My Girlfriend went Back on Her Word, So I Married Her Best Friend

On my wedding day with my fiancée Cindy Green, her mother suddenly canceled the wedding last minute.

"One million dollars for the bride price. Otherwise, don't even think about marrying Cindy."

I granted their wish. In front of everyone, I handed over the million dollars but declared that I'd be marrying her best friend instead.

After that, Cindy desperately pursued me, doing everything she could to win me back.

I held her best friend's hand and said, "I already have a wife."

1

After three years together, Cindy and I were finally getting married.

My brothers and I gathered the gifts and went to Cindy's house to bring her home.

After passing all the wedding games and challenges, we finally made it inside. I was so nervous as I watched Cindy, looking so stunning as she sat on the bed.

The girl of my dreams was about to become my wife, and I couldn't have been more excited.

As I gently tried to slip the wedding shoes on her feet, Cindy deliberately made it difficult, making it impossible to fit them on. I was sweating profusely with anxiety.

At that moment, my mother-in-law stepped in, wiping away non-existent tears as she stopped me.

"Don't rush, Mark. We're so reluctant to part with Cindy..."

"Mom, I will take good care of her. I promise she will never be mistreated," I said, thinking she was just expressing her concern. I handed her two red envelopes and vowed my commitment.

"That's not what I meant," she said, shaking her head. "To show how much you value Cindy, I think the bride price should go up a little. How about this? One million dollars. If not, don't even think about taking my Cindy."

I looked at Cindy, but she remained silent, her gaze distant, as if she was indifferent to it all. Her silence spoke volumes—it was as though she had already accepted this arrangement.

The joyous, noisy atmosphere came to an abrupt halt. Even my mother-in-law seemed to realize how unreasonable her demand was, turning her back and saying, "Think it over and transfer the money when you're ready."

Looking at the silent Cindy, I grabbed her hand. "Cindy, say something."

I knew her childhood had been rough, with her parents treating her differently from her brother. She had always lacked love, and I had been the one to cherish and protect her during our relationship. Everything good, I gave to her without hesitation.

If she had just said, "Mark, don't listen to my mom. Let's make a life together without worrying about money," I would have given her everything I had, happily.

But all she said was, "My mom is doing this for me."

My heart went cold.

I finally understood—some things just aren't meant to be.

The bride price was initially agreed at 680,000 dollars. I loved Cindy, and that amount was fair. I had meticulously prepared for the wedding over three months. But for her mother to change the terms on the wedding day—this was a humiliation I couldn't swallow.

Looking at the best man and bridesmaid, their expressions filled with mixed emotions, I felt like the biggest joke.

So, this was how our three years of love ended.

I glanced at the wedding photo beside the bed—the one of us at the beach—and felt a sharp pain in my heart. But at least, there was one person who was willing to marry me.

"Then how about this—Grace White, if I give you a million dollars, will you marry me?" I turned to the bridesmaid, her makeup flawless, looking surprised.

"...Mark Jones, I will," she replied. Grace and I had grown up together, childhood friends. Afraid of making Cindy jealous, we had kept our friendship a secret.

If anyone could diffuse the situation, it was Grace. She knew I was joking out of spite.

Besides, her grandfather was gravely ill, and her family desperately needed money. I wouldn't take advantage of her situation. I would compensate her later regardless.

"You... you two!" Cindy finally panicked. "When did you two start seeing each other? You scum!"

"In these three years, you have checked my phone every time. Was there ever a girl in my contact list? I've always been faithful to you. And now your family has done this to me." My anger flared, veins bulging on my temples.

In our three years together, I had never raised my voice at Cindy. Seeing my outburst, she was momentarily stunned.

Grabbing Grace's hand, I walked out, ignoring Cindy and her mother's screams and insults behind me.

"Mom, this is all your fault!"

"Mark, Mark, come back! I was just joking!"

What a joke, indeed. It sure didn't seem like a joke just a moment ago.

I was about to turn back when suddenly, Cindy's phone rang, and her expression changed. "Cindy, do you remember me? Is today your wedding day? Sorry I can't make it... (cough, cough) ... I'm not doing well. I really want to see you... one last time..."

"Martin, is that really you? Where are you? I'm coming to you right now."

Before I could process what was happening, Cindy hastily put on her high heels and rushed out the door, not even sparing me a glance.

It seemed she was off to meet her first love...

