Our World Cup Date Became Their Date

I went with my boyfriend, Ethan Brooks, to watch the World Cup final.

But when we reached the ticket check, the system showed no ticket purchase record under my name.

Ethan smacked his forehead.

I accidentally filled in your best friend Lily Carters information when I bought the tickets.

Perfect timing, since Argentina is her favorite team today, so Ill go pick her up, and we cant let first-row VIP tickets go to waste!

I froze and watched helplessly as my boyfriend led my best friend inside without even sparing me a glance.

And I was left alone, standing outside in the cold, listening to the excitement inside.

Half a month later, during our honeymoon trip, I was stopped outside the airport again.

Ethan once again looked full of regret.

Nora, I filled in Lilys information for the entire itinerary again.

Why dont we just go with the mistake and let me take her abroad for a trip?

Shes not like you, since youve been to so many places!

As soon as he finished speaking, Lily appeared at the airport entrance.

Nora, she said naturally as she handed her luggage to Ethan.

Dont worry, Ill keep an eye on him for you during this trip.

And Ill teach him how to be a good husband while Im at it.

In the seven years I had been with Ethan, he had filled in my best friends information instead of mine countless times.

Every time, he apologized and said he would make it up to me next time, then turned around and left with my best friend.

I thought I was being sensitive and suspicious, and I always told myself, what could possibly be going on between them?

But this time, as I watched their backs while they walked away together,

I didnt want to lie to myself anymore.

Ethan did not notice my darkened expression at all.

He was busy checking the documents Lily needed to bring.

Good, you brought all your documents.

Youre much better than Nora, since shes always careless and I always have to pack her bags for her.

As he complained about me, he put their documents together.

Nora is so lucky, since no matter where she goes, someone takes care of her.

Unlike me, Ive only ever had myself to rely on since I was little.

Lilys tone was sour.

I stayed silent and quietly listened from the side.

After all, every time they met, the two of them would take out my flaws and discuss them.

And Ethan had long since cared for her more than he cared for me.

Nora, were leaving! Dont miss me too much!

Arent you going to wish us a safe trip?

Lilys voice was cheerful.

When I did not answer, Ethan finally noticed my cold expression.

Nora, dont be immature and ruin everyones mood, and Ill make it up to you properly when I get back.

Besides, weve been to Hawaii once before, so it wont mean much for you to go again.

Five years ago, Ethan confessed his feelings to me in Hawaii.

This time, I had wanted to find that original beauty again, but the person beside him had already changed.

Returning to the same place was just me trying to chase something that was already gone.

I laughed at myself.

I wish you both a safe trip.

I turned and walked out of the airport, then took a cab home.

When I got home, the traces of yesterdays wedding were still there.

Confetti all over the floor, red roses, the wedding dress spread across the couch

It was not until the wedding that I found out Ethan had custom-ordered two identical wedding dresses.

Lily wore the other one to my wedding.

I threw a tantrum and refused to go onstage.

Nora, you and Lily grew up together, and you usually buy matching clothes all the time, so why cant your wedding dresses be the same?

Didnt you two even say when you were kids that you wanted to hold your weddings together?

Ethan frowned.

Maybe Nora forgot a long time ago.

If you dont like it, Ill take it off right now.

After Lily said that, she took off the wedding dress right in front of both of us.

Ethan immediately took off his own jacket and wrapped it around her.

Can we hold the wedding now?

He asked me, his tone carrying anger.

I swallowed the grievance in my heart, but I still nodded.

I made an appointment with a housekeeping company to come pack my luggage.

I had them throw the wedding dress away directly.

I did not want anything that did not belong to me alone.

People included.

I called the city hall staff, wanting to cancel the marriage license appointment.

We had originally planned to officially register the marriage after the honeymoon.

Now there was no need at all.

Im sorry, Ms. Hayes, but we couldnt find your appointment information.

However, the Mr. Ethan Brooks you mentioned has already made an appointment to register a marriage with Ms. Lily Carter.

Ethan had deliberately filled in the wrong information again.

Although Lily and I were born on the same day and our ID numbers differed by only one digit,

if the name and ID did not match, the system would not recognize it at all.

I wanted to see how long Ethan would keep pretending to be stupid.

After I got up the next day, I came across a post.

Does anyone know this couple? I found their camera in Hawaii.

I tapped it open, and it was a photo of Ethan and Lily together.

The two of them stood side by side by the ocean.

There were also many solo photos they had taken of each other, and every moment looked beautiful.

These two are way too perfect together!

Hes handsome, shes gorgeous, theyre a match made in heaven!

The comments section was full of praise.

I casually forwarded it to Ethan.

His call came quickly.

Nora, dont listen to the nonsense in the comments section, we only took a photo together.

Lily laughed and cut in from the side.

But the public has sharp eyes, and we really do look good together.

She snatched the phone.

Nora, relax, Id never be interested in him.

