The Marriage That Never Existed novel Chapter 38

Chapter 2

Ryan didn’t hesitate for a moment. “Post them. You don’t know how heartbroken Jessica was when she was removed from the maid of honor list. Jessica saved my mom from the crash site–I can’t let her feel even the slightest unhappiness!”

Jessica lowered her eyelashes guiltily, forcing a smile to brush it off.

Steve’s face turned vicious as he slammed his pool cue on the table. “Bitch! How dare she bully Ryan’s precious girl–she deserves this!”

Intense pain shot through me, and I completely lost consciousness.

The next morning, I woke up in my own marital bed, my nightgown intact.

Ryan had already left for work, and a cup of three–year–routine chamomile tea was warming on the nightstand.

I hid under the covers and cried my heart out before shakily calling the wedding planning

company. “Don’t cancel Jessica’s bridesmaid order, but cancel the bride’s arrangements.”

The voice on the other end paused. “Are you sure, Ms. Carter?”

No wonder the planner was so surprised.

Jessica’s bridesmaid dress had a train larger than my wedding gown, covered in rhinestones.

She had even specified a 14–carat Oppenheimer pink diamond.

Initially, I didn’t know who she was.

I asked Ryan’s friends and learned she was Ryan’s childhood sweetheart and first love.

When I arrived at the planning studio, I caught Jessica trying to add a “reminiscing about innocent first love” segment to the wedding.

The planner looked at me with difficulty.

“Ryan says our memories are too precious–if we don’t share them at the wedding, he’ll regret it for the rest of his life.” Jessica deliberately emphasized “rest of his life,” casually pulling out a yellowed photo from her bag.

In the photo, teenage Ryan was bending down to kiss the top of her head.

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But in our three years together, he rarely kissed me.

I stared at that photo, my chest tight, and said through gritted teeth, “This isn’t appropriate. We won’t need Ms. Brooks as a bridesmaid.”

Jessica smiled instead of getting angry. “No problem. Weddings always have ‘surprises,‘ don’t they?”

Walking out of the planning studio, my hands shook with anger.

That night, Ryan even comforted me. “You did the right thing. The wedding should definitely follow your wishes.”

But when he thought I was asleep, he made a hushed phone call. “Just go along with her for now. I have ways to make her regret it. Don’t cry, Jessica.”

My heart clenched.

But if he loved Jessica so much, why did he keep saying he loved me and only wanted to marry me in this lifetime?

I suddenly remembered something the administrative director had let slip at a board meeting after drinking too much. “If Emily hadn’t helped Ryan secure his position as principal, how could that fake Jessica Brooks even teach at our school? If Principal Mitchell’s mother hadn’t forbidden

him from marrying Jessica Brooks, it would never have been Emily’s turn.”

My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe.

No wonder I was always the one proctoring exams while Ryan and Jessica went on out–of–town academic exchanges.

The open class demonstrations I stayed up all night preparing were assigned to Jessica to present, becoming her capital for showing off.

I fled home and dialed a number. “Do you still need simultaneous interpreters? David, I’d like to apply.”

My senior’s voice was delighted. “Emily, your oral interpretation skills have always been the best in our department. We’d be thrilled to have you!”

David paused, his tone becoming cautious. “But this project is in Europe and requires at least six months of residence. Have you thought it through?”

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I gripped my phone tightly, my gaze sweeping over the invitation Ryan had carelessly thrown on the coffee table.

Jessica’s name had somehow been added back to the maid of honor list.

Those men who had humiliated me were also in the groomsmen party.

The gold lettering stung my eyes.

I replied, “I’ve thought it through. The sooner, the better.”

After hanging up, I began packing.

When the cabinet full of scarves tumbled out, I suddenly realized they were just freebies from buying bags for Jessica.

With a bitter laugh, I threw them all in the trash.

When Ryan came home, he found me curled up on the sofa and frowned slightly. “Why are you sitting here? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

The stinging pain on my body reminded me that what happened in the pool hall wasn’t a dream.

I wearily hung my head. “Ryan, cancel all the online orders. I don’t want to use them anymore.”

Ryan froze, then noticed the trash can filled with the little accessories he’d chosen for me.