Switching Brides: I Never Said You Were the One

"To think I still helped secure funding for her company at your request. She's nothing but an ungrateful wretch. I'll have my assistant, Hayden Callahan, pull the investment first thing when I get back.

"But honestly, it works out perfectly. After you resign, you can come straight to my company as chief researcher. A lot of my staff are in awe of your subculturing technique, and they've all been saying they want to meet you."

I felt a warmth spread through my heart as I looked at the woman standing up for me with such righteous indignation. She was Aurelia Swanson, the heiress of Swanson Group, and the childhood friend who had grown up beside me my entire life.

The current head of the Swanson family and my parents had been close friends from the same generation. The Swansons had ultimately chosen to venture into business, while my parents chose to dedicate their lives to science.

Over the years, Aurelia had gradually taken over the family enterprise. Gwen's company would never have grown into what it was today without her help.

With that thought, I finished changing into the new suit and nodded. "No problem. But more importantly, is everything ready on the wedding side?"

Aurelia's pretty face flushed red. Somewhat shyly, she replied, "Don't worry, everything is all set. My parents will be flying back from abroad too. It's been so many years since they last saw you, and they've been talking about you nonstop."

I felt all warm and fuzzy inside. Ever since my parents passed, Aurelia's parents had treated me like their own son. Years ago, they'd reached out to me with an offer, hoping I'd come work for Swanson Group.

But back then, I had been blinded by Gwen's sweet words and false tenderness, so I had deliberately kept my distance from them.

After this wedding, though, everything would be different.

…

Soon, the day of the wedding arrived.

I had barely reached the hotel entrance when I spotted Gwen and Keith already waiting there.

"Gwen, you were right! Ernest really did show up after all!"

"Of course. He's nothing but my lapdog. Marrying me is the greatest honor of his pathetic life—you think he could ever bring himself to turn me down?"

With that, Gwen sauntered over to me, hands on her hips and her chin held high. "Ernest, weren't you so tough and determined to break up with me? So what are you doing here at the wedding now?"

I frowned slightly and replied flatly, "I'm here to get married, obviously."

Gwen's smile grew even more smug at this. She looked completely unsurprised, like she'd expected it all along.

"I knew it. We've been together for ten years, after all. Seeing as you've served me decently enough, I might consider giving you one more chance. Just sign this prenup, and I might just find it in me to forgive you and walk down the aisle with you."

I glanced at the prenup Gwen handed over. One look was all it took for my vision to go dark.

The prenup specified that I was to voluntarily forfeit all my assets. After the wedding, all property would belong to Gwen. If I ever filed for divorce, I would have to pay ten million dollars in reputational damages.

She even went after the patents for my research achievements, demanding they be transferred to Blanchard Group.

In other words, it wasn't so much a prenup as it was a set of chains.

"I've made my decision," I said calmly.

My quick decisiveness brought a look of pure glee to Gwen's face. "I didn't expect you to be so sensible. Now hurry up and have someone bring the wedding dress over."

"Why would you need a wedding dress?"

Gwen rolled her eyes at me smugly. "You know perfectly well why. I'm the bride—what else would I wear if not a wedding dress?"

I found it laughable. "Since when did I ever say the bride was you?"

"Spare me the reverse psychology crap. It's not like anyone else would ever marry a guy like—"

Before Gwen could finish, a stretch Lincoln pulled up at the hotel entrance. The driver opened the rear door, and Aurelia stepped out in a wedding dress.

She immediately took my hand and said, "Honey, it took a little longer than I thought to change into this dress. I hope you haven't been waiting long."