My Best Friend Stole My Groom Before the Wedding

"I'll bring you a gift when I get back!"

That was the last thing Iñigo said before hanging up the video call.

I sat alone on the balcony, staring blankly at the city lights. The night breeze was cool, but my thoughts were heavy—like a thick fog that refused to clear.

Before I could sort through them, someone tapped my shoulder.

"Elaine!"

It was Talia.

She was already dressed—but not like the tomboy I'd known my whole life.

Tonight, she wore a tight, body-hugging skirt and heavy makeup. For a moment, I barely recognized her.

"Talia," I said carefully, "are you... seeing someone?"

I wanted to warn her. The man she was texting didn't seem trustworthy, and I didn't want her to get hurt. But before I could finish, her expression darkened.

"Elaine," she said sharply, "we're best friends, sure. But just because you're happy doesn't mean you can control who I love!"

Her sudden anger stunned me.

"Elaine," she snapped, calling my name coldly. "You just can't stand seeing me happy, can you?"

My breath caught.

"I shouldn't have taken leave from work to help you with your wedding," she continued bitterly. "You've really disappointed me!"

She grabbed her purse and stormed toward the door.

"Talia, wait!" I chased after her, calling out, "I didn't mean it that way—!"

But the elevator doors shut in my face.

By the time I ran down to the parking lot, she was gone. The wide, empty space swallowed my voice.

I stood there, completely lost. All I'd wanted was to protect her, yet somehow, I'd pushed her away.

Then I remembered—the hotel location in that man's message.

[Let's play something exciting tonight!]

A sense of dread crawled up my spine.

What if she was being deceived? What if something happened to her because of this fight?

Talia wasn't just my best friend. She was family—someone I trusted even more than my fiancé.

Panic overrode everything else. I grabbed my car keys and drove straight to the hotel.

When I arrived, the first thing I saw was her car parked near the entrance. Relief flooded me—until I saw who stepped out of the hotel next.

My breath stopped.

It was Iñigo.

The same man who had told me he was on a business trip out of town. The same coat he was wearing was the one I had picked out for him.

And right there, under the glowing hotel lights, he pulled Talia into his arms.

They kissed—openly, passionately, as if the world around them didn't exist.

I froze behind the wheel.

Every part of me refused to believe it. But no matter how much I denied it, the truth unfolded right before my eyes.

The mysterious account on WhatsApp—the voice I'd heard—it really was Iñigo.

My hands trembled as I cut the engine. I hid in the shadows, like a thief spying on someone else's happiness.

He gently wrapped Talia's coat around her shoulders. "Are you cold?"

She smiled sweetly. "Not when I'm with you!"

He pinched her cheek, teasing. "How did you explain sneaking out to my wife?"

His tone was full of amusement. "She's so clingy with you, I can't imagine she let you leave easily!"

My heart twisted painfully. It was hard to breathe.

Talia smirked. "I just had to throw a little tantrum!"

Then she leaned in, biting his neck lightly as she whispered, "Don't you know how much Elaine cares about me? She's probably worried sick right now, afraid I'm mad at her and stop talking to her!"

I stared at her—the woman I'd called my closest friend—watching her mock the very loyalty and love I'd cherished.

I thought of how I had run here in desperation, heart pounding with fear of losing her. And yet here they were—sharing a secret joke at my expense.

Something inside me cracked wide open.