I Crashed My Wife's Wedding Chapter 1

My wife was heading back to her hometown to see family, and I realized she’d forgotten the specialty teas I’d bought for her mother.

I rushed over to bring them to her, only to see her stepping out of a car in a full-length wedding gown.

Waiting for her, beaming, was Liam, the guy she’d grown up with.

They took each other’s hands, smiling into each other’s eyes like a pair of blissful newlyweds. It wasn’t until she spotted me standing a dozen yards away that Olivia finally, frantically, dropped his hand.

“His mother is critically ill,” she explained, her voice tight. “Her only wish was to see him get married. I’m just doing a good deed, Ethan.”

I managed a faint smile. I walked over and gently guided her back toward Liam, then joined the small crowd that was starting to form, clapping along with them.

“So, when’s the baby due?” I called out, my voice booming unnaturally. “I want to make sure I get a gift!”

* * *

My enthusiastic cheer seemed to break the tension, and the small gathering of onlookers laughed and grew larger. Liam ushered the cheering guests into a nearby house before finally walking back to me.

“Don’t be angry, Ethan,” he said, his expression a performance of sincerity. “Olivia and I are just putting on a show.”

“If you’re really this uncomfortable with it, I can go explain it to everyone right now,” he offered.

I nodded, gesturing for him to go ahead and clear things up.

But Liam just stood there, frozen.

Olivia shoved him behind her, glaring at me. “It’s just a favor, that’s all. Do you have any compassion, Ethan? Are you ever going to stop being so damn jealous?”

I smiled again, a wider, emptier smile this time. “Well then, congratulations to the happy couple. I wish you a long and happy marriage.”

Olivia’s face turned pale. She grabbed my arm and dragged me into a corner, away from the others.

“Ethan, what the hell is your problem?”

I didn’t say anything.

Yesterday was my birthday. I had planned a whole evening for the two of us, a quiet celebration. But she had called me in a panic, telling me her mother had had a medical emergency and she had to go home immediately. I’d offered to take time off work to go with her, but she refused, saying she didn’t want me to jeopardize my job.

And what was the result? The “mom” she was so worried about was Liam’s mother.

While I was sick with worry for her, she was here, playing bride with her childhood best friend.

Looking at the wedding dress she was wearing, how perfectly it fit, I realized this wasn't a spontaneous act of kindness. This wedding must have been planned for a long, long time. A bitter, acidic feeling began to spread through my chest.

She, however, thought I was just throwing a tantrum. “I already told you, I’m just helping Liam out. You don’t have to be so petty.”

I shook my head. “You’ve got it all wrong.”

“After the reception’s over, the three of us should go down to the courthouse together,” I said, my voice eerily calm. “We’ll get our divorce certificate, you two can get your marriage license. It’ll save everyone a lot of time and effort.”

The word “divorce” made her freeze, her mouth falling slightly open.

Just then, Liam walked over, supporting a frail-looking older woman by the arm.

“Olivia, honey, Mom was worried when you didn’t come back inside. She wanted to see you.”

The woman, who I assumed was Liam’s mother, was stooped over, coughing into her fist. She looked up at Olivia with a gaze full of adoration.

“You’re such a good girl, Olivia. Liam, you better treat her right from now on. Oh,” she said, her eyes landing on me. “Is this a friend of yours?”

As Liam’s mother looked me over with curiosity, Olivia rushed to explain.

“He’s nobody, Mom. Just a stranger who stopped to ask for directions. It’s windy out here, you should go back inside before you catch a chill.”

I heard the easy, familiar way she called the woman “Mom,” and a humorless laugh escaped my lips. I turned and started walking away.

Olivia looked like she was about to follow me.

But then Liam’s voice cut through the air. “It’s almost time for the ceremony to start. Let’s get inside, all our friends and family are waiting.”

A moment later, the sound of cheering and car horns erupted behind me.

Olivia didn’t follow.

Of course she didn’t. No matter the situation, her choice was never going to be me.