He Called Me ‘Jealous’ While She Hanged Off Him in a Bridal Party Chapter 01
My boyfriend Cody Barlow’s best friend is a girl who never shuts up about body positivity. So when she
showed up at our wedding, she insisted he wear matching outfits with her.
They were both standing there in outfits so trashy I was literally shaking. Cody couldn’t have cared less. “We’re making a
statement. Why can’t you be more like Tiffany? Loosen up a little. God, you’re so dramatic.”
I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “That’s your idea of ‘loosen up‘? Like when she got wasted, started
screaming about ‘freeing her soul,‘ then stripped and shoved all her clothes into your hands?”
Tiffany Callahan threw her arm over his shoulder.
“We’re just friends. Don’t make it weird. Besides, real women don’t get all uptight and prissy like you.”
Just as I opened my mouth to fire back, the officiant let me know the ceremony was about to start.
I looked at the man I’d loved for ten years. I took a deep breath, ready to give him one last chance.
Cody just smirked and shook his head. “You threw
away a fortune for me. Walked away from your family’s money like it was nothing. You love me that much–so what’s a little thing like this, right? You can deal with it.”
I bit down until I tasted blood, my nails carving half–moons into my palms.
To marry him, I threw away an arranged merger with a billionaire family.
Now I got it. My parents were right. This whole relationship should’ve been left to rot.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
The officiant asked carefully, “Ms. Hayes? The ceremony’s in three hours. Shall we proceed?”
Cody watched me, smug, like he knew I’d never leave.
I felt dead inside. I spoke. “The wedding goes on.” But the groom was getting swapped out.
The Hayes family isn’t top–tier, but we’re well–known.
I gave up Nathaniel Sterling–the only son of the richest man in the country–for love.
My father said I’d regret chasing after some broke nobody. I didn’t believe him.
Now I did. A bitter laugh escaped me. I remembered
Nathaniel’s promise and sent him a text.
He replied instantly: [Finally come to your senses? Hold tight. I’m on my way.]
My eyes stung. He really was still waiting for me.
I looked up. Tiffany smirked, draped over Cody’s shoulder. “Dude, don’t forget about your bestie now that you’ve got a wife. I’m counting on you to make it big.”
“Relax. You and me? I’ve always got you.”
Their back–and–forth made me snort. I thought this was love. Turns out I was just a long–term meal ticket.
Too bad they had no idea who they were dealing with.
“Cody, I’m not marrying you. You need to leave.”
He scoffed, voice dripping with condescension. “You’ve been with me since I had nothing. You really think you can throw that away? And look at you–have you even been with another man besides me?”
“Stop with the drama. Tiffany and I really are just friends.”
Tiffany chimed in. “If we were actually into each other, do you think you’d even be here?”
She arched a brow at Cody. “Bro, don’t forget to give me the play–by–play like you used to.”
I froze. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Tiffany rolled her eyes. “My bro here used to come to me for tips on how to keep you happy in bed. Relax. Nothing ever happened–just, you know, verbal consultations.”
My head spun.
She went on. “I did it all for you. I know you’re so busy you didn’t have time to pick things out, so to keep things moving, your wedding gown and ring? All made to my sizes.”
I went rigid. It felt like something had ripped a hole straight through my chest–cold air rushing in where everything warm used to be.
No wonder the dress and ring never fit. They were never meant for me.
The ring was so tight it scraped my skin raw when I pulled it off. But that pain was nothing compared to the ache in my chest.
Cody glanced at the ring on the floor and the torn veil, frowning. “Your dad put me through hell, and I took it. This is nothing.”
“Besides, you were so happy when I gave them to you. You said you’d wear them forever. So why the sudden attitude?”
Tiffany jumped in, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Bro, your wife’s got a real attitude problem.”
“Since I’m your best bud, and best buds are basically family–I’ll step up and teach her a lesson.”
Cody rolled his eyes. “Don’t try to pull rank on me.
Tiffany fake–swung at him, and he laughed, holding up his hands. “Fine, fine. You’re the boss.”
Their casual interaction sliced through me like a knife.
But it was fine. I wouldn’t feel it anymore.
Tiffany finally stopped laughing and turned to me. “Here’s the deal. I’ll be the one lighting the unity candle with him. Then you can stand in the back and watch.”
I didn’t move.
She smirked. “Not into sharing the spotlight? Fine. Then you can hand me the rings–and maybe I’ll let you stay for the reception.”
Cody’s patience ran out. He reached for my arm. “It’s just for fun. Don’t make this weird for everyone.”
The hand I’d held a thousand times. Now it just felt foreign.
“Cody, did you forget? We never filed the marriage license.”