etched into my very being for five years.

My best friend pushed me onto the stage to give a speech. I smiled through the blessings, only to be yanked into his arms. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "You've lost weight."

During the toasts, he slipped a note into my hand: "She forced me to break up with you. Meet me on the rooftop tonight."

I looked up, meeting Serena's meaningful smile.

The note in my palm was drenched in cold sweat. Tonight's wedding, who was the real bride?

The sound of a champagne flute shattering on the red carpet drowned out the wedding march.

Everyone thought I was just overcome with emotion. Only I knew that face had been etched into my very being for five years.

My hands trembled, and shattered glass scattered at my feet. A server quickly came to clean it up. My best friend, Serena, rushed over, holding up the hem of her wedding dress, a bride's sweet smile on her face. "Autumn, what's wrong?"

I forced a smile. "Nothing, just slipped."

She linked her arm through mine, her grip so tight my wrist ached. "Good. I thought you were too excited seeing the groom."

Her words were a sharp jab right behind my eyes.

I looked up, meeting her curved, smiling eyes. Serena was my best friend of ten years. From high school to college, we were inseparable, shared everythingsecrets, clothes, even a dorm room. When I had my heartbreak five years ago, she stayed up with me until 3 AM every night for three months.

But her expression now sent a chill down my spine.

The groom stood still, impeccably dressed, his gaze fixed directly on me. That look was all too familiarfive years ago, whenever he waited for me outside school after classes, that was the look he had.

Liam.

I silently repeated the name in my heart, my tongue feeling as if it had been burned.

"Autumn, why don't you come up and say a few words?" Serena pushed me forward. "You're my best friend."

She guided me to the microphone. Dozens of tables of guests watched me. Liam stood to my left, close enough for me to catch the faint scent of pine from him.

"I wish you both..." My throat tightened, my voice wavering. "I wish you a lifetime of happiness, and may your hearts always be one."

A round of applause filled the room.

Serena smiled contentedly, linking her arm through Liam's and resting her head on his shoulder. I turned to step off the stage, but a hand suddenly pulled me back.

Liam pulled me into his arms, a motion so forceful it was almost like he was snatching me.

He lowered his head, his lips almost touching my ear, and whispered in a voice only we could hear, "You've lost weight."

I froze.

His embrace was still as wide and strong as I remembered, his chest still as solid. But this hug should have belonged to his bride. Serena stood right beside us, her smile unwavering, as if this were all a pre-arranged part of the ceremony.

"The groom is just too enthusiastic!" the MC quickly smoothed over, chuckling. "It seems the bride's bridesmaid is simply too stunning, even the groom couldn't resist a hug!"

The guests burst into laughter.

I pulled free from his embrace, practically fleeing off the stage. I grabbed a glass of champagne and gulped it down. The icy liquid burned a path down my throat, but the fury in my chest only intensified.

During the toasts, I hid in a corner, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

"Autumn."

Liam was suddenly behind me, holding two glasses of wine. He handed one to me, his eyes holding something I couldn't decipher.

I took the glass, my fingers brushing his, and recoiled as if I'd been shocked.

"You shouldn't have come," he whispered.

"Your invitation had my name on it," I retorted, a cold laugh escaping me. "What, afraid I'd cause a scene?"

He didn't speak, just quickly slipped a piece of paper into my palm. His movement was so swift that none of the surrounding guests noticed.

"10 PM tonight, rooftop."

I looked down at the words on the note, my palm instantly drenched in cold sweat.

When I looked up, Serena stood not far away, holding a glass of red wine, and gave me a meaningful smile.

That smile was too perfect, so perfect it sent shivers down my spine.

I crumpled the note, my nails digging into my flesh. This wedding, from the moment the champagne glass shattered, was destined to be anything but a normal celebration.

I clutched the note, feeling like I was holding a ticking time bomb.

Serena walked over, red wine in hand, her heels clicking on the marble floor, each sound like a drumbeat in my chest.

"Autumn, you don't look so good." She smiled gently, reaching out to touch my face.

I instinctively took half a step back.

Her hand froze in mid-air, her smile faltering for a second before returning to normal. "Are you drinking too much? Should I have someone bring you some water?"