One simple call from her white moonlight was all it took to unravel everything. I finally understood that those who are loved always have the upper hand.

Watching her leave, I felt my world crumble. It wasn't until Grace gently wiped my tears and pressed her lips against my cheek that I snapped out of my daze and helped her into the wedding car.

I turned to Grace and said, "I'm sorry, but thank you for agreeing. I've heard about your father's situation, and I'll help you with that. But it's unfair for you to marry me under these circumstances."

2

With no bride in sight, the wedding banquet descended into chaos. Alone, I walked up to the stage, while the guests murmured among themselves.

"Where's the bride? Why is it just the groom?"

"This is so strange. What's going on?"

...

I grabbed the microphone from the host and spoke in a low voice. "On this joyous day, I'm afraid I have to apologize. My fiancée just decided she doesn't want to marry me, so the engagement is off. But please, enjoy the feast. Eat well, drink well."

Then I walked off the stage, my body trembling. After three months of preparation, the bride was nowhere to be found. It was all just a big joke.

My face was pale, and I could feel the guests' pitying stares.

I tried calling Grace, but all I got was a mechanical voice: "The number you dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later."

The empty beeping was all I heard.

I opened my phone and was shocked to see Cindy's latest post on her social media.

The photo showed two hands tightly intertwined, fingers locked together. The man, wearing a hospital gown, bore an uncanny resemblance to me. Cindy, in our custom-made wedding outfit, was blushing as she leaned against him, covering her face shyly.

The caption read, "Martin, hello. I've finally shown you my most beautiful self."

They looked like a loving couple, deeply in love.

Seeing the photo drained all the strength from my body.

No wonder Cindy always cried out in her dreams, "Max, don't leave me!" Suddenly, everything made sense.

Cindy loved calling me "Max".

From the moment we met, she had affectionately used that nickname.

Every time she spoke, she'd slip my name in, and I thought it was her way of showing affection, and it made me so happy.

After all, only those who are truly close use such intimate nicknames.

I used to hug her tightly and reassure her, "I'm here."

Now, looking back at her evasive glances, I finally understood—it wasn't me she was calling out to. Every time she uttered that name, it came from the depths of her heart, but it wasn't for me.

She was calling for her first love, not me.

I chuckled bitterly, liked the post, and locked my phone. Just then, my mom approached.

"Mark, what's going on? Did you upset Cindy? If so, go apologize." My mom, who had been anxiously overseeing all the wedding preparations, was visibly worried.

"Auntie, Cindy's family made an outrageous demand—they asked for a bride price of one million at the last minute, and Mark said he wouldn't marry her," my friend Dave whispered next to me, speaking so quietly that my mom had to ask him to repeat it several times before she understood.

"Son, why didn't you say it was their fault up there? This family... even if we had the money, that's just unreasonable." My mom, seeing my dejected expression, sighed.

After a moment, she added, "Son, maybe it's time to let it go. I've never seen you care about a girl this much before. Cindy is still a good girl. Go and get her back."

A good girl? Hah, Cindy was already happily in someone else's arms. Would she really come back if I went after her?

Her joyful expression when she answered that call told me everything—I had lost. Completely.

"Mom, I don't like Cindy anymore. I just want to go home," I replied, carefully enunciating each word.

"Alright, alright, my good boy. Let's go home," my mom said, nodding her head.

3

When I got home, I sat in silence until midnight. Cindy never came back. I picked up our wedding photo, but I couldn't bring myself to look at it for long before tossing it aside and lying on the couch. I couldn't even cry.

After a while, I dragged myself to the bedroom and lay down, staring at the red decorations in the room—the bridal chamber meant for me and Cindy's wedding night. I had been so excited, waiting for this day. But...

For the past three years, Cindy had refused any intimacy with me aside from hugs.

Now, it all made sense.

She had never loved me. Her heart had always belonged to her first love, Martin.

I should have seen the signs. For these three years, I had only been a stand-in for Cindy's first love.

The realization brought me a wave of sadness, but it also steeled my resolve.

I would cut ties with Cindy once and for all.

I reached for a cigarette but stopped. Cindy hated the smell of smoke, so I had quit for her. Over time, it became a habit, and now, I didn't even like it myself. Instead, I spent the rest of the night in the living room, playing video games but failing to beat any of the levels.

Finally, I texted Cindy: "Cindy, your stuff is still at my place. When are you coming to get it?"