But he already promised me hed quit smoking, and I dont know how you used to stand kissing him with that smoke smell on him.

Ew just thinking about it is disgusting.

I replied coldly.

The important thing is to bring the camera back, since that was a gift from Grandma to my mom.

I opened the file folder on the table and took out the materials I had previously prepared for my study abroad application.

Because of Ethans proposal, I had given it up.

Now, I was going to start my life over.

A few days later, it was Ethans mothers birthday.

I arrived at his mothers house early, put down the gift, and was about to leave.

I did not expect to still run into Ethan, who had just returned from the honeymoon.

He slipped a crudely made shell bracelet onto my wrist.

What do you think? Do you like it?

I picked these up one by one from the beach under the blazing sun, so theyre especially meaningful as a keepsake.

Lily was sitting cross-legged on the couch playing on her phone, and she came over too.

To drill holes in these stupid shells, I even stabbed my hand.

Ethan was afraid youd think he hadnt taken good care of me, so he specially gave me a bracelet as an apology.

She spread both hands in front of me.

The wound was smaller than a needle prick.

The bracelet was bright and eye-catching, but I only found it blinding.

The gifts Ethan gave me were always little handmade things.

A dress he made by hand, a ceramic spoon

Every single one showed a careless kind of ugliness.

But Lily often received expensive gifts from him.

Once, I questioned him with red eyes.

Do you like Lily?

Who would like her? Shes so silly. I only give her gifts on your behalf, and if you hadnt said Lily was your best friend since childhood, I wouldnt even bother trying to please her.

He held my hand, his eyes full of sincerity.

The things I give you cant be bought with money, and sincerity is priceless.

I let out a scoff.

I was laughing at my old lovesick self.

Nora, heres your camera.

Lily took the camera out of her bag and threw it straight at me.

The distance was too far, and I did not catch it.

The camera fell to the floor and shattered into pieces.

Why didnt you catch it?

Lily complained at me.

If its broken, then its broken, since that old antique was hard to use anyway.

Before I could say anything, Ethan pushed me straight into the kitchen.

The housekeeper took the day off, so Ill have to trouble my wife to cook today.

He handed me a list.

These are all dishes Lily likes, and shes worked hard taking care of me these past two days, so we need to reward her properly.

Not wanting to ruin Ethans mothers birthday, I quickly made a whole table of food.

Lily sat beside Ethan.

She chatted and laughed with Ethans family.

There was no longer any seat for me at the dining table.

Ethan tugged my hand.

Honey, there are too many guests today, and we cant fit everyone, so go eat in the kitchen.

When Lily heard that, she made a show of standing up.

How can that be? Only servants eat in the kitchen, so let Nora sit here.

Ethan pressed down on her leg.

Youre the guest, so just sit here with peace of mind.

Nora isnt that fussy, and she can eat in the kitchen.

I carried a big bowl of food back to the kitchen.

I opened the trash can and poured it in.

I also threw the shell bracelet in with it.

As soon as I turned around, Lily smeared a huge piece of cake across my face.

Why did you suddenly turn around, Nora?

She casually picked up a dirty rag nearby and tried to wipe my face.

Enough!

I shouted and knocked her hand away, then fumbled around to find the faucet.

Ethan rushed over after hearing the commotion.

Lily spoke first.

I just wanted to bring Nora some cake, but she turned her head and bumped into the cake, so its all my fault.

Ethan roughly pulled me over.

Apologize to Lily.

I didnt do anything wrong!

My gaze swept back and forth between the two of them.

One was the friend who had grown up with me, and one was the person I had once loved most.

But neither of them remembered I was allergic to cream.

I shook off his hand and strode toward the door.

Two minutes later, I got a call and hurried back to Ethan.

Take me to the hospital, my mom suddenly fainted.

Maybe it was panic, or maybe it was the allergic reaction, but I could not breathe properly, and the hand gripping his was trembling.

Ethans mother lived in the suburbs.

It was already very late, and there was no way to get a cab.

Ethans face was calm.

Apologize to Lily first, and then Ill take you to the hospital.

I looked at Lily, who was sitting among the crowd and constantly wiping away tears.

I was clearly the one who had been wronged.

With the situation urgent, I walked up to her.

Im sorry.

Its okay, Nora, but when you yelled at me just now, it made me feel uncomfortable

I completely ignored what she said and pulled Ethan out the door.

Inside the car, the atmosphere was terrifyingly quiet.

Honey, you and Lily have been best friends for over twenty years, and I dont want to see you two fight, so I wanted to help you, and thats why I asked you to lower your head first

Focus on driving.

I interrupted him and turned my head to the other side.

A few minutes later, Lily called.

Ethan

Lily sobbed on the other end of the phone, I really didnt want to bother you, but I dont have any other friends.

Im scared to drive home by myself, since the road is so dark and quiet, just like the scene in that horror movie we just watched, and Im so scared

Ethan slammed on the brakes, and my head hit the windshield.

