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."

Jessie's smile froze, and she just stood there, like her brain had gone blank, her brows knitting tight.

"What the hell are you talking about?" she spat.

She stepped right up to me, her voice sharp with arrogance. "If you're really married, then why isn't your wife here with you?"

I gave her a mocking smile. "She's on a work trip. Not everyone's some lazy deadweight who needs a man to survive."

Before Jessie could blow up, Oliver's eyes went red, tears springing up on the spot. "Mr. Searle, how could you say that about Jessie?"

His deliberate pause made Jessie turn on me, her eyes full of disappointment and anger.

"Callum, you're being so bitter and mean right now. Who would even want you except me? Listen. Stop with the hard-to-get act. It just makes me look down on you even more!"

I was done holding back. "Security! Are you deaf or what? Get these two out of here!"

The guards rushed over, grabbed them from both sides, and dragged them away.

Jessie thrashed and screamed, her face twisted in rage. "Callum! How dare you do this to me? You'll regret it!"

That same night, I got a text from an unknown number.

"Did you really think you could take Jessie away from me? Guess what? She never cared about you. She's already on vacation overseas with me, living her best life."

I didn't need to guess who sent it. I blocked the number immediately.

Around then, Alan and Erica still wouldn't give up. They continued to show up at my door, but I shut them out every single time.

…

A week later, I checked Mabel's landing time and drove to the airport to pick her up.

The moment I stepped into the international arrivals hall, I ran right into Jessie and Oliver. They were both a little tanned, wearing sunglasses, looking like they'd just come back from an easy vacation.

Jessie spotted me and gave me a smug grin. "I knew you couldn't let me go. You even came all the way here to pick me up."

I didn't bother answering and just stared at her like she'd forgotten to bring half her brain.

Oliver jumped in with that fake-sweet tone of his. "Come on, Mr. Searle, don't be mad. Jessie didn't mean to leave you behind. You're her fiance. You should be more understanding."

Jessie clearly loved hearing that. She tried to loop her arm through mine, but I shifted out of reach before she could touch me.

She didn't get angry. If anything, she looked even more smug, convinced I was just throwing a tantrum.

"Alright, cut it out. Once we get our marriage registered, I'll make it up to you with an even fancier honeymoon, okay?"

I walked right past the two of them and rushed toward Mabel as she came out, wrapping my arms around her. "Welcome home, babe."

Mabel hugged me back and tipped her head up to press a soft kiss against my cheek.

Behind me, Jessie's smug smile vanished in an instant.

There was a moment of stunned silence, then she exploded, furious and humiliated. "Callum Searle! Are you done with this ridiculous show?"

She stormed toward us and jabbed a finger at Mabel. "You seriously hired an actress just to piss me off? Nice performance. How much did he pay you? Name your price. I'll give you ten times more, and you can get lost right now!"

Mabel stepped in front of me, blocking me from view, her eyes going dark and her whole vibe turning icy.

I grabbed her arm and moved to stand beside her, watching as Jessie's face twisted with anger. "Jessie, weren't you dying to meet my wife?"

I looped my arm through Mabel's and gave a wide smile. "Let me introduce her. This is my wife, Mabel Jones."

Jessie's face went pale. "It's you?"