He Used Me As A Testing Tool Chapter 01
On the eve of Lisette Maloney’s wedding, I, her bridesmaid, was tricked and locked in a room with the groom, Ryan Presley.
Soon, the drug laced in my drink kicked in, and my whole body burned.
To keep myself from losing control, I smashed a glass and slashed my arm open again and again with a shard.
Then I stayed in the bathtub, filled with cold water, for the entire night.
At dawn, my fiancé, Gabriel Austen, came in with Lisette.
His gaze brushed over me before he turned to Lisette and smiled. “Looks like Ryan passed the test. You can marry him without worry.”
Lisette glanced at him coyly. “Good call, Gabe. If it were another woman, I’d be worried things would get messy afterward.”
My mind went completely blank. My lips trembled as I looked at Gabriel and demanded, “You were the one who drugged me?”
Gabriel walked over and took off his jacket, draping it over my soaked body.
“Lise has some pre-wedding jitters, so I figured I’d help her see if Ryan’s heart is truly in it.
“Besides, we’re getting married in two months. Who else could I ask for help but you?
“Anyway, nothing happened. Go and get changed. It’s time to carry out your duties as a bridesmaid.”
I looked at the bone-deep wounds on my arm and let out a bitter laugh.
“Gabriel, we are done.”
***
Gabriel froze for a moment, then smirked. “Julie, it’s my fault for not discussing it with you beforehand.
“But if I had told you, you wouldn’t have cooperated.
“As my fiancée, I expected you to be more understanding. It was just a minor favor for a friend. Besides, you’re perfectly fine, aren’t you?”
“Perfectly fine?” I repeated.
Then I raised my arm, covered in deep cuts, my fingers trembling.
“To stay conscious, I cut my own arm and soaked in cold water for six hours.
“Gabriel, I’m your fiancée, not a tool for you to test someone else’s loyalty!”
Ryan had woken up at some point.
He heard everything we said, his expression shifting from confusion to shock.
“You… planned this?” he asked.
“Lisette, what do you take our wedding for?”
He looked at Lisette, his eyes flashing with pure disgust.
Lisette flinched, then doubled down. “Ryan, I only did it because I love you so much. Besides, it was just a little test…”
Ryan let out a cold laugh and ripped the boutonniere from his chest.
“Your love makes me sick. This wedding is off.”
Then, he left the room without looking back.
Lisette froze in place, then suddenly turned to look at me after a few seconds.
“Julianna, did something really happen between you two? Why would he call off the wedding as soon as he woke up?!”
At those words, Gabriel’s eyes blazed with rage.
He grabbed my wrist tightly until it hurt.
“Julianna, did something really happen between you and him?”
I frowned, finding it completely absurd.
“Are you listening to yourself? Look at me—soaking wet. I clearly spent the entire night in cold water!”
Beside us, Lisette started sobbing. “Gabe, maybe this is for the best. The Presley family isn’t rich, and Ryan made such a fuss over a little test.
“It’s not a complete waste, though. At least we know Julie is truly devoted to you.
“To put on a show for you, she even cut herself with glass.”
Gabriel’s gaze darkened. He suddenly flung my hand away as if he had touched something filthy.
“Think about what you’ve done.”
Without another word, he left with Lisette.
I stood frozen, feeling utterly helpless.
I had done nothing wrong, yet I was treated like dirt and looked down on!
After they left, I struggled to crawl out. With every step I took, a bloody footprint was left behind.
I had to get to the hospital.
When I walked out of the room, the wedding venue was right across from me.
The guests were anxiously waiting, but Ryan still hadn’t appeared.
I held onto the wall and stumbled into the hall.
I wanted to call for an ambulance, but my voice came out as faint as a whisper.
“Help…”
Lisette stood at the center of the altar, facing all the guests and Ryan’s parents, Jason and Emily Presley.
When she saw me, a trace of malice appeared in her eyes.
“Jason, Emily, you have to help me out!”
She suddenly pointed at me and burst into loud sobs. “I spent the night waiting with a heart full of hope, ready to walk down the aisle, but Ryan was nowhere to be found.
“Just now, I saw him in the same room with my bridesmaid.
“After I caught them, Ryan lashed out at me, called the whole thing off, and disappeared!”