I Wore Wrong Ring, I Ditched My Groom

Chapter 1

After ten years together, my CEO boyfriend finally proposed.

But when it came time to exchange rings, he slipped the one that was supposed to be mine onto the finger of a rising A-list actress instead.

"It's how the entertainment industry works. Before we officially announce the marriage, my female spokesperson has to wear the wedding ring first. It's called building hype. You're just a regular person. What's wrong with making a tiny sacrifice for my business empire?"

The entire room erupted.

That woman proudly held up her hand, showing off the massive ten-carat diamond sparkling on her ring finger.

I simply withdrew my hand and said calmly, "Alright. I get the rules."

On our wedding day, my boyfriend stood on the stage in a custom-made tuxedo, waiting for me.

Instead, I walked down the aisle arm in arm with the nation's most sought-after movie star, a man worth hundreds of billions.

Under my ex-boyfriend's shattered gaze, I smiled faintly.

"I forgot to tell you something. The princess of the capital's elite has rules too. Since you let someone else wear my wedding ring, then naturally, I should replace my groom with someone who has even more commercial value."

*****

Backstage in the dressing room after the proposal banquet, Nia Cooper deliberately stretched her left hand in front of me.

The ten-carat diamond on her ring finger sparkled so brightly it was almost blinding.

That was the engagement ring Edward Jones had originally prepared for me.

"Eleanor, I'm so sorry." Nia spoke in a sweet, innocent voice. "This ring is just a tiny bit too big for me."

My best friend, Yvette Halls, slammed the paper cup in her hand onto the floor.

"Nia, do you have any shame at all? That's the ring Edward bought to propose to Eleanor. Who the hell do you think you are? What makes you think you're worthy of wearing it?"

Edward strode into the room, immediately placing himself in front of Nia.

"Yvette, watch your mouth."

Nia instantly hid behind him, clutching his arm.

"Mr. Jones, please don't blame Eleanor's friend. This is all my fault. I told you Eleanor would be upset if I tried on the wedding ring for publicity, but you insisted."

She lowered her head, pretending to fiddle with the diamond ring.

"I'll take it off and give it back to Eleanor right now."

The ring caught on her knuckle. She deliberately tugged at it twice, then her eyes turned red.

"Mr. Jones, it's stuck. It really hurts."

Edward immediately grabbed her hand. "Don't force it off. What if you hurt your finger? How are you supposed to play the piano?"

Yvette laughed in disbelief. "Edward, are you seriously out of your damn mind? Today's your proposal ceremony with Eleanor. In front of all these reporters, you put her engagement ring on some actress?"

Edward turned to stare at me. "Eleanor, are you just going to let your friend scream like some uncivilized shrew?"

I looked at him. This was the man I'd loved for ten years.

Ten years ago, we sat in our tiny rented apartment, eating instant noodles together. He had slipped a soda can pull tab onto my ring finger, his eyes red as he swore that one day he'd work hard enough to buy me the biggest diamond ring in the world.

Now he was worth billions. And that ring was sitting on another woman's hand.

"Are you giving the ring back to me or not?" I asked quietly.

Edward casually straightened his suit jacket.

"Like I said, it's industry practice. Before we announce our marriage, my female spokesperson wears the wedding ring first. It's all part of the publicity. You're not a celebrity. Why can't you make one little sacrifice for my business?"

He pointed toward the staff members peeking through the doorway.

"Nia is an artist. Our company spent a fortune building. Using the proposal to boost her exposure could push our stock price up by three percent. Do you even understand what the bigger picture is?"

Yvette charged at him, ready to throw a punch.

I grabbed her before she could.

Behind Edward's back, Nia flashed me a smug little victory sign.

"Eleanor, you've been with Mr. Jones since he had nothing. So why are you suddenly so petty? You can't even tolerate something this small? No wonder Mr. Jones always says you two don't speak the same language anymore."

I looked away. "Alright. I get the rules."

Seeing me give in, Edward walked over and reached for my hand.

Just then, Nia suddenly let out a cry. "Ouch!"

Her body tilted as if she were about to fall.

Edward instantly pulled his hand back and caught her around the waist.

"What happened?"

"I twisted my ankle. It hurts so much."

Nia buried her face against his chest. Without a second thought, Edward scooped her into his arms.

Before leaving, he shot me an impatient look.

"Can you stop acting jealous all the time and grow up for once?"

He carried another woman away, leaving me standing there alone.

The staff around us whispered among themselves, while Yvette cursed furiously.

I lowered my head and stared at my empty ring finger.

My phone lit up. It was a text from the couture bridal boutique, reminding me to come in at two o'clock tomorrow afternoon for my wedding dress fitting.

I slipped the phone back into my bag without replying.