The Day Before Her Wedding, My Future Son Warned Me

My girlfriend was getting married, and I didn't find out until the day before.

You invited everyone? Everyone but me?

She twirled in her wedding dress. Babe, you know my whole brand is anti-marriage. The wedding has to be solojust me. If we actually got married, we'd both get torn apart online.

She rubbed her stomach without a care in the world. It's your baby. What more do you want?

She kissed me with a smile, then pulled out her phone and asked me to pay the remaining hundred thousand for the banquet.

The second I finished the transfer, a messaging app chat window I'd never seen popped up on my phone. The sender claimed to be my future son.

"Dad, you need to go save Mom right nowshe's about to get forced into marrying some old guy again."

I frowned. My girlfriend wouldn't even marry me. How was she getting forced into marrying some old man?

I was about to lock the screen when another message came through.

"Oh wait, I forgotyou're still being played by that gold digger. The baby she's carrying isn't yours, and she already got a courthouse marriage with your best friend!"

The words hit like ice water dumped over my head. I couldn't believe it.

Ruby and I had been together for five years. I had never noticed a single thing off about her.

She was already sitting on the couch, livestreaming with a bright smile. Why marry myself? Because I'm an independent woman. I can give myself everything I

She talked effortlessly into the camera, not a flicker of guilt on her face.

I told myself the messages were a prank. But once the doubt took root, I couldn't stop it.

This person claiming to be my future son said she'd been with my best friend all along.

I only had one best friend.

When Ruby went to take a shower, I picked up her phone.

We trusted each other completely. We never looked through each other's phones.

Her phone was cleantoo clean, the kind of clean that's trying to hide something. I ran a tech company. I recognized a hidden second system the moment I saw one.

The pinned contact on her hidden messaging app had a profile picture I knew by heart. I tapped into their chat history, and my stomach dropped.

I'm pregnant. It's yours. Miles didn't touch me last month. I don't want to keep pretending with him anymore.

Be patient, babe. Our target is his company. We need to give our baby a better life.

My eyes burned. I nearly smashed the phone right there.

My girlfriend and my best friendSebastianscheming together to take everything from me.

When I'd hit rock bottom years ago, Sebastian had given me the money he'd saved for his own wedding so I could rebuild.

After I made it, I never once shortchanged him.

And Ruby had come from nothing. I put her through college. Bought her a house. Bought her a car.

Back when my startup was barely surviving, she'd leave before dawn for side jobs, come home after dark, and still make me meals that wouldn't wreck my stomach. Every friend I had envied us.

And the truth slapped me across the face and ground every last shred of my dignity into dust.

I kept scrolling through their messages.

But you promised you'd marry me this year.

So throw a solo wedding. You can ride the buzz for more followers. Tell Miles to stay away so nobody gets suspicious, and I'll come as a guest.

The phone shook in my hand, and the ache in my chest twisted so tight I couldn't breathe.

I immediately messaged the person claiming to be my sonWhat else do you know?

The reply came instantlyDad, you're smart enough that you've probably already found the proof. What happens later is she has the baby, then she sweet-talks you into putting most of your shares in her name and the kid's. After that, you get kicked off the board. You can't handle the double betrayal, you nearly get hit by a car and killed, and Mom is the one who saves you.

A cold dread crawled up through me, and no amount of rage could push it back down.

Finally, I asked himWho is your mother? Where is she?

Ruby stepped out of the bathroom, still humming to herself.

Miles, that new skincare your assistant bought me is terrible. Tell her to get the expensive one again.

Something about the way she looked made me lose focus for a second.

There was a time when Ruby Dickerson lit up over a ten-dollar bouquet of roses I'd bought her.

My expression darkened. Ask your baby's father to buy it.

Ruby froze.

I caught the flash of panic across her face, and my chest seized with a sharp, ugly pain.

Back in that cramped studio apartment, she'd given herself to me willingly.

She told me that even if the whole world threw me away, she'd still be right beside me.

She told me the father of her children would only ever be me.

Ruby faked annoyance. What are you even talking about? You are the father of my baby.

She wrapped her arms around my waist, pressed herself against me, then slipped into the master bedroom.

Can't do that during the first few months. Separate rooms tonight. Good night!

The door shut behind her. My phone lit up.

I'd set up a home security app on her phone just minutes ago. Their messaging app chat window was mirroring to my screen in real time.

He's still mad I won't marry him. Now he won't even claim the baby.

Had to hug him a few times to calm him down. Made my skin crawl.

Hang in there babe. We already got our courthouse marriage, remember? If he touches you, we'll sue.

My hands were shaking.

I had never once doubted either of them. In front of me, those two always acted like they couldn't stand each other.

I saved every screenshot, then spent the rest of the night pulling up every home security camera in the house. Every room. Every corner. They'd been in nearly all of them.

I doubled over the trash can and threw up until my stomach was empty, eyes raw and stinging, tears running down my face that I couldn't stop.

I drove through the night to the woman's place and held out my hand.

