I Married My Childhood Friend Instead

I never thought I would see Edwin again under such circumstances. "Why did you suddenly come back?"

Edwin had dark rings under his eyes and looked like he had just rushed over right after his plane landed, but he still smiled when he replied, "I didn't tell anyone because I wanted to give everyone a surprise. The party hasn't ended, has it?"

I smiled. "No. You came at the right time." I circled my arms around his arm without another word and mimicked Grayson in making my announcement, "I'm taking this opportunity to inform everyone that Edwin and I have been together for four years, and we'll be getting married very soon!"

This time, everyone's applause was for me. I leaned in close to Edwin's ears to whisper an explanation as he tried his best to maintain calm despite being surprised by my actions.

Edwin was amused. "I didn't expect you to prepare such a wonderful surprise for me."

I blushed from the embarrassment, but to Grayson, it looked like I was whispering affectionately to Edwin about something intimate, which made me shy.

Grayson turned red with rage. "Aren't you going to explain this, Ella?"

Before I could say anything, Grayson leaned over to clutch his stomach as his expression contorted with pain. Monica quickly helped him to the table and started searching for painkillers in a fluster.

She was almost crying. "Why were you so silly, taking that drink on my behalf when you have a weak stomach?"

I added sarcastically, "Yeah. Why would you drink when you have a weak stomach? Serves you right for being in pain right now."

Grayson was infuriated. "Aren't you concerned to see me sick, Ella?"

I found this funny. Every time he suffered from such stomach cramps, I was always by his side to take care of him. I would get him food and medicine, and take care of his everyday needs. This time, he got sick for another woman. What did that have to do with me?

"Why should I be concerned about you? You're not my boyfriend. The only person I'm concerned about is Edwin."

"You…" Grayson was so furious that he did not even care about his stomach cramps as he quickly swallowed a few painkillers and grabbed my hand to leave the hall. He stopped only when he came to a garden without anyone else around.

"Are you done, Ella? All I did was help Monica out today. She's a proud person, and I just wanted to give her a livelier birthday party. Did you think about our future when you acted that way just now? You're just an ordinary employee. Do you really think you can marry someone like Edwin? Even if he likes you, there's no way you can be together when you come from different worlds!

"Be a good girl. Once this party is over, I promise to marry you if you give me some time, but you're not allowed to behave so intimately with Edwin from now on!"

All I did was bite down hard on my lip when I listened to him. I waited until he was done before slowly saying, "Is that all you want to say to me?"

Grayson was taken aback when he saw how red my eyes were. "You're allowed to cheat on me in public and act intimately with another woman in public, but I'm not allowed to? I even have to tolerate your behavior just because there's a status gap between us?"

He tried to explain in a fluster, "I didn't cheat on you. All I did was pretend to be her boyfriend. You shouldn't create a fuss over this—"

I slapped Grayson. "It's over between us, Grayson. Let's break up."