The Wedding Bet: You Changed The Venue I Changed The Groom Chapter 01
The Wedding Bet
Exactly one week before my dream wedding in Ireland, my so-called best friend suddenly calls me.
“Aria, is the wedding in Ireland or Iceland?”
I pause. “Ireland, of course.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, she cheers over the phone.
“I won!”
“I knew Aria wouldn’t notice we changed the venue to Iceland! Don’t forget my prize!”
Julian Sinclair chuckles and takes the phone.
“Aria, you’re getting married in a week, and you didn’t even know we changed the venue!”
“Hurry up and change your flight, unless you don’t plan on getting married anymore.”
The call abruptly ends.
Last month, they bet on how long it would take me to notice my wedding dress was swapped for Serena’s favorite vintage royal style.
Half a year ago, they bet on whether I’d notice Serena wearing the Sinclair family heirloom sapphire necklace—the one meant for the future Mrs. Sinclair.
Now, they are even using our wedding venue to make a bet.
I pick up my phone. Instead of changing my flight, I reply to a text buried deep in my inbox.
“One week from now. Wedding in Ireland. Are you in?”
This time, it is my turn to bet.
Let’s see how long it takes them to notice the groom has been changed.
A photo from the wedding planner pops up on my phone.
It is the welcome portrait for the wedding reception.
Serena wears a gorgeous vintage wedding gown, smiling at Julian.
Meanwhile, I am wearing plain clothes, kneeling to adjust her train like a maid.
My phone rings. The planner sounds apologetic.
“Miss Aria, I’m so sorry. Mr. Sinclair told me not to tell you about the venue change…”
“And just now, he told me to replace your wedding portrait with this one. He said he and Miss Serena were betting on how long it would take you to notice.”
“But this is going too far. Anyone who sees it will think Mr. Sinclair is marrying Miss Serena. You should talk to him and have it changed back before the wedding…”
I stare at their intertwined fingers on the screen and answer calmly.
“No need to change it. Just use this one. Do whatever Julian wants for the wedding.”
“Huh? Um… all right.”
The planner hesitates but doesn’t say anything else.
I hang up and pull out the original proposal for the Irish wedding.
Every page is covered in my notes. From the choice of the church to the type of bouquet, I confirmed everything piece by piece.
A month ago, when I did the final check, Julian even teased me:
“What? Afraid I’ll make another bet with Serena? Don’t worry, a wedding is a big deal. I’d never mess with something this important.”
I pick up a pen and cross out the groom’s name on the proposal, stroke by stroke.
I replace it with Ethan.
Just as I finish, the door is suddenly pushed open.
“What are you doing?”
Julian wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.
I wave the wedding proposal and use the movement to slip out of his arms.
“The groom’s name was wrong. I was changing it.”
“How could the groom’s name be wrong?”
He freezes for a second. Just as he reaches for the proposal, his phone vibrates.
His hand naturally changes direction, reaching for the phone on the coffee table instead.
It is a voice message from Serena.
“A bet is a bet. Don’t you dare cheat.”
Julian chuckles and types back, “Okay.”
When he looks back at me, he holds out a Cartier LOVE bracelet.
“Do you like it?”
I look down at it, stunned.
This bracelet has been sitting in my shopping cart for almost a year.
Every time I wanted to buy it, I couldn’t bring myself to spend that much.
I didn’t expect him to actually notice.
“Thank you.”
I purse my lips and thank him softly.
But before the warmth can even rise in my chest, my left ring finger suddenly feels empty.
“If you like it, lend me your engagement ring for a few days.”
Seeing my shock, he smiles and kisses the back of my hand.
“Serena won the bet about the wedding venue, right? This ring is her prize.”
He pauses.
“Don’t worry, I’m just lending it to her for fun. I’ll definitely give it back on the wedding day.”
The living room light hits Julian’s face. For a moment, I see the man he was four years ago.
He pointed at the engraving inside the ring and smiled at me.
“Aria, you’re the love of my life. This isn’t just a ring. It’s a promise that you’re the only woman I’ll ever love.”
But it turns out, his love can be lent out so easily.
I smile lightly.
“No need to return it.”
I don’t need the ring anymore.
Or the man.