Will you marry me?

The next morning, fans packed the entrance of the biggest hotel in Riverton for Ruby Dickerson's singlehood wedding event.

Ruby stepped out of the bridal car in a white gown.

She saw me standing at the hotel entrance, and the color drained from her face.

Didn't I tell you not to come? If my fans see you here, everything's ruined.

Once she went inside, I watched the message she fired off to Sebastian.

His money will be ours eventually. The man's a lovesick idiot. He can't survive without me.

I smiled coldly and killed the screen.

I followed the crowd inside and walked straight up to the emcee's side onstage.

Ruby frowned. What do you think you're doing?

I half-smiled at her, all teeth and no warmth. This venue's booked under my name, paid with my money. You tell me what I'm doing.

I turned to face the crowd below. Welcome, everyone, to my wedding.

The look on Ruby's face curdled. I can't have a wedding with you. You'll destroy my career.

She turned to the audience and laughed. This is my friend. He's just joking around.

Down in the front row, Sebastian Delgado sat in the most prominent seat in the house, wearing a couture suit.

That suit was worth millions. I'd barely gotten my hands on it myself, but he asked twice and I handed it over.

Because I thought he was my brother.

Ruby pointed to a seat crammed in a back corner. Sit over there.

I didn't move from the stage.

A faint smugness crossed her face. She turned to her fans and friends below. Just a suitor of mine. The man is obsessed.

Applause erupted. Our Ruby is just that irresistible! But boys, hands off the queen!

The people who actually knew what Ruby and I were to each other just sat there, faces tight, not a word between them.

They were all major players in the business world. Ruby had invited them using my name.

For years they'd tried to set me up with their daughters, and every time I'd turned them down.

I'd talked about Ruby like she hung the moon. Every word I'd ever said about her was coming back to hit me in the face now, twice as hard.

They stood up. Ms. Dickerson, if this is your singlehood wedding, then there's no reason for us to be here.

Her fans erupted instantly.

What's that supposed to mean? Sticking up for this pathetic clingy loser?

Ruby turned her back to the crowd and grabbed at me. Miles, if they leave, I'll be all over social media getting torn apart.

Her fingers tugged at the hem of my jacket, shaking it back and forth.

But when her fans called me a pathetic loser, she didn't say a word.

I turned to the business partners who'd stood up for meStay. Sit down. You didn't bring gift money for nothing. Today really is my wedding.

Ruby pinched my arm hard. That's not what this is! Do you have to marry me today? Come on, Miles.

Sebastian suddenly stood. Miles, a man's supposed to have some class. Since when are you this overbearing?

I looked at him and smiled. Finally showing his true face.

My son had told me what happened after Ruby and Sebastian worked together to drain me dry. They didn't live happily ever after.

Sebastian only wanted to use her to steal my money.

Once he had it, he burned through everythingkept pretty actresses around, then married some young college girl on the side. Ruby and the child were swept out the door.

You really think I'd love a woman Miles Henson already used up? Who even knows whose kid a slut like you is carrying.

So now Sebastian was standing up for her. The only reason was simple: my money still wasn't in his pocket yet, but Ruby's influencer incomehundreds of thousands a monthwas already landing in his account.

Overbearing?

I let out a cold laugh.

A large group of people swept through the hotel entrance. I smiled and greeted them.

Ruby went pale. Why is your whole family here? I'm not joking around, Miles. I am not marrying you today.

I waved my parents to their seats.

Ruby's fans lost it. He's forcing her to marry him! Freeloader!

Security was already asking them to vacate their seats. The fans refused. What the hell is this? We're calling the cops!

Ruby was seething. Miles, do you have to cause a scene today? I'll make it up to you with a wedding later, all right?

She shoved me back and screamed at the crowd belowHe's an obsessive pursuer who's been pressuring me to marry him! I never agreed, and now he's trying to force it!

Her fans rallied behind her, some of them already shoving my family members.

My parents came up to me. Miles, whatwhat's going on here?

They glanced at Ruby a few times but didn't dare say anything.

My parents had met Ruby before. Every time, she'd been sweet, warm, attentive. Now she was pointing in their faces and screamingWhat kind of parents raised a son like this?!

My parents were getting older. All they wanted was to see me married, to have grandchildren.

I steadied them. Go sit back down.

Ruby's fans wouldn't give up their seats, so my family ended up shuffled to other tables at the edges of the room. Dishes were brought out and set down in front of them there.

Sebastian came up onto the stage too. He leaned close to my ear.

Miles, what's gotten into you today?

I shook him off and gave him one long look.

Funny. You're dressed just like the groom.

His expression locked up. What are you talking about? Ruby said I should come as her public rival. That way I can sit in the audience and the fans won't get suspicious.

The emcee opened his mouth. Welcome, everyone, to the wedding of Miles Henson.

Ruby and Sebastian traded a look.

Down below, the fans exploded. Phones were already up, livestreaming the whole thing to tear me apart.

