200K Substitute Bride: My Fiancée's Regret Spiral

News about my marriage to Mabel didn't travel far.

To protect Clarke Group's stock price, the Clarkes ensured the story stayed buried.

The moment the ceremony ended, Mabel and I rushed off to file the paperwork and make it official. Then she told me she needed to leave the country for a few days.

Jessie didn't know a thing. She spent two carefree days at the villa with Oliver, completely relaxed, until she finally sensed something was off.

Normally, I would've snapped and dragged her back by now, but this time, I stayed silent.

She scrolled through her phone, lost in thought, barely hearing Oliver call her name. She could feel something was wrong, but she convinced herself that I was just playing hard to get.

With that thought in mind, Jessie smirked, blaming herself for spoiling me too much.

…

Of all things, I hadn't counted on running into those two magnets for trouble at Dad's business gala.

Jessie spotted me immediately. The moment she realized I was talking to another woman, her expression curdled.

When Oliver noticed me, he leaned into Jessie and played the fragile act. "Jessie, I don't feel well. My head's spinning."

She propped him up like she cared, but her eyes kept drifting to me, barely pretending otherwise. She was clearly waiting for me to go to her.

Too bad for her. I didn't give her so much as a glance.

Eventually, she snapped. She marched to our table, slammed her glass down, and said, "Callum, are you mad because I had someone stand in for me at the wedding?"

I didn't even bother looking at her. I pushed my chair back to leave.

"The only reason I missed the ceremony was because Oliver was sick and it was urgent," she explained.

Oliver staggered toward me like he could barely stay upright and blocked my way. "Mr. Searle, please don't blame Jessie. It's my fault. I was too sick and ruined the ceremony."

Jessie actually laughed, like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Callum, how did I never realize you were this petty? It was just a wedding."

Then she grabbed my arm like she hadn't done anything wrong.

My eyes went cold as I shook her hand off. "Ms. Clarke, get a grip. Didn't your parents tell you anything about the wedding?"

Jessie went still. "Tell me what?"

Oliver panicked and latched onto my wrist, trying to play peacemaker. "Mr. Searle, please don't be mad. Jessie only said that for your sake."

He kept pretending he cared about me, but his nails dug into my skin so hard it forced a sharp breath out of me.

I tore my hand free. "Let go!"

Oliver yelped and hit the floor hard, looking helpless and pathetic.

Jessie's eyes flashed with fury as she scrambled to pull him back up. "You're insane! Apologize to Oliver. Now!"

I let out a dry laugh and motioned to the security guards who were already heading over after the noise. "Security. Show them the door!"

Jessie's face twisted. "Don't think this is going to make me care. If you know how to behave, I'll register our marriage with you in a few days."

She actually believed I'd drop everything and crawl back, thanking her the second she decided to take me back.

I huffed a laugh. "But I'm already married."