5. Lies Exposed

But India’s voice was fierce as she cut him off. “Marcus! I know you cheated on me. But did you lie to this woman to steal her from your best friend, who you said was like a brother, family to you?”

Marcus’s shoulders slumped. His eyes flicked to Denver, desperate for mercy. “It was a mistake. I never meant for any of this.”

Vanessa let out a brittle laugh. “You meant it enough to lie. You meant it enough to keep him in the dark and your fiancée, while stealing me from him.”

Denver clenched his fists. “You told me you were happy that I had finally found someone to love, Marcus. You lied. Is there anything about you that’s real?”

“Denver, I—” Marcus started, but the words faltered, guilt choking him.

India stepped back, her dress whispering against the floor. “How long, Marcus? How many women have you been cheating with on me? How many lies have you told us?”

Marcus’s voice was raw, pleading. “India, I love you. I do. Vanessa was hurt, and I was trying to console her when I became weak. I don’t want to lose you. I thought—”

“You thought you could have everything,” India said sharply. “You thought you could lie to my face, stand up here in front of everyone we know, and I’d just… what? Say ‘I do’ and pretend none of it mattered?”

India’s anger broke through. “I’m not sorry, Marcus, for being in love with your best friend. But it shouldn't matter since you’ve been cheating on me anyway. Now it's all out in the open, so let's go our separate ways." She turned to Vanessa.

 “You can have my leftovers because I'm done with him.” India’s voice cracked, but she stood tall, even more determined to marry Denver. “As for this man, right here. He’s mine. From the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. This is who I want to be married to and love.”

The audience gasped, and Marcus's mother burst into tears at the commotion.

India’s eyes glistened. Denver, her voice trembling. “Don’t listen to him. I’ve been honest with you, and the only thing I regret is not leaving Marcus sooner.  I’m not running anymore. Not from you.”

Denver’s heart pounded as he took in the scene. He never imagined his wedding day would turn out like this. He looked across the crowded room, and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

He reached for her hand, his voice gentle. “I’m not going to let you run, not from me.”

She squeezed his hand tightly. “I trust you, and most of all, I love you, India. You don’t have to be perfect for me. I want you just the way you are.”

A tear slipped down her cheek. “I love you, Denver. I always have.”

The room waited in silence. Even though Vanessa was quiet, you could see disappointment etched into her face. Denver’s mind raced as he took in the scene. He saw Marcus, staring not at India but at him. Marcus couldn’t believe his closest friend had betrayed him. Then Denver looked at India, seeing her vulnerability, her bravery, and her flaws, but was she still acting? He couldn’t tell by the way she sincerely peered into his eyes.

Denver felt caught in a three-way trap. He took a shaky breath. “Are you sure, India?”

She nodded, tears shining in her eyes. “I’ve never been surer of anything.”

Marcus’s voice broke, raw and pleading. “Denver, don’t. Not like this.” Then he looked at India, a world of accusation in his gaze. “You could have told me.”

Denver squeezed her hand. “I believe you.” He looked at Marcus, voice thick. “I’m sorry. I truly am.”

Vanessa stepped back, upset with Marcus for leaving her to marry India, yet heartbroken that Denver was the one who got away. The guests watched, some with tears, some shocked, all completely absorbed.

The officiant, bewildered but determined, cleared his throat. “If—if you two are ready…”

India turned to Denver, her face showing both hope and fear. Denver’s heart raced. He looked at her and saw not just a friend, but a woman and an uncertain future together.

But he was a man of his word. So, he nodded, voice clear, steady. “Yes. I’m ready.”

India let out a sigh of relief. She reached up, brushed his cheek, and gave him a real, trembling smile.

The officiant found his place in the script, voice trembling slightly. “Could you two please step aside?” He pointedly asked Marcus and Vanessa as he proceeded.

“Do you, Denver, take India to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”

Denver looked into India’s eyes. “I do.”

“And do you, India, take Denver…”

“I do,” she whispered, joy and sorrow mingling in her voice.

The officiant smiled, voice gaining strength. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may—”

India didn’t wait. She was devastated and hurt both of them and didn’t want to feel this pain anymore. She threw her arms around Denver and kissed him, bold and unafraid. Denver was caught off guard and unsure how to react, but he remembered they had agreed to make it look real, so he kissed her back, slowing it to something soft and passionate. It must have looked convincing, because the guests broke into stunned applause. Even Marcus, breathing heavily in shock and anger, stormed off the stage with Vanessa following.

Denver held India, and everything seemed to calm down. The chaos, heartbreak, and all the revealed and hidden truths didn’t matter now, at least for this moment.

They had chosen this fake love, despite everything. As the applause filled the room, Denver knew that whatever happened next, they would have to face it together.