The Unexpected Groom on the Wedding Day

With all the guests gone, I remained slumped on the ground. Taking out my phone from my bag, I noticed the crumpled pregnancy test form inside. I had just found out I was two months pregnant, planning to surprise Cody after the wedding. Now, that plan seemed irrelevant.

I unlocked my phone to call Cody but got distracted by an entertainment news alert.

[Melisa attempted to commit suicide out of jealousy, the Stone Family’s prince sacrificed himself for love.]

What?

I shivered, tapping the notification repeatedly until the video loaded. In the footage, Melisa leapt from a rooftop and without hesitation, Cody followed, holding her tightly as they hit the ground.

I couldn’t shake the memories of Cody always insisting Melisa was like a sister whenever I saw them flirting. Yet here he was, willing to give up his life to fulfill Melisa’s irrational act. Would a brother truly do this for his sister?

As I sat there, trying to make sense of it all, several young women walked past me, chatting excitedly. “Did you see the news? Cody’s proving his love, ready to sacrifice himself for his girl.”

“Yeah, because Melisa’s worth it. He never appreciated her before, but now he’s willing to go to extremes for her.”

“It’s like a story straight out of a romance novel. So tragic and romantic!”

Their words cut through me like a knife, adding to the turmoil in my heart.

As the voices faded into the distance, I couldn't help but burst out laughing, even as tears gathered at the corners of my eyes.

"Love is so beautiful, isn't it?" I mused bitterly. "If I wasn't the abandoned bride or the scapegoat in their love story, maybe I'd see it that way."

Suddenly, my phone rang—it was Melisa calling. Her voice came through cheerfully, "Audrey, being the biological daughter doesn't matter. Everyone loves me."

I retorted, "You shouldn't say that. Your biological mother cares deeply about me."

She scoffed, "That farmer can't be my mother! You're foolish to think she's worth anything. Oh and I forgot to mention, my parents just cut off that poor woman's medical expenses to make me happy." Her laughter crackled through the phone. "Audrey, how much longer do you think she'll keep loving you?"

With that, she hung up, leaving me reeling from her callous words. It was a harsh reminder of the harsh realities I faced in their twisted world.

Even though it was summer, I suddenly felt this chill. I jumped up, tripped over myself and bolted out of the door, grabbing a taxi straight to the hospital. Sitting there, the lady driver hesitated and said, “Hey, your outfit…”

It dawned on me—I’d rushed out without changing out of my wedding dress. The once pristine white gown now trailed dirty on the ground, barely recognizable.

“If you want, you can change into some of my spare clothes,” the driver offered kindly.

My eyes welled up. It was comforting to know there were still people who cared. At the hospital, I urgently asked about Cody’s ward and then borrowed some cash. As I approached his room, I overheard him on the phone.

“Yeah, that set of African rubies Melisa tried on the other day? Pack it up and send it to City Center Hospital. Five million? Okay, just deduct it from my account.”

I waited until he hung up before entering, tears streaming down my face. “Cody, my mom… my foster mom is sick and the Jordan Family cut off her medical coverage out of nowhere. Could you lend me 10,000 dollars? I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”

He let out a sigh, looking utterly helpless.

“You know, Mrs. Jordan invited her over to thank her, but she went after Melisa like a crazy dog. She deserved to die.”

No daughter could bear hearing her mother being cursed like that. Anger flashed in my eyes and a sudden hit of pain shot through my lower abdomen.

It all started when my mom caught Melisa bullying me and stood up for me. That was why she scolded Melisa.

As I looked at Cody, it hit me—he wasn’t the guy I once loved.

Yeah, there was a time when I really cared about him.

Everyone thought we were just business partners, but from the moment I set foot in the Jordan Family, I secretly started to develop feelings for him.