I watched as Stacey unabashedly showed her disdain and crushed my heart.

In that moment, all my confusion and resentment dissipated.

Tobias said, "Stop it. You are best friends, anyway."

The wind carried Tobias's casual words to my ears.

I saw him hug another woman and wrap his arms around her waist, just as he had done to me.

They laughed and chatted as they walked into the hotel.

I remembered the first time we dated each other.

"What I despise most are homewreckers," Tobias said.

Tears welled up in his eyes.

He said each word with emotion. "Back then, my mother got involved with my dad's best friend. When my dad found out, she abandoned me. She thought I was a burden and refused to take me with her. In the end, both my parents found me an eyesore."

Tobias lowered his head and gave a self-mocking smile. But his eyes were hollow as he looked at me. "Effie, you have a happy family, which I could never dream of.

My life has been ruined from the start. It has never been a whole."

At that time, my heart felt like it would burst with sorrow. "Tobias, but you'll surely meet a woman who will pick up all your broken pieces. As she picks them up, she'll make sure everything is hers. She'll stay with you forever and help you piece those fragments together."

In the days that followed, Tobias pursued me passionately, which was known to everyone.

To my friends and my family, he was always the perfect boyfriend.

Yet now, even after more than ten hours have passed, I still couldn't figure out when Stacey and Tobias became the sharpest daggers, stabbing my heart.

They turned my years of sincerity into tools for their own gain.

My stomach clenched, and a wave of hatred surged through me.

But I was lucky to uncover the truth.

Thankfully, there was still time for me.

On my phone, I sent a message to Tobias, urging him.

Then, as Stacey wished, I sent her a message to pacify her. "I hope you come to my wedding. I have a surprise for you."

Putting my phone away, I headed to the wedding venue by taxi.

The restaurant was already teeming with guests.

Every detail of the decor had been personally arranged by me.

But now everything seemed like blatant mockery.

Behind me, the makeup artist was still softly reminding me of things to keep in mind.

But I merely nodded slightly.

My gaze was fixed on the entrance to the banquet hall.

At last, the slightly hurried sound of footsteps accompanied by the guests' murmurs announced Tobias's arrival.

He was there.

He was dressed in a crisp groom's suit, but his tie was slightly askew, and his hair was a bit tousled.

There was even a lingering scent around him that he hadn't managed to dispel.

"I'm sorry, Effie. There was a minor accident on the way, and I kept you waiting." He apologized to me.

I sidestepped to avoid his attempt to hold my hand and lifted the hem of my dress. "Let's begin."

Tobias paused for a moment and then quickly resumed his affectionate demeanor.

The host handed over the ring box.

Tobias took out the diamond ring and got down on one knee. "Effie, this ring represents my eternal love for you."

Under the lights, the small diamond looked particularly shabby.

I extended my hand and watched as he slowly slid the cheap ring around my ring finger.

It was Tobias's turn to give a speech.

Holding the microphone, he spoke with emotion and tears. "I've known Effie for five years. We dated each other from university to work. We've endured hardships and worked hard together. She is the most important one in my life. She had done anything for me..."

The audience erupted in applause.

Several sentimental relatives were already dabbing their eyes.

Stacey stood next to me, her hand gently resting on her belly.

Her expression openly shifted between Tobias and me, occasionally applauding.

"In fact, I have prepared a special surprise for Tobias," I interrupted, and a smile was playing on my lips. "This surprise is more touching than any vow."

Tobias's eyes lit up.

He thought perhaps I would gift him a car or publicly announce the transfer of company shares.

Greed flashed in his eyes, and his face was full of expectant smiles.

He even urged the host. "Be quick. Let everyone see Effie's special surprise."

Stacey stepped forward half a step, and her fingertips gently touched the corner of Tobias's suit.

She encouraged him with a knowing look in her eyes.

She seemed to tell him that soon everything would be settled.

Holding back a storm of emotions, I turned to face the large screen at the center of the stage. "This video records the hard work Tobias has put in behind the scenes for our future."

At that moment, I pressed the remote control in my hand.

As the content on the big screen became clear, Tobias's smile froze instantly on his face.

The moment the LED screen lit up, Tobias's heavy breathing and Stacey's soft moans filled the banquet hall.

The applause abruptly ceased, and the room fell into an awkward silence.

The guests' smiles froze. Their gazes were a mix of shock, disdain, and disbelief, like countless needles piercing Tobias and Stacey.

Tobias stared at the screen, and his face turned pale and then became a deep, unhealthy red.

His lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a coherent sentence for a long moment. "No... This isn't true! It's doctored! Someone is framing me!"

Stacey panicked as well and instinctively covered her abdomen.

But she tried to maintain composure and tugged at Tobias's sleeve.

She forced a stiff smile toward the guests and said, "Please don't misunderstand us. This must be a prank! Effie, are you too nervous and accidentally playing the wrong video? Turn it off now!"

As she spoke, she venomously glared at me.

But soon, her eyes brimmed with tears. "Effie, I know you've been feeling down lately, but you can't joke about something like this. I'm your best friend, and Tobias is your fiancé. How could we betray you?"

Stacey's words seemed to awaken Tobias, and he suddenly snapped back to reality and tried to maintain an affectionate demeanor. "She's right, Effie. This is a maliciously edited video meant to ruin our wedding. Trust me, I've only ever loved you in my life. How could I be involved with Stacey, who is so mannish?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Stacey with disdain.

It looked more convincing than the video call yesterday evening.

Stacey's eyes briefly flashed with resentment, but she quickly concealed it. "Exactly, Effie, you know Tobias and I don't get along. How could we be together? Besides, why would I do something to hurt you?"

The guests began whispering among themselves. Some of them were skeptical, and others showed contempt.

Several of Tobias's friends stood up to smooth things over.

"That's right. It's definitely a misunderstanding. We know Tobias well, and he loves Effie dearly. How could he betray her? This video is clearly fabricated—way too fake!"

"Exactly, Effie. Don't overthink. Someone must be jealous and created this prank."

Upon hearing those words, Stacey's panic gradually faded, and she subtly lifted her chin.

A hint of smugness flashed in her eyes.

She seemed to be certain that I had no other evidence and that I had to let them deny everything.

She gently caressed her abdomen and said in a more aggrieved tone, "Effie, I know you might not trust me, but I truly haven't betrayed you. Even if I... even if I'm pregnant recently, it's only because I've found true love."

Her words caused an uproar in the room.

She was clearing herself up and even subtly suggested I was petty.

Tobias furrowed his brows and echoed in a heavy tone, "Effie, look at what you've done. You pushed Stacey to say that.

Even if she's pregnant with another guy's baby, it has nothing to do with us. Can't you let it go?"

Their synchronized act made it seem like I was unreasonable and tarnishing their reputation.

A few elders were unaware of the truth and began stopping me. "Effie, don't act impulsively. Since Tobias has said so, it must be a misunderstanding. Turn off the video, and don't make a scene in front of so many people."

I leaned against the stage edge, arms crossed, and gave a cold smile.

The more I watched their smugness, the deeper my hatred grew.

I wanted to see them crash at the peak of their triumph.

Seeing my silence, Tobias was not panicked at all.

He approached me step by step and attempted to hold my hand. "Effie, I'm sorry for the grievances you've suffered. It's all my fault for not foreseeing others' malicious intent. Can you forgive me? Let's continue the wedding and live happily ever after. Alright?"

As his hand was about to touch mine, I stepped back to avoid it.

I said coldly, "Have you finished your words?"