Hide‑and‑Seek: I Walked In On My Fiancé and Best‑Friend’s Secret

Chapter 2

For the next week, I acted as if nothing had happened, going to and from work as usual.

I simply closed the joint account with Asher and transferred my share of the money to my private account.

I didn't argue or make a scene; I was just quietly removing every trace of Asher from my life.

Aria had been coming over to my place a lot lately.

Under the pretext of being my maid of honor, she brazenly inserted herself into my life.

That Sunday afternoon, she was sprawled on my sofa in a low‑cut top. The Van Cleef & Arpels carnelian necklace around her neck was so dazzling it hurt my eyes.

I recognized it.

Last month, 18,000 dollars had been charged to Asher's credit card. He explained that it was a business trip expense he had advanced for the company, and that the Finance Department hadn't processed his reimbursement yet.

Turns out, his "reimbursement" was hanging around my best friend's neck.

Aria flaunted the necklace at me. "Nova, no offense, but Asher is such a cheapskate. You're getting married soon, and he hasn't even bought you any decent jewelry. Look at mine, a poor guy who's chasing me scrimped and saved to buy it. It may be cheap, but a man who's willing to spend money on you is the one who truly loves you."

She lied without batting an eye.

Asher walked out of the kitchen carrying a plate of sliced fruit. When he heard this, his eyes darted away awkwardly. But he didn't say a word. He simply slid the fruit plate toward Aria and said softly, "Have some fruit."

Their eyes met, lingering and hot.

I pretended not to see and took a sip of water.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

My custom‑made wedding gown had arrived.

Before I could even unwrap it, Aria had already exclaimed and torn open the garment bag. "Wow! It's gorgeous!"

By the time I finished taking a call in the bedroom and came out, the scene in the living room made me laugh in angry disbelief.

Aria had actually put on that wedding dress worth 10,000 dollars. Holding up the skirt, she spun around in front of Asher, deliberately thrusting out her chest, and cooed, "Asher, look! Who looks better in this, me or Nova?"

The air went still for two seconds.

Asher swallowed, his gaze glued to Aria's bare shoulders and cleavage. His voice came out strained. "You look... really good."

After a pause, he added, backpedaling, "But Nova is my bride. She's the most beautiful."

Aria pouted, turned to me, and said in that sickly‑sweet, fake‑innocent way, "Nova, I just couldn't help trying it on. You're so nice. You won't be mad at me, right?"

I looked at her, and rather than getting angry, I laughed.

I walked over, picked up the dust bag from the sofa, and said airily, "Of course I'm not mad. You like it? Then it's yours."

Aria was stunned. "You're giving it to me? But this is your wedding dress!"

Asher frowned too, stepped forward, and grabbed my hand. "Nova, don't be petty and make jokes like that."

I shook off his hand, looked him in the eye, and said slowly and deliberately, "I'm not joking. It's just a thing. If I want to give it away, I will. After all, we're best friends."

Asher's expression froze, thinking I truly didn't care.

But behind him, Aria smugly raised an eyebrow at him.

I looked at them and felt nothing but calm.

'Take it. I'm not even keeping the guy. What's one wedding dress?'