The Wedding That Ended Us

After her boyfriend bailed on their wedding, my best friend broke down crying and begged my fiance to step in and save the day.

Blake Keller comforted me gently. "Dawn, Noelle and I grew up together. We've been close for years—closer than family, honestly. Today is just for show. Besides, our wedding's next week anyway, so think of it as a rehearsal in advance."

I felt terrible for my best friend. After struggling with myself for a long time, I finally gritted my teeth and nodded.

Just like that, I watched with my own eyes as my boyfriend, who was supposed to be the best man, became my best friend's "groom."

At the wedding, Blake held Noelle's hand, his eyes filled with affection. When the officiant asked whether he was willing, he answered even more firmly than he had when he proposed to me.

I kept telling myself not to take it seriously, that it was just an act and I should not overthink it. That was what I believed—until after they exchanged rings.

The officiant smiled and said, "You may now kiss the bride."

The crowd instantly started cheering, urging them to kiss.

Blushing, Noelle hurriedly reassured me. "Dawn, don't worry. We'll fake it with the camera angle."

I believed her. But in the very next second, Blake lifted her chin and deeply kissed her for real in front of everyone.

Behind Closed Doors

The moment he kissed her, the entire venue exploded with excitement.

It wasn't a fake angle, and it definitely was not a quick, harmless peck either. It was a deep, passionate kiss, lips and tongues tangling together.

I froze where I stood, my face draining of all color.

"Oh my god… are they really just acting?" one of the bridesmaids beside me whispered softly. "They're way too into it."

Indeed, they were way too into it, so much so that even I almost started believing they were the real couple.

Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd below the stage, and someone shouted, "One more!"

Noelle hurriedly pushed Blake away and turned toward me with a flushed face. But she had barely opened her mouth when Blake grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her again.

I lowered my head and stared at myself in the bridesmaid dress, bouquet still clutched in my hands. Tears nearly spilled from my eyes.

The unbearably long kiss finally ended.

Noelle immediately ran over to me. "Dawn, I'm sorry. I really didn't know…"

Before she could finish, Blake grabbed her wrist and pulled her protectively behind him. "Dawn, it was just acting. You agreed to this from the start. You can't blame Noelle."

He said it with such a straight face that I suddenly seemed like the unreasonable one.

Noelle quickly added from the side, "Dawn, Blake and I really don't have anything going on. You're the one he loves."

'The one he loves?'

He knew perfectly well I would be hurt, yet he still kissed another woman right in