200K Substitute Bride: My Fiancée's Regret Spiral

Jessie's smile froze, and she just stood there, like her brain had gone blank, her brows knitting tight.

"What the hell are you talking about?" she spat.

She stepped right up to me, her voice sharp with arrogance. "If you're really married, then why isn't your wife here with you?"

I gave her a mocking smile. "She's on a work trip. Not everyone's some lazy deadweight who needs a man to survive."

Before Jessie could blow up, Oliver's eyes went red, tears springing up on the spot. "Mr. Searle, how could you say that about Jessie?"

His deliberate pause made Jessie turn on me, her eyes full of disappointment and anger.

"Callum, you're being so bitter and mean right now. Who would even want you except me? Listen. Stop with the hard-to-get act. It just makes me look down on you even more!"

I was done holding back. "Security! Are you deaf or what? Get these two out of here!"

The guards rushed over, grabbed them from both sides, and dragged them away.

Jessie thrashed and screamed, her face twisted in rage. "Callum! How dare you do this to me? You'll regret it!"

That same night, I got a text from an unknown number.

"Did you really think you could take Jessie away from me? Guess what? She never cared about you. She's already on vacation overseas with me, living her best life."

I didn't need to guess who sent it. I blocked the number immediately.

Around then, Alan and Erica still wouldn't give up. They continued to show up at my door, but I shut them out every single time.

…

A week later, I checked Mabel's landing time and drove to the airport to pick her up.

The moment I stepped into the international arrivals hall, I ran right into Jessie and Oliver. They were both a little tanned, wearing sunglasses, looking like they'd just come back from an easy vacation.

Jessie spotted me and gave me a smug grin. "I knew you couldn't let me go. You even came all the way here to pick me up."

I didn't bother answering and just stared at her like she'd forgotten to bring half her brain.

Oliver jumped in with that fake-sweet tone of his. "Come on, Mr. Searle, don't be mad. Jessie didn't mean to leave you behind. You're her fiance. You should be more understanding."

Jessie clearly loved hearing that. She tried to loop her arm through mine, but I shifted out of reach before she could touch me.

She didn't get angry. If anything, she looked even more smug, convinced I was just throwing a tantrum.

"Alright, cut it out. Once we get our marriage registered, I'll make it up to you with an even fancier honeymoon, okay?"

I walked right past the two of them and rushed toward Mabel as she came out, wrapping my arms around her. "Welcome home, babe."

Mabel hugged me back and tipped her head up to press a soft kiss against my cheek.

Behind me, Jessie's smug smile vanished in an instant.

There was a moment of stunned silence, then she exploded, furious and humiliated. "Callum Searle! Are you done with this ridiculous show?"

She stormed toward us and jabbed a finger at Mabel. "You seriously hired an actress just to piss me off? Nice performance. How much did he pay you? Name your price. I'll give you ten times more, and you can get lost right now!"

Mabel stepped in front of me, blocking me from view, her eyes going dark and her whole vibe turning icy.

I grabbed her arm and moved to stand beside her, watching as Jessie's face twisted with anger. "Jessie, weren't you dying to meet my wife?"

I looped my arm through Mabel's and gave a wide smile. "Let me introduce her. This is my wife, Mabel Jones."

Jessie's face went pale. "It's you?"