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482words2026-01-26 09:07

My childhood friend,Henry Carter,was the devoted second male lead in a romantic drama trope.
After awakening,he knew I'd lose everything to the story's heroine,the adopted daughter and die tragically.
Eyes red with pity,he swore he'd never betray me.

But later,I was jilted at the altar because he went for the heroine,chasing her abroad in a blaze of passion.
Five years later,I was a rising star in the business world,while he could only raise a toast to me from the crowd's edge.
After the gala,his voice hoarse,he pleaded For me to say anything to him.
I thought it over,smiling:"Henry,thank you for not marrying me."
...
At my company's IPO gala,I saw Henry,the groom who ran out on our wedding.

No date by his side,he was impeccably dressed,but anyone could see it was a facade.
These past years,everyone knew that the Carter heir neglected his duties.Carter Industries nearly collapsed,surviving only because I made three investments.
Publicly,the Carters thanked me by gifting me 10% of their stake.
No one knew I'd already quietly amassed control,buying out directors,actually holding 55%of Carter Industries.

Now,I was the one calling the shots.
Five years ago,Henry abandoned me at the altar,leaving me to face ridicule.
The Carters blamed my parent’s adopted daughter for seducing their son,then retaliated against my family's company,Bennett Enterprises.
The had a crowd gathering in front of our office building,Bennett Enterprises’s reputation tanked,and my dad died of a heart attack.
Mom soon withered away in grief.
On her deathbed,she gripped my hand,begging me to care for the adopted daughter.
They'd cherished me for years,only to spit on me for her,breaking my heart again and again,even signing a document to disown me.
Their tragic end left me oddly wistful.
Five years later,the once untouchable elite in the city,Henry Carter,was now on the bench,unworthy of even toasting me.
Time had changed everything.
I smiled,schmoozing with business titans,and my gaze only swept across Henry.
Ignoring him myself,those around him wouldn't spare him a glance.
Henry,always the center of attention,had never faced such coldness.
He pushed through the crowd,eyes heavy,voice icy:"Sophia,I'm back."
He spoke so casually,as if he'd just been on a short trip,not abandoned me at our wedding.
I feigned surprise,raising my glass to return his toast from afar.
"Henry,it’s been a while."
With my lead,others suddenly noticed the isolated Henry,raising glasses to him too.
Some grinned,sidling up to tease:"Young Mr.Carter's back to announce good news?No running from this wedding,right?"
"First time's a fluke,second time's a pro."
"Being jilted at the altar,her company crushed by Carter Industries—well,well,only Ms.Bennett could forgive you."
The room was brightly lit.Henry stood in the light,face paling.
He looked at me,panicked,lips moving but saying nothing.
He likely didn't know the dirty things the Carters were up to in private.He wanted to explain,but he was the first to betray me.
I gulped down my wine,smiling graciously.
Swallowing all bitterness with it.
"Henry,here’s twishing you a happy marriage."