Maureen Jared Audrey Novel Surprising my Boyfriend with My Wedding Without Him

About what father said years ago I paused, my voice barely rising above the music thumping through the villa walls. Im now agreeing to get married. Please tell him to arrange all the prep work. No need for romancemake it just formal.
There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end before my mothers familiar voice broke through. Are you sure about this? What about your boyfriend, Jared? Did you finally break up with him?
Not yet, I replied, firm but tired. Dont tell anyone about this yet. I swallowed the ache in my throat. Ill send the other list for the agreement and return home as soon as possible.
Then I hung up. The phone slid from my hand and dropped onto the soft mattress beside me. Thats when the noise outside clawed its way back into my senses.
It was Audreys birthday. The adopted daughter of my parents. The girl I once thought of as my little sister. The same girl Id defended from bullies back in high school, when the four of usme, Audrey, and my childhood friends Jared and Jacksonwere supposed to be a family.
Back then, I thought I was doing the right thing. That helping her would bring us closer. That we could all live in one house and laugh over dinner. I never imagined shed twist everything.
Audrey was clever like that. Shed wormed her way into everything. She used to tag along with usme, Jared, and Jackson. I didnt mind. At first. But then it was like she started trying to replace me. Whispering things to Jared when I wasnt looking. Making Jackson laugh in a way that used to be just mine. Still, I told myself not to overthink it.
But then I saw it. The kiss. It was supposed to be a quiet night. Just me and Jared who eventually became my boyfriend as we both confessed our love. Then, I caught him and Audrey kissing.
I let it gofor a while. But it happened again. And again.
Every time I asked, Jared brushed it off. Youre just jealous, hed say. Shes like a sister.
Jackson said the same. Dont ruin everything because youre being insecure, Maureen.
But it wasnt insecurity. It was betrayal.
And now, here I wasalone at her birthday party. Watching the three of them giggle and clink glasses like they were the main characters in some twisted romantic comedy. Jared had just taken a shotand with a laugh, he pressed the empty glass to Audreys lips, his free hand grazing her waist as if they were already lovers.
I couldnt breathe. I got up and quietly slipped back into one of the guest rooms upstairs. But just as I was pulling the blanket over my head, the door creaked open.
Maureen? Audreys voice was laced with fake concern. Theyre looking for you downstairs. Were about to do the fireworks.
I stayed still. Im tired and sleepy. Just go.
Come on She stepped closer. Its my birthday. Are you really going to be like this?
I turned to face her, my voice low. Audrey, isnt it enough that I was forced to be here?
She frowned. Do you really hate me now? Is it because you think I stole them from you? That was never my intention. Please we used to be best friends
Stop. I held up my hand. Just go enjoy your damn party.
But she wouldnt. She grabbed my wrist, tugging. Lets go. Itll be fun. Im happy when youre with me
Dont touch me! I tried to yank away, but her grip tightened.
In the struggle, we lost balance. We both fell backwardAudrey crashing into the small table beside the bed. The vase on top tipped and shattered, the shards slicing into our arms and shoulders.
Pain bloomed down my forearm, but before I could react, the door flew open.
My boyfriend Jared. He didnt rush to me. No. He ran to her.
Are you okay? Audreywhat happened?! he asked, checking her wounds, brushing the glass from her skin.
She pushed me, Audrey whimpered. I didnt mean toshe just
What the hell, Maureen?! Jared turned to me with a snarl. Youre ruining everything. Again.
I stared at him, speechless. Blood dripping from my hand.
She attacked me, I said, shaking. She pulled me. I told her to stop
But he wasnt listening. Neither was Jackson, who had now joined them. Youre always like this, he snapped. Jealous. Dramatic. Cant stand not being the center of attention.
Then I was told to apologize. Even with blood soaking through my sleeves, I was the one ruining her birthday.
Jackson grabbed me by the arm. Come on. Youre coming downstairs. Were celebrating. Youre not going to embarrass the family again.
So I went. Bruised, bleeding, humiliatedI stood beneath the fireworks, watching them laugh and dance.
Just one last time, I thought. One last time, Ill try. I joined the circle by the bonfire, fake smile painted on like war paint.
The music swelled. People cheered. I was swaying, barely holding it together when I felt the shove. Jared pushed me? How why?
I stumbled straight into the bonfires edge. Pain exploded up my arm as flames kissed my skin.
I screamed.
Someone screamed with meAudrey. She rushed to my side, panicked. Oh, god! Maureen is hurt! We need to call an ambulanceshes hurt
But Jared stepped in, shaking his head. Its nothing. Just a small burn. Shell get by. Its her punishment for hurting you a while ago."
And Jackson? He didnt even look at me.
No one helped.
I dragged myself away from the fire. Then I hailed a cab.
No one offered to take me to the hospital. No one cared that I was bleeding.
But that was fine because this is the last time theyre going to hurt me again.


Its a good thing you came in right away, the nurse said as she gently cleaned the raw skin of my arm. This is a second-degree burn, and you needed stitches too.
I didnt respond. Just nodded. The white ceiling above me blurred. I stayed at the hospital for two more days.
Not a call. