A Fake Proposal, a Real Marriage

At my 25th birthday party, my childhood sweetheart got down on one knee, holding a diamond ring. "Diane, will you marry me?"

I nodded, my eyes misty with tears, but just as I reached out, he slipped the ring onto my best friend's finger instead.

The room went silent for a beat before erupting in laughter.

"Just kidding!" Livio Becker laughed. "You didn't take it seriously, did you?"

I forced a smile and looked over his shoulder at someone. "I bet he would propose tonight, and I was right. You lost the bet, so tomorrow we're getting married for real."

The moment those words left my mouth, the private room went dead silent. Then the laughter exploded all over again.

Livio Becker noticed I wasn't saying anything and jumped in like he was doing me a favor. "Okay, guys, ease up. Diane is the birthday girl. Let's cut her some slack."

Jordan Rivers locked eyes with me, his gaze steady and serious. "If that's the case, you might as well move in with me tonight."

I met his stare for a beat and nodded. My hands, dangling at my sides, curled into tight fists as my heart started to throb with pain.

In the past, I would have already bolted in tears. Now I just forced down the ache in my chest and walked straight over to Jordan.

"Where are you going?" Livio snapped, stepping in front of me. "It was just a joke, and now you're bailing with some random guy? Can't handle a little teasing?"

His tone was dripping with sarcasm. My best friend, Maggie Holloway, covered her mouth to hide her giggles. She only toned it down when she caught my sharp stare.

"Come on, Livio," she purred. "Diane's my best friend. Don't push her too far. She looks like she's about to cry."

The two people I cared about most mocked me like that, and it hit hard. I couldn't even describe the feeling; it was like a heavy weight pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

It reminded me of what happened a week ago, when a trendy fusion restaurant opened in Skyelinville.

I knew Maggie loved trying new spots, so I booked a table, planning to treat her to a feast. That same day opened my eyes to some harsh truths.

Maggie and I were college roommates. We hit it off, becoming best friends.

I had shared my deepest secrets with her, including my crush on Livio. I never expected that once she found out he came from money, she would start a secret affair with him behind my back.

After dinner, I stepped away to pay the bill when I overheard her on the phone with Livio, talking about their bet.

"So, have you decided to be my girlfriend yet?"

"Nah, let's just keep it casual, or Diane will get hurt."

"Diane? She's been following me everywhere, and it's driving me crazy. But I've got a plan to make her quit. Just watch."

Maggie laughed heartily, asking about the details.

Livio's voice came through playful and smug. "Her birthday is in a week. I'll throw her a party, fake a proposal, and humiliate her in front of everyone. Then she won't have the nerve to chase me again."

Maggie's eyes crinkled with amusement, while I stood in the shadows, feeling a chill down my spine. It felt like an invisible hand was squeezing my heart, the dull throb making me shake all over.

...

After that, I couldn't stop replaying it all in my head, questioning what I'd done wrong. Why would the two people I loved most betray me like this?

Everyone knew I was head over heels for Livio, my childhood sweetheart. What they didn't know was that our families had arranged our marriage when we were kids.

From the time we were younger all the way through college, it was always him chasing me, desperate for us to make it official.