"No, thanks." I tucked the note into my clutch, forcing a smile. "I'm just going to the restroom."

Serena nodded, but her eyes lingered on my face for a few seconds. That gaze was too sharp, as if trying to dissect me.

I quickly turned and walked to the restroom, pushed open a stall door, and leaned against the wall, taking deep, gasping breaths.

Five years ago, Liam disappeared without a word. I called him hundreds of times, sent countless messages, all of them vanishing without a trace. Finally, I received a single text: "Don't look for me. We're not right for each other."

Those eight words sentenced my five years of love to death.

I cried for a whole month, losing ten pounds. Later, I heard he went abroad, and I forced myself to let go, to start a new life.

But now?

He was back, as my best friend's groom.

I unfolded the note. The handwriting was definitely his. I knew his script intimately; hed written me countless love letters in college, every curve and line burned into my memory.

"She forced me to break up with you. Meet me on the rooftop tonight."

That sentence was like a knife, plunging directly into the softest part of my heart.

She forced him to break up? Serena?

I crumpled the note, an unspeakable mix of anger and hurt churning in my chest.

A knock suddenly sounded.

"Autumn, are you in there?" Serena's voice came from outside the door.

I quickly tore the note into tiny pieces and flushed them down the toilet.

"Yes," I took a deep breath and opened the stall door.

Serena stood in front of the sink, touching up her lipstick in the mirror. She wore a custom-made wedding dress, her makeup perfect; she looked every bit the happiest bride.

I walked over to wash my hands, catching her reflection watching me.

"Autumn, I'm so happy you're here as my bridesmaid." She finished her lipstick, then turned and took my hand. "I know it hasn't been easy for you these past few years, being on your own. Liam and I will take good care of you from now on."

"Take care of me?" I couldn't help but laugh.

"Of course, we're best friends, aren't we?" She blinked, her expression impeccably sincere.

I looked into her eyes. Those eyes were so familiar; we'd been crazy together, laughed and cried together. I even thought she was the person who understood me best in this life.

But at this moment, her face suddenly felt alien.

"Serena, are you happy?" I asked.

She paused, then smiled brightly. "Of course I'm happy. Liam is wonderful to me."

"That's good," I pulled my hand from hers. "Congratulations."

With that, I turned and walked out of the restroom. Her voice drifted after me: "Autumn, you'll be on stage to give a speech later, I've already arranged it all."

My steps faltered.

A speech.

She wanted me to give a speech at Liam's wedding.

When I returned to the banquet hall, the MC was warming up the crowd. Liam stood on stage, impeccably dressed, a polite smile on his face.

I couldn't make out his expression, only saw him glance in my direction.

"Next, let's invite the bride's best friend and bridesmaid, Autumn, to the stage to offer her blessings to the happy couple!"

Applause erupted.

All eyes were on me.

I took a deep breath and walked onto the stage.

The microphone was handed to me, my palm slick with sweat.

"Hello everyone, I'm Autumn, Serena's best friend." I heard my voice tremble. "Serena and I have known each other for ten years. She's the most important friend in my life."

Serena waved to me from below, her smile radiant.

"Seeing her find her happiness today truly makes me happy." I paused, my gaze involuntarily falling on Liam. "The groom is wonderful, and they are a perfect match."

Liam watched me, expressionless.

"I wish you a lifetime of happiness, and may your hearts always be one." I raised my glass. "Cheers."

The guests below raised their glasses.

I tilted my head back and gulped the wine, tears almost spilling from my eyes.

The MC took the microphone, asking the bride and groom to embrace. Liam hugged Serena, then released her and walked towards me.

"Thank you, bridesmaid," he reached out and gave me a ceremonial hug.

Just as he leaned close to my ear, I heard a low, husky voice:

"You've lost weight."

I froze.

That tone was too familiar, laced with tenderness, guilt, and something else I couldn't quite place.

I abruptly pushed him away, stumbling back two steps.

The guests below chuckled, thinking the groom's humor had amused me.

But I saw a glint of tears in Liam's eyes.

Serena walked over and linked her arm through his, smiling at me. "Autumn, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I set down the glass, almost running away.

Reaching a corner, I pulled out my phone.