He got out of the car, opened the passenger door, and dragged me out.

Go to the hospital yourself.

Lily is very timid, so I have to send her home safely first.

My mom is still waiting for me at the hospital

I was beyond anxious.

But Ethan had already driven far away, and the car lights disappeared like fireflies.

This godforsaken place did not even have a signal.

There was only the faint light coming from my phone.

The thick darkness made my scalp tingle.

Ethan had long forgotten that I was the one afraid of the dark.

Once, he would install automatic night-lights in every corner of our home and prepare lots of candles in advance.

He had made sure there was always light in my world.

But now, that light had long since shone on someone else.

I ran desperately toward the main road.

Half an hour later, I finally found a car that could take me.

After I reached the hospital, the doctor told me,

The patient has had a sudden cerebral hemorrhage, and the condition is very serious, but we are doing everything we can to save her.

In the next second, I lost consciousness.

When I woke again, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

The doctor told me that my acute shock had been caused by the allergy.

If we had found you a few minutes later, your life would have been in danger.

Luckily, Moms surgery was also very successful.

Otherwise, I would have blamed myself for the rest of my life for not making it to her side when she needed me most.

Early the next morning, Ethan and Lily pushed open the door to my hospital room.

Ethan was still wearing yesterdays clothes, and when he came close to me, a heavy scent of perfume drifted from him.

They had been together all night.

Nora, today is the day we get our marriage license.

Ethan, my voice trembled slightly, my mom is still unconscious.

But Lily said,

Nora, dont throw a tantrum, since getting the license is more important, and the date was already set, so you cant delay it.

My emotions were on the edge of losing control.

Are you two addicted to acting?

Ethan, you filled in Lilys information for the appointment again this time, didnt you? How many more times do you want to play this trick?

Ethans brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

He opened the appointment page and froze in place.

Lily tilted her head at us and smiled.

Nora, I changed the appointment information, and I just wanted to give you a surprise, so please dont be mad at me and Ethan.

Besides, we can just change it back when we get there.

Ethan had never let me touch his phone.

But Lily could log into his account whenever she wanted.

His so-called respect for privacy was nothing more than giving favoritism to someone else and leaving suspicion for me.

Ethan also let out a breath of relief and rubbed the top of Lilys head.

You little troublemaker, how could we possibly be mad at you?

Ethan took my hand.

Lets go, Nora, youre about to officially become my wife.

Ethan, I want to break up with you.

I said each word slowly and clearly.

After my words fell, Ethan froze.

Just because Lily changed the appointment information?

Nora Hayes!

He gripped my wrist so hard it hurt, Can you stop being so willful, since weve already had the wedding?

Where are you going to leave my familys reputation?

Wherever, I replied.

Ethan was so furious that he carried me over his shoulder and went to city hall.

Lily followed behind us too.

Ethans relatives and friends had arrived a long time ago.

They had even set up a small area and hired a photographer.

But then they saw the big screen display:

Please have Mr. Ethan Brooks and Ms. Lily Carter come to Window 2 to complete the marriage registration.

Everyone looked at one another.

Then they began whispering.

Whats going on? The person he had the wedding with and the person hes getting the license with arent the same?

The Brooks family wants to marry two daughters-in-law? On the wedding day, there were two brides in wedding dresses too, so isnt this bigamy?

A few days before the wedding, I even saw Ethan go to the OB-GYN with Lily.

Ethan hurriedly explained,

Everyone, please dont misunderstand, the appointment information was filled in wrong, and the only wife Ive had from beginning to end is Nora.

Lily also grabbed my sleeve.

My period was late, and since I saw you were busy with work, I asked Ethan to go with me to the hospital for a checkup.

I laughed.

The person getting the marriage license with Ethan today really isnt me.

Let me officially announce that Ethan and I have broken up, and from now on, I have nothing to do with him.

Nora Hayes! Are you determined to make a scene?

Youll regret this!

He dragged me tightly and forced me to watch with my own eyes as he and Lily completed the marriage registration.

Are you satisfied now?

Ethan asked me with red eyes.

Happy wedding.

After saying that, I broke free from his hand and walked outside.

But he grabbed me by the hair.

Lily tried to stop Ethan.

But she only barely brushed his arm, looking as if she had failed to stop him.

During the struggle, I fell down the stairs.

I sank into unconsciousness again.

Im the patients family member, and the patients ID number is

Wrong? I didnt remember it wrong.

That was Ethans voice.

Sir, the identity information you just gave corresponds to Ms. Lily Carter.

Someone answered him.

The patient has severe internal bleeding and needs a blood transfusion as soon as possible, so what is the patients blood type?

Type O? No, no, Lily is type O.

Doctor, I forgot.

Ethans voice was anxious.

Nora has a rare blood type, just like me, so take mine.

A familiar voice sounded by my ear.