Marry My Ex's Rival at His Own Wedding

Chapter 3

I glanced down at my bandaged hand, silently mocking myself. In the rearview mirror, Ryan was still grinning at his phone, completely unaware of what was going on around him.

When the car stopped, he saw the jewelry store sign, and his expression instantly went cold. He stepped in front of me as I tried to get out, clearly displeased.

"Abigail Foster, I told you we'd talk about this later. Why are you pushing me?" he snapped.

"Mia and I just got our marriage certificate. We're not having a wedding. No one knows about it. Once things calm down, we'll quietly divorce," I shot back, trying to keep my voice steady.

Before he could respond, Mia interrupted, holding up a one-carat diamond ring with a pout. "Ryan, look at this! Isn't it gorgeous?"

Ryan immediately plastered on a fake smile. "Anything Mia likes is beautiful."

"Can I buy this for our wedding ring? We're getting married in five days."

I paused, catching a glimpse of Ryan awkwardly turning his face away.

It was all lies, but whatever. In five days, it would be my wedding too, just as he said. We'd both be married to other people, and our paths would never cross again.

The salesperson brought over the ring Lucas had ordered, a stunning pink diamond that shimmered brightly in the light.

I slid the ring onto my finger, and I could see Mia's jealousy flare. Her eyes were practically burning with envy.

"Sister Abigail, I love that ring. Can I try it on?" she asked, her voice dripping with sweetness, but her greed was obvious.

The salesperson quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, that ring is already reserved. Would you like to see something else?"

Mia's face turned red with rage. "Sister Abigail, are you really trying to sabotage me? Are you working with the staff here to mess with my wedding?"

She raised her voice, adding in a false whine, "I just want to feel like a bride for once. Can't you let me have it?"

"No! I'm getting married in five days too!" I snapped, frustration rising.

Ryan's expression darkened even more. "Abigail Foster, when did I ever say I was marrying you?"

I rolled my eyes. "Ryan Sullivan, don't flatter yourself. I'm not marrying you."

He gave a bitter laugh. "After being with me for eight years, who else would want you? You're damaged goods. Know your place. Don't keep dreaming about things that'll only hurt you."

Without warning, he yanked at the diamond ring on my finger, pulling it roughly as if trying to rip it off. He tried to slip it onto Mia's finger, but it was too small.

"I want this ring. Can you resize it? How much is it?" Ryan asked, his tone dripping with annoyance.

The salesperson calmly gave him the price, and both their faces drained of color.

"Sister Abigail, you don't have to do this. Inflating prices to cheat us? Really?" Mia snapped, her fake sweetness slipping away.

Ryan shook his head, clearly disappointed. "I never thought you'd be this cruel."

They stormed out of the store, and I took a deep breath before my phone buzzed with a call from Lucas.

"Do you like the ring? Don't forget, we still need to try on the wedding dress later."

"I love it," I replied, though it barely registered.

When I arrived at the bridal shop Lucas had picked out, I saw Mia immediately caressing an off-shoulder wedding dress, as if she had already claimed it for herself.

"Miss Hawkins, I'm sorry, but that dress has already been reserved," the consultant explained politely.

Mia's face hardened. "I want that one. Call the person who reserved it. I'll pay 10% more to take it."

The consultant looked at me with a spark of recognition. "The person who reserved it is here. Miss Hawkins, why don't you talk to her yourself?"

Mia's gaze turned icy the moment she saw me. "Sister Abigail, why do you always have to be in my way? First you steal my engagement ring, and now my wedding dress?"

Ryan, standing beside her, glared at me. "Abigail, you say you're done with me, but you're still pushing me to marry you with rings and dresses. You really are pathetic."

"If you show up to crash the wedding, I won't even acknowledge you. Just let Mia have the ring and the dress!" he added, his voice thick with contempt.

I smirked. "Who says buying a ring and a dress means I'm marrying you? You're not the only man in the world."

Ryan's face twisted between anger and humiliation. Seeing this, Mia stormed off, covering her face in exaggerated distress.

"Ryan, since you've already ordered the ring and dress, I'm the one who's unnecessary here. I'll leave…" I started to turn away.

"Abigail Foster!" Ryan bellowed, grabbing a pair of scissors from the counter and slashing at the wedding dress.

"I'll show you what happens when you try to force me to marry you and make Mia cry!" he shouted, his eyes wild with fury.

"You want a wedding? Let's see how you do without a dress!" he added, his words dripping with venom.

The dress, specially rushed by a top Milan designer at Lucas's request, was shredded before my eyes. I tried to stop him, but he shoved me to the ground, and the sharp scissors sliced through my other hand.

Ryan lost all control, slashing the dress to pieces and stomping on it in frustration.

"Abigail Foster, you want to marry me? Keep dreaming!"

"If you show up to mess with the wedding in five days, you'll end up like this dress, ruined!" he spat, storming off without another glance at me as he chased after Mia.

Still reeling, I picked up my phone as it buzzed again.