Chapter 1
Chapter 1
On my wedding day, the childhood friend I had secretly loved for years asked me to elope with him.
He said, “Just take one step, and I’ll take care of the other 99.”
But when I arrived at the agreed location, Jared Donovan smiled and extended his hand to the group of friends behind him.
“See? She really ran away from her wedding for me! A thousand each, pay up–losers pay the price!”
After collecting the money, he affectionately hugged the bridesmaid who had driven me there.
ose Adaline, don’t flatter yourself,” Jared sneered at me. “The person I truly want to steal is her, not you. Did you seriously think I’d fall for a married woman?”
Then he got down on one knee and publicly proposed to my bridesmaid.
Seeing my pale face, he chuckled smugly. “If you want to go back and get married, go ahead. But I doubt the groom will take you back!”
What Jared didn’t know was that running away was just a playful twist I had planned for my wedding.
When Jared Donovan dropped to one knee and proposed to my bridesmaid, Cora Hope, I finally understood–it was all another elaborate scheme to humiliate me.
The confession text I received from Jared? It had been sent to me.
Cora, who had secretly encouraged me to pursue true love, had even driven me here herself.
But now, the two of them were embracing each other amidst the crowd’s cheers and blessings.
And I, dressed in a wedding gown, was left standing on the sidelines like a complete fool.
After a passionate kiss with Cora, Jared turned to his friends and demanded payment with a laugh.
“Look at this, Elizabeth really ran away from her wedding for me! Evidence and witnesses, all here. A thousand each–no backing out now!”
“Come on, Jared, with that victory speech? You got the girl of your dreams; of course, we owe you the cash!” one of his friends joked.
To Jared and his bride–to–be! May you live happily ever after!”
But after offering their blessings, they turned to glare at me with disdain.
“Elizabeth Blakely, should we applaud your courage for chasing love, or mock you for being dumb as a rock? You’re already married–what makes you think Jared would want you?”
“Exactly! Jared isn’t someone a woman like you can even dream of. Take a good look at yourself, will you?”
“We even placed bets that you wouldn’t show up! But here you are, proving yourself as desperate as ever. Pathetic, truly!”
I stood frozen, clutching the edge of my gown so tightly that I nearly ripped it apart.
Jared, pocketing his cash, strode toward me and bent slightly to observe my expression.
“Elizabeth, are you going to cry now?” he asked mockingly.
Then he turned to scold the group who had been ridiculing me.
“Hey, have a heart, will you? You’re about to make our dear bride cry. Today’s her big day–how could you say such things to her?”
For à moment, I lifted my head and thought this whole farce might just be a bad dream.
But the next second, Jared shoved a microphone into my hands.
With a grin, he said, “Elizabeth, today is a joyous day for me.
Everyone has given their blessings, but you haven’t.”
12:23
The Bride’s Awakening”
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Chapter 1
“No worries, though we’ve been friends for over a decade. You don’t need to give me money; just sing a song for me.”
His eyes gleamed with amusement. “How about Today You’re Marrying Me‘?”
I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t believe those words actually came out of his mouth.
The people around us clapped and cheered, praising Jared’s “romantic gesture.”
Cora Hope blushed, turning her face away shyly. “Who said I’d marry you? You’re so annoying.”
Jared blew her a kiss, then turned back to me, his tone commanding. “Sing, Elizabeth! Didn’t you used to love singing?”
“Exactly, Elizabeth! Back in school, didn’t you always secretly sing for Jared? What’s wrong now–shy in front of a crowd?”
fed nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, back then, you’d even practice at home just to sing for me. Come on, sing for my fiancée–it’s your blessing to us.”
“Elizabeth, sing!”
Jared started clapping, and his friends joined in, chanting loudly, “Sing! Sing!”
A wave of humiliation and rage crashed over me. My hands trembled so violently that I nearly dropped the microphone.
Back in school, Jared’s parents had divorced, and he was too scared to sleep alone at night. I’d sing him lullabies to comfort him.
