All Chapters of The Groom Swap: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Riley Robner showed up in a floor-length white dress—practically a bridal gown. And Derek Teeger, conveniently, was in a black tux.They walked the aisle together, side by side, trading smiles that made his groomsmen whistle and hoot."Now, that's a match. Riley and Derek look perfect together.""Megan showing up in jeans? Embarrassing.""No wonder Derek told her to step aside and let Riley handle the walk-through..."I stood alone in the corner, glancing down at myself. T-shirt. Jeans. Sneakers.That morning, I'd put on the white dress Derek had given me, thinking I'd take some photos if the rehearsal went well. But he called and said not to overdress—it was just a rehearsal, after all."Just throw on a pair of jeans and a tee. Keep it casual."I hesitated. He got annoyed."All my guys are coming. They're laid-back. If you show up looking like a bride, they'll never let me hear the end of it."He promised he'd dress down too, so I changed.But when I got to the venue, Derek

Chapter 2

"Relax. She's just helping you with the marks. Come the actual wedding day, you'll be front and center."Derek said it to me, but his eyes—and half his body—were already aimed at the door. Riley was taking her sweet time, lingering by the exit, waiting for him to chase after her."Alright, I'm driving Riley home. Grab a cab for yourself today."I kept smiling. "Okay. Drive safe."Derek finally tossed me a look of approval, then shot a wink at his groomsmen. They gave him thumbs-ups."Man's got his girl trained."They left. The groomsmen gave me a dismissive glance and followed. Then the wedding crew packed up and cleared out.I stayed. Didn't move.Derek had forgotten—ever since Riley's car got a flat tire months ago, he'd never driven me anywhere again. He also never bothered to notice I'd learned to drive myself.Last month, Riley said her apartment had a leak. Derek moved her straight into our newly renovated house—the one we hadn't even spent a night in together—and put he

Chapter 3

The bathroom door swung open.Derek came out towel-drying his hair. He paused when he saw me—but only for a second. Then he kept rubbing his head."Here for the wedding video shoot? Cancel it. I'm taking Riley dress shopping today. You can come along and help pick."The tension in my back let go. I continued walking."I'm busy."He glanced at my suitcase and frowned."Back to that flower shop of yours? I told you to shut it down. Why are you bringing work stuff to Riley's place?"I didn't bother pointing out that this was supposed to be our house. I just kept walking.Derek's voice went cold."Megan, how many times do I have to say it? That little studio of yours is pointless. Once we're married, you'll be home running the household and raising our kids. Might as well close it now."I stopped. My throat tightened.When I spoke, my voice came out strained."Since when did I say I'd be staying home?"Derek gave me a look like I was being dramatic.He pulled a suit jacket fr

Chapter 4

If this deal had gone through, the thirty million would've been locked in.I didn't have time to overthink it. I called Derek.He was at a party somewhere. Over the noise, his voice came through dripping with sarcasm, "Well? Change your mind already?"I gripped the phone, each word heavy."Derek. Why did you steal my studio's project?"His tone was smug, condescending."Because you wouldn't listen. I had to teach you a lesson."I took a breath."You know how much this project means to me. If I land it, I can—""Can what? Make your family finally take you seriously?"He cut me off with a laugh."You've never mattered to them. What's the point of all this struggling? Just do what I say, and maybe your parents will toss you a few shares out of respect for me."Someone in the background shouted something. One of his groomsmen."Hey, is the missus coming after you?"Derek muttered to the room, "Relax. She's just being dramatic."Then I heard Riley's voice, close to the phone.

Chapter 5

For a long moment, Derek couldn't speak. Then he finally let out a curse."No way. Where did you see this? That's not Megan!"His face dark, he pulled out his phone and tapped on Megan's profile."See? She hasn't posted in three days!"Are you telling me she photoshopped this just to mess with me? To make me fold?"She's dreaming. I've never backed down for anyone in my life."He jabbed at the screen to call her, still ranting under his breath."Fine, Megan. Real cute. If I don't teach you a lesson today, you'll think you can walk all over me—"His groomsman, Gavin Langsley, shrank back."Derek, I'm on your side. I wouldn't help her pull something like this."And it's not just me. Everyone saw it."The other guys nodded and pulled up Megan's feed. Same post. Same photo. Same caption.Meanwhile, Derek heard the automated voice on the other end, "The number you have dialed is unavailable."A horrible thought crossed his mind.Gavin gulped."Derek… did she block you?"Dere

