She Asked Me to Be Her Fake Fiancé at Her Ex’s Wedding… Then Kissed Me in Front of Everyone
Chapter 2
The wedding venue looked exactly like the kind of place Daniel Brooks would choose.
Expensive.
Perfect.
Pretentious.
A white stone estate surrounded by manicured gardens and hundreds of roses.
Olivia stared through the car window.
“You can still turn around.”
“I could.”
“You should.”
“I don’t want to.”
She looked at me.
“Are you nervous?”
“No.”
She laughed.
“You’re lying.”
“Maybe.”
I glanced at her.
She was wearing a dark emerald dress.
Her hair was pinned up.
She looked beautiful.
Too beautiful.
For a second, I forgot the entire plan.
Then she held out her hand.
I took it.
“Ready?”
She nodded.
We walked through the entrance together.
The conversations started immediately.
People turned.
Whispers spread.
Olivia’s shoulders tightened.
I squeezed her hand.
“Breathe.”
“You’re enjoying this.”
“A little.”
Then Daniel saw us.
He was standing beside the altar.
His smile disappeared.
Olivia saw him.
Her fingers tightened around mine.
“Don’t let go.”
“I won’t.”
Daniel walked toward us.
“Olivia.”
She smiled.
“Daniel.”
His eyes moved to me.
“Who’s this?”
She didn’t hesitate.
“My fiancé.”
I held out my hand.
“Ethan Carter.”
Daniel stared at the ring.
Then at Olivia.
“How long?”
Olivia smiled.
“Long enough.”
His jaw tightened.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
His bride, Madison, approached.
She was beautiful.
Confident.
And clearly uncomfortable.
She looked at Olivia.
“You look… happy.”
Olivia nodded.
“I am.”
I felt her hand tremble in mine.
Daniel’s mother suddenly appeared.
She kissed Olivia’s cheek.
“What a surprise.”
Olivia smiled politely.
“You’re glowing.”
“Thank you.”
She looked at me.
“And you must be…”
“Ethan.”
“Oh.”
Her smile changed.
The kind mothers use when evaluating whether someone is worthy of their daughter.
“How did you two meet?”
Olivia answered.
“Work.”
I almost laughed.
Our relationship had never existed outside friendship.
But now every detail had to sound believable.
Daniel watched.
His expression was getting darker.
We moved toward our table.
Olivia sat beside me.
“I think he’s jealous.”
“Should I smile?”
“Please.”
I smiled.
She laughed softly.
“You’re terrible at this.”
“I’m an actor.”
“You’re not.”
“I could be.”
She leaned closer.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Maybe.”
The ceremony began.
Olivia stared straight ahead.
But I could feel her hand shaking.
Halfway through, she whispered:
“I can’t do this.”
“You already are.”
“I thought I could.”
“Look at me.”
She did.
“Just focus on me.”
Her breathing slowed.
For the rest of the ceremony, she didn’t look at Daniel once.
When the vows ended, everyone applauded.
Then came the reception.
Music.
Champagne.
Dancing.
Daniel approached again.
“Can I talk to you?”
I stood.
Olivia grabbed my arm.
“No.”
Daniel looked annoyed.
“I need to say something.”
“To her?”
“Yes.”
Olivia looked at me.
Then nodded.
“I’ll be right back.”
She and Daniel walked outside.
I watched through the window.
They argued.
Daniel gestured.
Olivia shook her head.
Then suddenly Daniel grabbed her wrist.
I stood.
Before I could reach them, Olivia pulled free.
She returned.
Her face was pale.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Olivia.”
“He asked me to come back.”
I stared.
“What did you say?”
“No.”
She took a breath.
Then looked around the room.
Everyone was watching.
Daniel.
His new wife.
His family.
Their friends.
Olivia turned toward me.
And before I could ask what she was doing, she grabbed my jacket.
Pulled me closer.
And kissed me.
In front of everyone.
The room went silent.
I froze.
Then, without thinking, I put my hands around her waist.
She pulled away.
Her face was flushed.
She whispered:
“Sorry.”
I stared.
“For what?”
“I told you it was part of the plan.”
“That was not in the plan.”
She smiled nervously.
“It is now.”
Across the room, Daniel stared at us.
But he wasn’t angry.
He looked terrified.
Because he had recognized the ring on my finger.
His face lost all its color.
