The Bride Wasn’t Her

I suddenly stepped closer to her. "Calling off the wedding wasn't about exposing you. I just needed you to help me put on a little act."

The moment I remembered what happened in the original story, how she took revenge on the Moore family for my sake and ultimately died alongside Christine, a sharp ache rose in my chest. Emotion rippled through my eyes.

Haylee grabbed my wrist firmly, her gaze unwavering.

"If you can't let this go, I can…"

I looked at her seriously.

"Haylee, listen carefully. The person I want to marry is you."

The livestream comments instantly exploded across the screen in pink:

[HOLY SH*T! Did I hear that right? The supporting male lead is publicly proposing to the female boss?!]

[Forget the male and female leads for now. The way Boss Lady is looking at him is insane. I'm shipping this immediately!]

[??? The hell is wrong with you people? Stay in your own lane and ship quietly, okay?]

When we returned to the stage, the emcee smiled and announced, "Now, please exchange rings."

I picked up the ring, but the moment I tried sliding it onto her finger, it stopped dead at the knuckle.

She awkwardly tried to force it on, but I caught her hand.

Whispers immediately spread through the audience.

"What's going on? The ring size is wrong?"

"How do you mess up something this important? The Shane and Moore families are way too careless."

At the main table below the stage, Christine's parents instantly turned pale. They exchanged a look, and both of them saw the same panic reflected in the other's eyes.

So they had known about Christine's ridiculous stunt all along. They had simply chosen to cover for her.

My father frowned deeply as he looked at me with concern.

I gave my parents a reassuring glance, silently telling them not to worry.

Then, under the uncertain stares of everyone in the room, I reached out and pulled the mask off Haylee's face.

"Oh my god! The bride isn't Christine!"

"Then where's the real bride?!"

Christine's father was the first to react.

"What... what is the meaning of this?! Who are you exactly?!"

Mrs. Moore's face turned ashen as she shouted toward the crowd of guests and reporters below the stage.

"Everyone calm down! Where's security? There's been a minor issue with the wedding. It'll be resolved immediately!"

The livestream comments flooded the screen again:

[This is so satisfying! Front row seats here, selling sunflower seeds and peanuts!]

[According to the original plot, the one who was supposed to panic on stage was Tony. Now it's the Moore family instead. The irony is beautiful.]

My father looked at me worriedly. "Tony, what exactly is going on? Where's Christine?"

I turned and gave my parents another calming look.

Then, in front of the shocked crowd, I took Haylee's hand.

"Thank you all for attending the wedding of Haylee and myself today. Due to a small oversight, the wedding posters and rings were prepared incorrectly."

I paused before continuing calmly.

"But it's nothing serious. The wedding will continue."

Beside me, Haylee immediately lifted her chin proudly, as if declaring her claim over me in front of the entire room.

Mr. Moore trembled with rage.

"Tony, have you lost your mind?! Do you even understand what you're doing?!

"You actually found some random woman to replace Christine? Where does that leave the Moore family's dignity?!"

Mrs. Moore rushed over as well, lowering her voice urgently.

"Tony, stop fooling around! You and Christine grew up together. Even if she skipped the wedding today because she was being childish, you can't treat the marriage alliance between our families like a joke!

"Stop the wedding right now. We'll settle this privately."

I ignored them completely and handed the microphone to Haylee beside me.

"Haylee, tell everyone why you're standing here today."

Haylee met my eyes and smiled. Her voice was calm and clear.

"I'm standing here today because Christine paid me one hundred dollars to impersonate her at this wedding."