After Being Switched, My Friend Married My Childhood Sweetheart

On the night of my friend's wedding to my childhood sweetheart, I stumbled upon the chat history between him and my mother.

[Orion, Mom raised other people's son in your place on purpose, just for today. Seeing that you are about to marry a rich woman like Isla Elander, I am so proud and happy.]

[Mom, I promise I'll take good care of you in the future. It's all thanks to you that I've lived such a prosperous life all these years.]

[If you hadn't raised Vincent in my place, I wouldn't have been able to marry the eldest daughter of the Elander Family in Stellaria.]

It was then I realized why I had endured domestic violence all these years.

It was so that Orion Winters could live the life meant for me.

My mother had schemed to swap me with him and done everything in her power to force me to break up with Isla.

I smiled bitterly, knowing I would give everyone a memorable gift on the night of his wedding.

——

"Orion, do you like it? You'll look so handsome wearing it!"

Every year, on Orion's birthday, Evelyn would meticulously prepare an expensive gift for him.

This year, she presented him with a luxurious watch no matter how she struggled financially.

No matter that Orion's life was obviously already opulent.

Back then, Evelyn Harper had deliberately switched us, ensuring that Orion lived as the privileged son of a wealthy family in my place.

"Godmother, this watch is beautiful. I love it," Orion said smugly, flashing a provocative look at me.

His gaze was as arrogant as ever.

"Godmother, isn't this watch too expensive?"

Evelyn quickly waved her hand with a bright smile, saying, "Not at all, Orion. As long as you like it, it's worth it."

The watch was not cheap at all. Ten thousand dollars, to be exact. With her meager monthly salary of over four hundred dollars, it would take her years to save that much without spending a cent.

Memories from the past flooded my mind. The year I graduated high school, I was accepted into Stellar University, my dream school. But when the admission letter arrived, Evelyn was furious.

She tore the admission letter up in a fit of rage and beat me senseless.

"What's the use of studying? Do you think we have the money to send you to college?!"

"Start working at the factory tomorrow and help support the family!"

At the same time, Orion barely managed to pass an average university entrance exam.

To celebrate his admission, Evelyn handed him a red envelope with seven thousand dollars. The amount was enough to cover four years of tuition for me.

She heaped praises on him right in front of my face.

"Orion is so brilliant! He got into such a great university."

"Unlike this useless brat of mine. Not a single low-tier university would ever take him!"

It was right at that moment I lost faith in my mother, Evelyn Harper.

However, I still did not get it at all. Why on earth was she treating her own son like garbage?

It was not until last night that I accidentally read her chat with Orion.

I finally pieced it all together why I had to endure such mistreatment for years!

Everything happened so he could have the life that was meant for me!

Evelyn was beaming with pride when she held Orion's hand and said, "You're getting married soon and as your godmother, I couldn't be happier for you."

"Unlike that useless boy of mine, who dreams of marrying above his station and even tried to steal Isla from you during your study."

"He should take a good look at himself!"

Orion Winters, Isla Elander and I, Vincent Hayes, had grown up together.

Back in school, our classmates would tease us, calling us rivals, vying for our childhood sweetheart.

They used to joke about who would end up marrying Isla in the future.

Back then, everyone was simply students. We were not overly judgmental or concerned about social status or being well-matched.

Isla generally enjoyed spending time with me. During our sophomore year of high school, she confessed her feelings to me right in front of Orion, which left Orion in a rage.