The Wedding Disaster and She Gave Me Freedom

4

Not long after Felicity left my place. Preston called.

His voice held a hint of subtle annoyance, but more than that, it was a condescending interrogation. “Sera, what did you say to Felicity? She came running to me in tears, saying you were sarcastic to her, that you said she… ‘couldn’t be seen in the light of day‘?”

Look at that, she wasted no time running to tattle.

I held my phone and walked to the window, watching the endless stream of headlights below. My voice was calm, tinged with just the right amount of hurt. “Preston, I was just comforting her, telling her it was okay that the invitations were misprinted, that you wouldn’t mind and I wouldn’t mind. Maybe… maybe it was the way I said it that made Felicity misunderstand?”

I paused, lowering my voice, a nearly imperceptible sob catching in my throat. “Or is it that, in your heart, you really think I’m the kind of person who would deliberately give her a hard time?”

Playing the victim to gain the upper hand–a trick I learned from Felicity herself.

Just as I expected, Preston was silent for a few seconds. He probably didn’t anticipate me turning the tables on him, and acting so “hurt” on top

of it.

He was used to me swallowing my anger when it came to him and Felicity. My little “emotional outburst” now probably surprised him, and maybe… even stroked his ridiculous male ego? Made him think I really did still care about him.

When he spoke again, his tone had softened considerably, carrying that usual, condescending reassurance. “That’s not what I meant. Felicity’s young and sensitive, you need to cut her some more slack. There’s a lot to do before the wedding, don’t let a little thing like this ruin your mood.”

A little thing.

In his eyes, Felicity’s tears were a big deal, while my feelings were always an insignificant little thing.

“I know,” I answered obediently, but my nails were digging deep into my palm. “You go ahead and take care of her. I’m fine.”

The second I hung up, the hurt expression on my face vanished, replaced by cold resolve.

Preston, go ahead and enjoy these last few days, living under the delusion that two women are fighting over you.

The day before the wedding, according to tradition, Preston and I were not supposed to see each other.

He certainly “stuck to tradition“, not even calling once the entire day. I assume he was with his “emotionally fragile” childhood sweetheart, doing some last–minute “comforting“.

Meanwhile, I secretly went to Linda’s studio for a final makeup trial and to confirm the schedule.

Looking at myself in the mirror, dressed in the pristine white wedding gown, I felt a momentary daze. This dress, I once believed I would wear it for Preston, that it held all my dreams of love and marriage.

Now, it was still beautiful, but it would bear witness to a complete severance and a new beginning.

“You look gorgeous, Sera,” Linda said, standing behind me and looking at my reflection, her eyes a little red. “Tomorrow, you have to be the most dazzling bride.”

“Thank you, Linda.” I said, squeezing her hand in sincere gratitude. Without her and Silas, I might not have had the courage to plan all of this.

“Don’t be so formal with me,” Linda said, patting my hand, her eyes sharp. “I’ve arranged everything. Tomorrow, all the signs, seating charts,

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Whoops, His Mistress Crashed Our Wedding. Mine Didn’t

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Chapter 4

and programs at the venue will have ‘Silas Croft as the groom’s name. The emcee’s script has been completely rewritten. I’ve seated the Calloways near the aisle, so it’ll be easier for them to… see every little detall.”

She leaned in. lowered her voice, a hint of excitement and satisfaction in her tone, “I even saved a ‘special seat‘ for Felicity, right next to Preston’s mom. Guaranteed a perfect view.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Linda, you’re really something…”

“Just giving them a taste of their own medicine,” Linda said with a raised eyebrow. “By the way, is Silas ready? He can’t drop the ball at the critical moment.”

“He’s fine,” I said softly, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. Silas had even secretly tried on the groom’s tuxedo, the fit was perfect. He said he had waited for this day for a very long time.

It was late when I left the studio. I had just gotten into the car when my phone rang. It was an unknown number.

I hesitated for a moment before answering.

Felicity’s voice came from the other end. Gone was her usual sickly–sweet tone, replaced by a vicious, triumphant glee she couldn’t suppress.

“Seraphina, the wedding’s tomorrow. Are you nervous?”

I couldn’t believe she still had the nerve to call me. My tone was cold, “What do you want?”

“Heh heh,” she chuckled, a sound like a snake hissing. “Nothing much, I just suddenly felt like telling you a secret. Do you know why Preston still wants to marry you, even though he’s in love with me?”

I didn’t say anything, just waited for her performance.

“Because of your family’s development plot on the Eastside, you i***t!” Her voice was dripping with mockery. “The Calloway Corporation

desperately needs that land for its next major project. Only by marrying you will Mr. Calloway hand over full control of the company to Preston.

Otherwise, why do you think he’s put up with you for all these years?”

My heart sank. Even though I had already given up on Preston, hearing this naked, transactional truth with my own ears still felt like being

stabbed with an icicle.

So, even this “socially suitable” marriage was just a carefully calculated business deal. I, Seraphina, was nothing but a stepping stone for

Preston’s climb to the top, from beginning to end.

“So?” I forced myself to remain calm, my voice devoid of any emotion. “What’s your point? That you’re not even worth as much as a piece of

land?”

“You!” Felicity was speechless for a moment, clearly not expecting me to fight back like that. She became furious with embarrassment. “Don’t you get cocky! Seraphina, let me tell you, even if you marry Preston tomorrow, his heart will always be with me! You’ll forever be just a pathetic, empty shell! I will always be by his side, watching you live a lonely, loveless life!”

“Is that so?” I laughed softly, the sound carrying through the phone to her, filled with endless sarcasm. “Well then… we’ll just have to wait and see. Felicity, I hope you’re still able to smile tomorrow.”

With that, I hung up before she could respond and then blocked the number.

Outside the car window, the city’s neon lights flickered, outlining a bustling yet cold skyline.

Land?

Interests?

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Whoops, His Mistress Crashed Our Wedding. Mine Didn’t

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Chapter

Very well.

Preston, you not only trampled on my feelings, you’re also after my family’s assets.

In that case, tomorrow, I’ll give you a “double happiness” wedding gift.

I took out another, encrypted phone and dialed Silas’s number.

“Silas, I need you to look into the Calloway Corporation’s detailed plans for the Eastside development plot, and… the state of their recent cash flow. I want to give Preston a ‘wedding gift‘ he will never, ever forget.”

Silas’s deep voice replied on the other end, “Understood. I’ve already got some leads. I’ll have the detailed information for you before

tomorrow.”