Billionaire Bride: Vows & Vengeance

It was the happiest day of my life.

I sat quietly in my bedroom as they helped me into my white dress. It was perfect—every detail. The designers, the fabric, every single brand I had ever dreamed of—I was finally wearing them.

The sky outside was bright and beautiful, just like I’d always imagined. We were in my favorite part of the city, on the land I’d always dreamed of getting married on.

Hawaii.

Everything felt like magic. This was going to be the perfect day. The day I had dreamed of since I was a little girl.

The day I would finally marry the man I had loved for ten long years.

I smiled to myself, breathing in the moment.

It’s a perfect day, I thought.

My bridesmaid—and best friend—Bethany gently adjusted my veil, her hands trembling just slightly with excitement.

“Wow,” she said, smiling at me through the mirror. “I still can’t believe you and Christian are finally getting married. After ten years! That’s amazing. You two started dating in high school, right?”

I nodded, grinning. “Yeah. It’s been a long journey. I really waited for this day… waited for him. It took a lot of convincing, but here we are.”

Bethany laughed softly. “Now you’ll have the wedding, the kids, and you’ll run the company together. A real dream.”

“I know,” I said, my voice cracking a little. “I’m so happy you’re here to witness this, Bethany. You’ve been with me through everything.”

“Thank you,” she said, touching my shoulder. “I’m honored to witness such a beautiful union.”

Tears filled my eyes. “Stop it,” I whispered. “I’m going to cry.”

And I did. Quiet, happy tears streamed down my face, and Bethany carefully dabbed them away.

Then she glanced at the clock. “I should go put on my dress now. The wedding starts in thirty minutes.”

“Sure,” I said. “You’re free to go. Just don’t take too long.”

Once she left, silence filled the room. But my mind wasn’t still.

A strange feeling stirred in my chest—something almost mischievous.

I know I’m not supposed to see the groom before the wedding.

But suddenly, I really wanted to.

Just a quick peek. Maybe a hug… maybe more. Just something to make the moment feel even more real.

So I tiptoed to the door, heart pounding with excitement, and quietly slipped out.

I was going to surprise him.

Excitement was beating wildly in my chest.

As I got closer to his door, I started to hear voices.

Faint at first… then clearer. And with every step, something inside me began to twist. The words stopped me cold.

Words I never wanted to hear. Words I should have never heard.

“I wish it was you I was marrying today,” Christian said. “I wish it was your eyes I’d be looking into tonight... when I take you to bed on our wedding night.”

I froze.

“I wish it was you who would be the mother of my children,” he continued. “You—not her. You’re the one I want to run the company with. Not that—”

My heart pounded, and then I heard her voice.

Bethany.

My best friend. My bridesmaid.

“Don’t worry,” she said softly. “Just marry her. For a month. Two at most. Then we’ll get rid of her... and we can finally be together.”

My breath caught in my throat.

Bethany giggled, almost casually. “We’ll rule the company together, and no one will suspect a thing. You know the best part? I’ll be pregnant—just like her father always wanted. And with a son. We’ll give him the heir he’s been begging for. He won’t suspect anything.”

My knees nearly buckled.

“And this,” Christian said, “this is why I love you. You’re brilliant. Not like that dumb woman who keeps forcing herself on me.”

I pressed my palm to my mouth. I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe.

“I don’t love her,” he spat. “Why doesn’t she understand that?”

Then Bethany said, her voice dripping with devotion, “No one understands you like I do. You're perfect. We’ll get rid of her... together. And finally, it’ll just be us.”

Forever.

After hearing what they said, I felt like dying.

Bethany—my best friend. The one who’d stood by me when I lost everything. And Christian… the man I’d lifted from nothing. Who was he, even?

He was just my neighbor. A boy whose family had gone bankrupt. A boy with no future—until I gave him one.

It was me who begged my father to sponsor his business.

Me who stood by him when he had nothing.

Me who comforted him when he lost his mother.

Me who helped him build everything he has today.

And this… this was how he repaid me?

By betraying me with the only friend I ever truly trusted?

I laughed. A short, dry, bitter laugh.

It was pathetic. So pathetic.

The tears that stung my cheeks felt like fire—hot with humiliation.

But I wiped them away.

Then I smiled.

A wide, practiced, perfect smile.

I straightened my back, held my head high, and turned around.

I walked silently back to my bedroom.

I sat down in front of the mirror, picked up the makeup brush, and calmly began fixing the mess that betrayal had left on my face.

When Bethany walked in moments later, her voice was sweet and warm—like nothing had happened.

“Are you ready to go?” she asked.

I looked her dead in the eyes and smiled.

“Yes, Bethany. I’m ready to go.”