Chapter 6

Riley blinked, looking almost reluctant, but eventually went to change into the wedding dress.Derek gritted his teeth."Megan, you want to fake a marriage to mess with me? Fine. Then don't blame me for marrying another woman."At three in the afternoon, Derek and Riley held a lavish wedding ceremony.To one-up Megan, he went all out—obnoxiously so. They kissed on stage, fed each other cake mouth-to-mouth. When Riley mentioned she liked champagne roses, he dropped a fortune to have them flown in.Even after the ceremony was done, he wasn't satisfied. He kept everyone around for a dinner party.The whole time, there were more media photographers than at a press conference. Flashbulbs popping everywhere. He pushed them to get the stories out immediately—determined to make sure Megan saw every single shot.By the time the circus finally wound down, it was past ten at night.The relatives and elders had left. The crowd was thinning out.Derek sat in a corner, pulled out his phone,

Chapter 7

Derek's father shook his head in frustration."You never do anything serious. How am I supposed to hand the company over to you without making it look right?"Derek rubbed his eyes and grudgingly dragged himself to get ready.When he arrived at the signing, the first person he saw was me.I'd just finished talking with the exhibition organizers. I looked up, saw him, and turned away without any change in expression."Mr. Chambers, let's leave it there for today. I'll see you tomorrow at the exhibition."I shook hands with Mr. Chambers. Derek strode over."Mr. Chambers? What are you doing here? I gave your project to Riley's Bloom. What's left to discuss with Megan? And just so you know—breach of contract comes with penalties."Mr. Chambers gave a slight nod."Mr. Teeger, you offered half the price to terminate Ms. Powell's contract, and promised you'd cover the full penalty on her behalf."But from what I can see, you haven't transferred a single cent to Ms. Powell. So I don'

Chapter 8

"But yesterday, when you posted, you didn't show my face," Liam said."I just tapped the wrong photo. I'll repost it right now," I replied.Liam leaned in and watched as I reposted it—this time with his face clearly visible. Only then did he look satisfied.Who knew running into Derek would set him off again?I squeezed his hand back and nodded obediently."Fine. I'll cancel on the client and have lunch with you."Liam finally smiled. Then he looked back at Derek, who stood there frozen.The next second, Derek snapped out of it and pointed at our joined hands."Megan. Who said you could hold hands with another man? Let go."I raised our joined hands and gave them a little shake."I'm holding my husband's hand. That's none of your business, Derek."Derek's eyes went wide. He stormed toward us."Don't be ridiculous. I'm your husband.""Where's your proof?""Proof? We—we had an appointment. Next week. It was all set."I shrugged."I canceled it. Didn't you know?"Derek's

Chapter 9

"A grown man, worried about a woman's career taking off. Pathetic. No wonder Megan doesn't love you," Liam said.Derek's face flushed with anger."Don't talk nonsense. Megan loves me. I'm the one she loves most."They both turned to look at me.I leaned closer to Liam and said to Derek, "Derek. I don't love you anymore.""That's impossible—""It's true. From the moment you moved Riley into our wedding house, let her sleep in the master bedroom, put her things in the closet, and gave her all the clothes I'd set aside for our wedding—that's when I stopped."The color drained from Derek's face."No—let me explain. Riley's apartment had a leak. She had nowhere else to go—""You could have put her in a hotel. Or rented her a place.""But she wouldn't have been safe alone—""Right. So you stayed with her at our wedding house. To keep her safe."Derek had nothing left to say.His head dropped. First, his lips trembled. Then his whole body started shaking."I—I just thought… you

Chapter 10

The Powell family had landed such a good son-in-law—of course, they'd suck up to me.Later, when Liam accompanied me to dinner at the Powell house, my father's attitude was a hundred times warmer than it had been over the phone. He not only heaped food onto my plate but also praised my intelligence and business acumen. My two older sisters, usually so overbearing, were meek and deferential, begging me to introduce them to men of a similar caliber.I exchanged a few cool pleasantries, then pulled Liam out the door.Two more months passed. The exhibition wrapped up.I successfully got my stake in Powell Group. I was splitting my time between running my studio and taking over parts of the family business.One day, Derek showed up.He looked completely wrecked, standing at the door of my studio with dark circles under his eyes."Megan. I need to talk to you.""I have nothing to say to you.""I broke things off with Riley!"I was about to turn away when he called out after me, h

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