When My Groom Married My Dying Best Friend

At the wedding, my best friend was stepping in as the bride. My fiancé knelt before her with the engagement ring intended for me.

"Valerie, you have your whole life ahead of you. Charlotte's time is running out. Let's give her this wedding," he pleaded.

Charlotte, my best friend, shed tears dramatically, yet without hesitation, slipped my ring onto her finger. The crowd erupted in celebration, while I, the supposed bride, stood alone, feeling like I was the punchline of a cruel joke. I stayed calm and decided it was time to end this.

"Fine," I said coolly. "If you enjoy being 'the other woman,' then go ahead. I'm done."

My decision visibly shook Ricardo, who glanced at me with furrowed brows.

"Valerie, what are you talking about? I'm just planning to spend a few months with Charlotte, to fulfill her final wish."

"We were once close friends, Valerie. Are you really going to let me leave this world with regrets?" Charlotte asked, feigning a deep sorrow, as if this situation was entirely my doing.

"You said it yourself, that was in the past. I, Valerie Davis, don't associate with women who enjoy being someone's mistress," I replied with a cold smile, severing any ties between us.

"You've always liked to take what I discard, haven't you? And now, feigning a terminal illness just to snatch a man who isn't worth it? Are you really that desperate?" I continued, my voice dripping with disdain.

The people around us began murmuring, indulging in the spectacle.

"Wow, she's quite skilled at climbing the ranks," someone commented, referring to Charlotte.

Charlotte's face flushed with embarrassment.

"Valerie, I know you're upset with Ricardo for helping me fulfill my wish, but I truly am sick. Can't you just let me have this one thing, for old times' sake?" Charlotte said, pretending to be magnanimous, as if I were the villain in their story.

The crowd began buzzing with comments about fate and justice.

Charlotte's face shifted from pale to a sickly shade of green as she glanced helplessly at Ricardo, tears welling up in her eyes. Her performance was worthy of an award.

But Ricardo, naive and blinded, shielded her behind him. "Valerie, when did you become so heartless? You know Charlotte can't handle any stress. Why go out of your way to aggravate her? Will you only be satisfied when she's dead?" he barked at me while gently patting her back, trying to soothe her.

"Ricardo, don't be angry with Valerie. If she doesn't want to agree, then just let me die alone and forgotten. It's all my fault," Charlotte said, playing the self-sacrificing martyr.

Ricardo's anger only grew, "Valerie, after all these years together, I never thought you'd be so petty. Charlotte's genuinely sick, and you just keep slandering her."

He released Charlotte for a moment and reached for my hand, but I sidestepped him and delivered a sharp slap across his face. The sound echoed through the hall, silencing the room.

Ricardo