You Weren't on the Guest List, So I Showed Up as the Groom's Stepmother Chapter 1

Yesterday, I broke up with Julian. Today, we ran into each other at the "wedding of the century" he was throwing for his childhood sweetheart.

Taking in my flawless, head-to-toe styling, Julian's voice was low and icy:

"Are you here to congratulate me, or to crash the party?"

"Harper, Chloe and I didn't save a seat for you at our wedding reception."

I casually tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, flashing the diamond ring on my left hand:

"Oh, there's a seat for me. Right next to my husband."

He let out a harsh scoff, his gaze sweeping over the room full of elite guests:

"Do you even know the net worth of the people here today? You're not even fit to shine their shoes, and you dare talk this kind of nonsense?"

I didn't talk back. I just smiled and placed my red envelope of wedding cash on the reception table.

It didn't matter. In a few minutes, my husband would come out and personally escort me to the head table.

When the time comes, we'll see exactly who is shining whose shoes.

* * *

The red envelope was thick. Julian's face darkened the moment he saw it.

Before he could speak, Chloe stepped out from behind him. Seeing me, she covered her mouth in feigned surprise:

"Harper! What are you doing here?"

Her voice was overly sweet as she linked her arm through Julian's:

"It's such a shame. Julian said he absolutely wasn't inviting his ex, so he didn't save you a seat."

"But that envelope is terrifyingly thick. If people didn't know it was wedding cash, they'd think you brought a stack of your own resumes to hand out."

A chorus of mocking laughter erupted from the people standing nearby.

I remained completely unfazed, responding calmly:

"Since we're all family, it's only right to give a generous gift."

Hearing the word "family," Chloe seemed to misunderstand. Her perfectly curled eyelashes fluttered nervously.

Julian finally looked up from the envelope, his tone dropping to freezing:

"Where did you get that kind of money?"

"I earned it," I replied evenly.

Those three words made Julian's face look even worse.

He knew very well that two months ago, just to avenge some petty grievance for Chloe, he used his industry connections to fabricate evidence claiming my patented designs were stolen.

My company furiously sued me for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not only did I lose my job, but I was blacklisted from the entire tech industry.

My university stripped me of my honors, and Julian gave orders to blackball me from even getting minimum-wage gigs.

Right now, I supposedly couldn't earn a single dime through legitimate channels.

Catching onto his mood, Chloe's eyes lit up:

"Then we definitely can't accept this! Your situation is so difficult right now..."

"Julian, let's just find her a seat. Harper came all this way to hunt for a new sugar daddy. I don't have the heart to let her leave empty-handed."

Julian narrowed his eyes:

"No wonder you're dressed like that. So you're here fishing for a new meal ticket."

"Are you really that desperate? You couldn't even skip your ex-boyfriend's wedding?"

Hunting for a sugar daddy?

If my husband heard that, he'd probably flip this entire hotel upside down.

Thinking of this, I glanced toward the inner doors of the ballroom, but I didn't see him yet.

To Julian, however, my glance was solid proof:

"Harper, give it a rest. To even get an invite to my wedding, you have to be the CEO of a publicly traded company. Anyone with a shred of dignity wouldn't look twice at you."

My phone buzzed. Ignoring his insults, I opened the message.

"Are you there yet? Are you tired? I got held up, I'll be there in thirty minutes."

"If you don't want to wait, go inside first. Your seat is at the head table."

It was followed by a cute sticker of a serious-looking cat getting headpats.

I couldn't help but smile. I typed a quick reply, and when I looked up, I met Julian's livid glare.

"Don't trouble yourselves. My husband has already arranged my seat."

With that, I turned to walk into the ballroom.

I hadn't taken two steps before Chloe suddenly gasped:

"Ah! Why are you wearing that..."

Julian immediately lunged forward, his large hand aggressively swiping at my shoulder.

A sharp pain tore across my skin. I winced and turned around, shocked to see that he was holding the official bridal corsage!

But I definitely wasn't wearing that when I walked in!

Julian threw the corsage onto the floor, grinding his teeth in absolute fury:

"And you said you weren't here to crash the party!"

"You just have to humiliate Chloe and me, don't you?! You just can't stand seeing us happy!"

My shoulder throbbed intensely; it felt like it was bleeding.

I was about to explain that I didn't put it there, but Chloe cut me off with theatrical sobs:

"Harper, I know you're obsessed with Julian, but today is the wedding we've dreamed of since we were kids. How could you..."

"I never should have come back to the States! I should have just died in that plane crash!"

Right on cue, Julian pulled her into his arms, comforting her softly:

"Don't cry. You still have to change into your ceremony dress soon. What if you ruin your makeup?"

"I'll kick her out right now. Don't worry, my bride will only ever be you. Didn't we swear during the plane crash that we would never be separated again?"

Then, he glared at me viciously:

"Get the hell out of here!"

"Let me spell it out for you, Harper: We are broken up, and I have only ever loved Chloe! You will never, ever be my bride!"

This exact melodrama had played out countless times over the last six months.

In the past, I would have become hysterical. I would have smashed everything in sight, crying and screaming at him.

I never did any of those things! Why do you torture me just because of a few words from her?

I didn't book that doomed flight! I didn't send those texts cursing her to die! Why did you destroy my entire life without even listening to my explanation?

But now, all that resentment was completely gone. I didn't want to ask, and I didn't want to fight.

My heart only had room for my husband.

I hadn't seen him in two days, and I missed him terribly.

Enduring the pain in my shoulder, I shook my head:

"I was invited to attend this wedding. Why should I leave?"

Julian was enraged. He raised a hand to signal security:

"Still lying! Your name is absolutely not on my guest list!"

"Harper, the biggest regret of my life is meeting you. I never want to see your face again!"