2

Relatives gathered curiously to see what was happening inside. My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively closed the door, cutting off my parents' inquisitive gazes.

The people on stage also noticed me and turned their heads in unison.

The man who was half-kneeling was Alex Clinton, Jessica's dream guy and also my current superior.

Alex had a neutral expression and looked at me with a smile. "Tommy, is there something wrong?"

The term "Tommy" immediately defined our respective statuses.

Jessica, standing beside him, not only offered no explanation but instead glared at me with a threatening look.

I understood immediately. It was a look that told me to shut up. During the three years that we had been together, the only time the usually mild-mannered Jessica got truly angry was when she gave me that look.

I instinctively fell silent.

In the next moment, I laughed self-deprecatingly. My fiancee, my venue, my wedding time—my wife was marrying someone else without a word of explanation. Why should I keep quiet?

I stepped onto the stage, veins bulging on my hands.

I gave Jessica one last chance to prevent embarrassment.

"Jessica, I want an explanation."

Jessica threw the microphone to the host and whispered to me urgently, "Thomas Lawson, I'm doing you a favor! Alex is in a difficult situation, and I'm here to help him out. Helping him is also helping your career. Don't make a scene! Once this is over, we'll have our wedding as planned."

‘What? Was she serious when she said those words?’

"Jessica, do you think weddings are like running a sideline? Or should I share the bride with my superior?"

Seeing my unyielding attitude, Alex stepped forward to shield Jessica.

"Tommy, how can you speak to a woman like that? I was even planning to thank you for lending me your girlfriend in an emergency and considering a promotion for you. Your attitude is really disappointing."

I didn't spare Alex a glance and turned to focus on Jessica.

"Jessica, if you come with me now, we can turn the page."

"Turn the page" was our agreed-upon safe word. If either of us did something beyond the other's limits, we used "turn the page" to offer a way out, and the other would immediately understand that the issue was to be left behind.

Thanks to this little tactic, we hadn't had any serious breakups in three years.

I spoke, staring into Jessica's eyes, silently counting down in my mind.

I could feel my deep-seated love rapidly fading.

After a moment of silence, Jessica gritted her teeth and said, "Thomas, you can't embarrass Alex like this. He'll be humiliated. Wait for me. Once I'm done here, we'll continue with our wedding."

I watched as Jessica left me on stage, took the microphone from the host, and urged him to hurry up with the proceedings. My emotions gradually calmed to a state of tranquility.

"Do you take this man as your husband?"

"I do!"

"And do you take this woman as your wife?"

"I do!"

"Is there anyone here who objects?"

I crossed my arms and coldly watched the show unfold. Slowly, under the gaze of everyone, I raised my hand.

A murmur of surprise erupted from the groom's guests, who looked at me with expressions of disbelief. The bride’s guests had cold and indifferent looks on their faces and the room fell silent.

I stepped back onto the stage and slowly took the microphone, eyeing the familiar ring on Alex's hand.

"Mr. Clinton, it seems your taste is quite similar to mine!"

Alex, confused, stood there in a daze.

Using my chosen stage design and wedding dress, and stealing my wife—his taste was indeed quite similar to mine.

"In that case, I'll give you the wedding ring I personally designed. I'm sure you'll like it. No need to be thank me. It's not valuable. Consider it my wedding gift, and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and eternal commitment."

A murmur of sympathy arose from the audience. Jessica's expression changed.

Ignoring the fact that she was still on stage, holding the microphone, she blurted out, "Thomas, let me explain..."

My heart was already calm and unperturbed. I walked to the door and pushed it open.

Since Jessica had chosen to prioritize another man's dignity over our wedding and treated it as a joke, there was no need for us to go through with the wedding.