The Price of Betrayal
A week before the wedding, my fiancé Kendrick told me he would first marry his first love, Leonore Griffin before he could marry me.
He said Leonore’s mother had passed away and left a will asking them to marry.
“Leonore’s mother always hoped she would marry a good man. I’m just fulfilling her last wish. Don’t overthink it.”
But the company had already decided to launch the True Love Collection jewelry project on the day of our supposed wedding.
He impatiently said, “That’s only about a few billion dollars. Can it compare to the promise I made to Leonore’s mother? If few billions of dollars, go find someone else to marry.”
Faced with his cold words, I didn’t hesitate anymore. I immediately dialed my brother.
“Terrence, I need a new groom.”
Chapter 1
My brother, Terrence Benson, couldn’t believe his ears. “You’re calling off the wedding?”
“No, Kendrick is marrying someone else.”
you really
Wa
that
I forced a bitter smile.
To be with Kendrick, I had worked so hard, facing countless challenges from my family just to get their approval for our relationship. Moreover, I decided to launch the TrueLove Collection jewelry line on our wedding day.
But now, it was all in vain.
Terrence was silent for a long time before saying, “Well, that only leaves Phelps. His family’s been pushing him hard, and he’s been looking for
a marriage partner.”
I furrowed my brows. Phelps Cullen was my arch–nemesis. When I got engaged, he’d cursed that I wouldn’t get married, and now his words seemed to be coming true.
Time was tight. I could only agree; “Then it’s him. Ask him what he thinks. If it doesn’t work, I’ll figure something out.”
Terrence quickly blurted, “No need to ask. He’ll definitely agree.”
“Why?”
Before I could ask further, a group of people surrounded me.
“You must be Kendrick’s fiancée! You’re so beautiful!”
“You’re here waiting for Kendrick to finish work? He’ll be down soon. You two are so in love.”
I gripped the steering wheel, lowering my gaze to hide the self–mockery in my eyes.
Kendrick had introduced me to his colleagues and friends long ago. To everyone, we were the perfect couple.
But no one would expect that he was about to marry someone else,
After bidding them goodbye, Kendrick got into the car and handed me a necklace.
“This is from Leonore. Yesterday at the funeral, you made her uncomfortable, so you should apologize when you have a chance.”
The necklace was clearly a freebie that came with a genuine purchase. I had seen the purchase record of the real one in Kendrick’s shopping record a few days ago.
I quietly said, “I don’t want it.”
Kendrick frowned. “What’s your problem now? You were the one who stormed into the funeral and said I wasn’t her fiancé, embarrassing her. She didn’t even argue with you and still thought of giving you a gift. Are you really going to act like this?”
3:19 PM
<
Kendrick rolled down the window in frustration, letting the wind blow. After a while, seeing that I wasn’t trying to appease him, he said, “Forget
- it. I’ll accompany you to try on wedding dresses today, and I won’t hold it against you.”
This was the first time he’d backed down this year.
At the bridal shop, the staff greeted us.
“Mr. Collins, Ms. Benson, the twenty custom wedding dresses and suits you ordered are ready.”
But Kendrick wasn’t focused on the clothes. He was staring at his phone, looking rather anxious.
Noticing my gaze, he quickly put the phone away and looked at me apologetically.
“Alisha, something’s come up with Leonore. I need to leave right away. You go try on the dress. Just pick a suit for me. I trust your taste.”
With that, he rushed out and left me alone.
The staff hurried over and tentatively asked, “Ms. Benson, would you like to choose the suit yourself?”
I looked away and nodded.
I would choose a suit, but it would not be for Kendrick.
After all, my groom had changed.
After picking up my wedding dress, I headed home, thinking Kendrick would be gone all night. But to my surprise, he returned before dinner.
He walked up to me, holding a takeout box.
“I made a special trip to get you Sugarland Sweetery’s snack.”
I glanced at the box of doughnuts.
There were three less than usual, and one of them had a bite mark on it, clearly taken by someone.
Half an hour ago, I had seen Leonore’s post on Twitter.
The picture in her post was of the doughnut I held in my hand.
The caption read: [My husband buys me a late–night snack. He’s such a trooper. I love him!]
I set down my fork with a bitter smile, suddenly losing my appetite.
“I don’t want it. Throw it away.”
Kendrick shot me a displeased look but held back from reacting. He sat down beside me and started complaining.
“You don’t know how pitiful Leonore is today. My parents went to her house and yelled at her, saying her family had no money and couldn’t even throw a decent wedding. She was so upset she cried.
“Leonore just returned to the country and doesn’t have much money. Lwant to give the money you gave me over to her.”
His shameless words made me feel sick.
I looked at him sarcastically. “So now I’m supposed to organize your wife’s wedding?”
