Chapter 1

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PART 1
I Asked a Coworker to Pretend to Be My Boyfriend at My Ex-Husband’s Wedding.

When He Saw Us Together, He Burst Out Laughing. “Nobody Would Ever Want You,” He Said in Front of Everyone.

But My Date Had Brought a Wedding Gift—and the Moment My Ex Opened It, His Smile Disappeared.

It started when my ex-husband, Daniel, sent me an invitation to his wedding.
“I’m marrying Vanessa next month.

Bring the girls.

You can bring a date too, although I doubt you’ll find anyone willing to come with you.”
Even after our divorce, Daniel still seemed to enjoy humiliating me.
We had spent almost thirteen years together and raised two beautiful daughters, ages ten and three.
Then, one evening, he announced that he no longer found me attractive.
A few weeks later, I learned he had been having an affair with Vanessa, the fitness instructor at his gym.
When I confronted him, he showed absolutely no remorse.
“Look at her, Rebecca.

She’s beautiful, confident, and takes care of herself.

You used to look like that.”
Then he gave me a dismissive glance.
“Maybe if you’d made an effort, we wouldn’t be getting divorced.”
Those words stayed with me long after he moved out.
For months, I struggled to recognize the woman looking back at me in the mirror.

I wondered whether thirteen years of marriage, raising our children, and putting my family first had somehow made me less worthy of love.
Eventually, I began rebuilding my confidence.
Then Daniel announced his engagement.
I considered ignoring the invitation, but our daughters were excited about attending their father’s wedding.

I wanted to be there for them.
And I certainly didn’t want Daniel thinking he could frighten me away.
That’s when I approached Michael, a coworker who had become a trusted friend during my divorce.
He knew everything Daniel had put me through.
One afternoon, I gathered my courage and asked him something completely ridiculous.
“Michael, would you do me a favor? Would you come to my ex-husband’s wedding and pretend we’re dating?”
He raised an eyebrow.
Then he laughed softly.
“Rebecca, I’d be happy to.”
On the wedding day, Michael arrived looking incredibly handsome in a tailored navy suit.
He offered me his arm, smiled reassuringly, and said, “Ready?”
For the first time in months, I felt genuinely confident.
We walked into the reception together.
Several guests turned to look at us.
Michael was tall, charming, and effortlessly comfortable in a room full of strangers.
And Daniel noticed immediately.
He approached us with Vanessa beside him, wearing the smug expression I knew all too well.
His eyes moved from Michael to me.
Then he started laughing.
“Wait.

You’re telling me this guy is your boyfriend?”
I kept my voice steady.
“Yes, Daniel.

This is Michael.”
Daniel laughed even louder.
“Oh, come on, Rebecca.

Who are you trying to fool? Nobody would actually date you.”
Several nearby guests fell silent.
He turned toward Michael.
“Seriously, man.

How much did she pay you to show up?”
My cheeks burned.
For a moment, I was right back in our old kitchen, listening to Daniel explain why I wasn’t good enough.
I wanted to turn around and leave.
But Michael remained perfectly calm.
He didn’t raise his voice or insult Daniel.
Instead, he gave him a pleasant smile.
“Actually, Daniel, I brought something for you and your bride.”
Daniel stopped laughing.
“A wedding present?”
“That’s right,” Michael replied. “I left it in my car.

Give me a moment.”
A few minutes later, Michael returned carrying a large cardboard box.
Daniel grinned as he reached for it.
“Well, this should be interesting.”
Michael placed the box on the table.
“Go ahead.

Open it.”
Daniel lifted the lid.
And suddenly, the laughter stopped.
His expression changed so quickly that even Vanessa leaned closer to see what was inside.
His face turned crimson.
He looked at Michael, then at me, as though he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
I stepped forward and glanced into the box.
And for the first time since receiving that cruel wedding invitation, I smiled.
Because Michael hadn’t simply brought a wedding gift.
He had brought something Daniel never imagined anyone would uncover.
And what was inside that box was about to change the entire wedding.

PART 2
On top, in a silver frame, was a photograph.
A lake house.

Cedar shingles, a wraparound porch, a long wooden dock stretching into water that glittered in the late-afternoon sun.

And on the end of that dock, wrapped in each other’s arms, stood Daniel and Vanessa.
I knew that dock.

Not because I’d ever been there, but because I had seen the date stamped in the corner of the photo.
It was taken fourteen months before Daniel told me he wanted a divorce.
—END OF Chapter 1, —PRESS NEXT PART IN BOTTOM OF PAGE TO READ NEXT Chapter

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Table of Contents
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My Ex-Husband Mocked Me at His Wedding, Saying Nobody Would Ever Want Me.

Then My Fake Boyfriend Handed Him a Gift Box, and the Secret Inside Destroyed Everything He Built.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
11

01
Chapter 1

02
Chapter 2

03
Chapter 3

04
Chapter 4

05
Chapter 5

06
Chapter 6

07
Chapter 7

08
Chapter 8

09
Chapter 9

10
Chapter 10

11
Chapter 11