A new message on the screen, from an unknown number.

"Ten o'clock, rooftop. I'll tell you all the truth."

I stared at the words, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst.

This wedding, from the moment the champagne glass shattered, was destined to be anything but a normal celebration.

This was a trap.

The toasts began.

Serena walked table to table with Liam, smiling radiantly, showing no hint of a flaw.

I stood in a corner, clutching my glass, my fingers white against the stem.

That text message still lay in my phone, every word like a burning brand, scorching my palm.

"Autumn."

Serena's voice suddenly chimed. She pulled Liam over to me, her face alight with a sweet smile.

"Why are you hiding here? I've been looking for you."

She offered me a glass of red wine. I took it, realizing my hand was trembling when my fingertips touched the glass.

"A toast to you," Serena raised her glass, her eyes bright and clear. "Today is the happiest day of my life, thank you for being my bridesmaid."

She finished speaking and drank it all in one gulp.

I watched her throat move, the wine sliding down my stomach like a knife.

"Drink," Liam's voice was low, I couldn't discern his emotion.

I raised my glass and took a sip.

The wine was bitter, so bitter my eyes stung.

Serena smiled again, reaching out to pat my shoulder. "You don't look well, are you feeling sick? Do you want to go rest?"

"I'm fine," I forced a smile. "I'm just going to the restroom."

The moment I turned, my wrist was grabbed.

It was Liam.

His grip was tight; I couldn't break free.

"Liam?" Serena's voice came from behind, laced with a hint of displeasure.

"I need to speak with the bridesmaid," Liam didn't turn back, just looked at me, his gaze intense. "About some wedding details, I wanted to ask her."

"Then hurry up," Serena's tone was a bit cold, but I didn't have the presence of mind to analyze it.

Liam led me to a corner. The noisy chatter of guests surrounded us; no one noticed us.

He released my hand and pulled a piece of paper from his suit pocket, quickly slipping it into my palm.

"Read it and burn it," his voice was hushed, so low only I could hear. "Ten o'clock tonight, rooftop."

Then he turned, walked back to Serena, and his smile returned to his face.

I clutched the note, my palm drenched in sweat.

I went to the restroom, closed the stall door, and opened the note.

The handwriting was messy, but it was his familiar script.

The love letters he wrote me five years ago, every single one had this handwriting.

"She forced me to break up with you. Meet me on the rooftop tonight. I'll tell you all the truth."

I stared at the words, my head buzzing.

She forced me to break up.

Five words, like five knives, one by one plunging into my heart.

That night five years ago, he sent the breakup text, then vanished without a trace.

I called hundreds of times, sent thousands of messages, all of them vanishing without a trace.

I thought he was dead, thought something had happened to him, thought he had been kidnapped.

Only Serena stayed by my side, hugging me, crying with me, saying, "Autumn, he must have his reasons."

How genuinely she cried back then.

I thought she was the best friend in the world.

The note was crumpled in my hand. I shoved it into my bag and pushed open the door.

At the sink, Serena was touching up her lipstick.

She saw me come out and smiled faintly. "Still don't look well. Should I have someone take you to the hospital?"

"No, thanks." I washed my hands and looked up into the mirror.

In the mirror, Serena and I met each other's gaze.

Her eyes were calm, as still as a ripple-less lake.

But I always felt there was something hidden beneath that calm.

"Autumn," she suddenly spoke, her voice very soft. "Do you hate me?"

I froze.

"Hate you for what?" I asked.

She smiled, finishing the last stroke of her lipstick and putting the tube back in her bag.

"Nothing, just asking."

She turned, her heels clicking crisply on the tile floor.

At the doorway, she paused, looking back at me.

"Oh, by the way, the fireworks show starts at ten tonight, up on the rooftop."

"You might want to check it out."

With that, she pushed the door open and left.

I stood alone in the restroom, the note in my hand drenched in cold sweat.

Ten o'clock, rooftop, fireworks show.

She had calculated everything.

I pulled out my phone and looked again at the message from the unknown number.

"Ten o'clock, rooftop. I'll tell you all the truth."

Was it from Liam, or from her?

I didn't know.

But I knew, no matter who was waiting for me on the rooftop tonight, I had to go.