200K Substitute Bride: My Fiancée's Regret Spiral

Jessie's mother, Erica Fielder, was the first to react. She rushed up to the altar without a single thought for how she looked and yelled, "What is going on? Who are you?"

Jessie's father, Alan Clarke, looked like he was seconds from blowing up.

He whipped around to the frantic guests and reporters and barked, "Quiet! There's been a minor issue with the ceremony. We'll take care of it right now!"

What a spectacle.

In my last life, I was the one freaking out at the altar, but this time, it was Alan's and Erica's turn.

Startled by all the chaos, Mom shot to her feet, her eyes locked on me. "Callum, what's going on?"

I turned toward her and Dad, trying to steady them with a calm look.

With the whole room staring, I took Mabel's hand. "Thank you for coming to witness my wedding with Mabel Jones. There was a small mix-up with the poster and the rings because of an oversight."

I paused, then added, "But it won't affect anything. We're moving forward."

Mabel lifted her chin beside me, standing tall and taking all the attention without flinching.

Erica glared at me, shaking with rage. "Callum Searle, are you out of your mind? Do you even know what you're doing?"

Alan rushed over and hissed, "Callum, stop this! End the ceremony right now!"

I ignored them both and offered the microphone to Mabel. "Mabel, tell everyone why you're standing here."

Mabel and I shared a smile before she spoke, steady and clear. "I'm up here because Jessie paid me 200,000 dollars to stand in for her at this wedding."

The whole venue erupted.

"What? She paid someone to get married for her?"

"Oh my God, has Jessie completely lost it?"

The moment the truth came out, Alan and Erica went ghost-pale.

That was when Dad snapped. He jabbed a finger at Alan and shouted, "You Clarkes are unbelievable! Jessie actually treated Callum's future like a joke. You've gone way too far!"

Mom's eyes flashed with fury. She rushed up to the altar and pulled me behind her, glaring at the Clarkes. Her voice came out ice-cold. "Callum isn't marrying Jessie. From now on, we're done with the Clarkes!"

Erica finally panicked when she realized the marriage was about to fall through.

"Callum, Jessie was being immature and reckless. I'll call her right now and have her apologize to you."

I let out a humorless laugh. "Go ahead. I'll give her one last chance. If she actually picks up, I'll pretend none of this happened."

Mabel's hand tightened around mine.

I leaned toward her ear and whispered, "Relax. Jessie's not coming back."

Erica clung to that last bit of hope and called Jessie again and again.

She tried three times, and each call went to the same automated voice. "Sorry, the person you're trying to reach is unavailable."

I pulled a dramatic look of disappointment. "Looks like Ms. Clarke has no plans to return. Security, please remove anyone who isn't part of this wedding."

Security dragged Alan and Erica out as reporters swarmed them, shoving cameras in their faces.

Mom held my hand without asking a single question. She just kept saying, "Callum, whatever you decide, your dad and I are on your side."

Dad gave my shoulder a firm pat.

Warmth hit me hard.

In my last life, I insisted on marrying Jessie and fought my family until everything fell apart. After I died, Mom and Dad seemed to age overnight.

I wasn't going to make the same mistake again. And Jessie, the one who started it all, wasn't getting off easy.

As soon as the ceremony ended, I called my assistant. "Cut every partnership with Clarke Group and pull all of our funding. Not a single dollar stays."