This guy's a CEO and he pulls this? Disgusting. This is what money and power look like when they think they can buy a person.

Our Ruby can take care of herself! Get lost! Get lost!

My assistant called in a panicpeople were flooding in reports against the company.

The livestream chat was nothing but abuse.

Someone had already photoshopped my face onto a funeral portrait and blasted it across every platform.

Wanted a marriage certificate? Here's your memorial photo instead. Go die.

Ruby scrolled through post after post. Not a single word in my defense.

Honeycan you please stop making a scene?

The guests were shifting in their seats. What's going on here? He didn't even work this out with the bride first, and he's trying to get married?

Her fans chantedGet off! Get off!

The chanting kept going.

I still didn't say a word.

Half an hour. That's all it would take for my bride to finish her makeup and arrive.

I turned to the guests. The bride and I have already talked this through. We've got our marriage certificate.

Ruby and Sebastian both looked stunned. Especially Ruby.

She stepped forward. Sweetheart, how could you lie to them like that? Faking a marriage certificate is a crime. You could go to jail.

The second before her fingers could touch it, I passed the certificate to my parents.

They ran their thumbs over the photo. This girl is beautiful.

Ruby's lips curled when she heard that. Calm down, okay? We'll get married quietly in a little while. Just give me some face today.

She shoved at me, trying to push me off the stage. Alright, enough of this. I guess I'm just too irresistible.

Her fans rolled their eyes. How embarrassing. Faking a marriage certificate? Even teenage fangirls don't pull stunts like that anymore.

A glass of wine hit me full in the face. It ran down, soaking through my suit.

I raised a hand and wiped the wine from my face. Sebastian. What do you mean by that?

He wore his best righteous expression. How can you bully a woman like this? I never should have given you money to start that companyall it did was let you do harm!

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

So he built his whole business off his buddy's money. What an ungrateful piece of work.

The guy standing up for Ruby is probably her boyfriend, right? I remember her saying she'd date when she felt like it.

Where no one else could see, Sebastian leaned in close and whisperedYou're usually so clear-headed. Why did you have to make a scene today? You and Ruby have such a good thing. I can't just stand by and watch you two fall apart over this.

I shoved him hard and walked out the door.

Behind me, the fans got in their parting shots. Ran off like a stray dog with his tail between his legs. Pathetic.

Outside, I had my assistant bring a fresh suit.

My phone was already lighting up.

Three minutes until arrival at the venue.

My son had sent a message too.

That Ruby Dickerson also stole company secrets and gave them to Sebastian. He sold them to your competitor. That's a crime too.

I handed every file, every piece of evidence, to the AV crew backstage.

When I give the signal, you put these up on the big screen. One by one.

I straightened my tie and walked back into the venue in long, steady strides.

The doors swung open. Ruby was already up on stage, dancing with easy grace.

Sebastian was her partner.

The fans below were going wild, cheering with everything they had.

Ruby, this guy's pretty cute! And he knows how to treat you. Honestly, just lock him down!

They were deep in it now, Sebastian's arm wrapped around Ruby's waist, the two of them pressed close with zero daylight between them.

Ruby laughed and called down to the crowdWatch and learn, girls! What matters most is having a good time while you canespecially with men. If he's fun, play with him a little.

She grabbed Sebastian's collar, yanked it down, and pressed her lips to his.

My footsteps gave me away. They were still pressed close, reluctant to let gothen they saw me, and the color drained from both their faces. They sprang apart.

The fans below were livid. God, you just won't go away, will you? How desperate can you get!

My parents and their whole group, who'd just been escorted out again, had all filtered back in.

The fans were riled up, hurling insults at me.

Ruby looked flustered, caught off guard.

But deep down she believed I couldn't leave her, and that gave her all the confidence she needed.

What's wrong? You're the one chasing me. Who I kiss is none of your business.

I clapped my hands. Security flooded in through the doors, and every last one of those fans was escorted to their feet.

If you still want to stay at my wedding, you can stand. Your influencer didn't spend a cent on seats for any of you.

One look from me and someone pulled Ruby and Sebastian down from the stage too.

Ruby screamedYou can't marry anyone! Miles, you love me this much and you'd really stoop this low?!

The staff cleared the wreckage in record time.

The emcee picked up the program. Now, please welcome the bride!

Ruby scoffed, arms folded across her chest. I'm not marrying you today. Let's see how you finish this little show.

She and Sebastian glared at me with open contempt.

Phones shot back up across the room, every lens aimed at the stage.

What an embarrassment. I'd love to see where he pulls a bride from if Ruby won't have him.

The doors swung wide, and a woman in a wedding gown walked slowly inside.

I took the bouquet and walked toward her.

Ruby charged forward in disbelief. You've lost your mind! Just because I said no, you dragged some random woman in here?!

She dropped her voice low, just for meI'm carrying your child. I won't let you marry her!

I shoved her off hard. You know exactly whose bastard that is.

Ruby, you're a married woman. What right do you have to tell me not to marry?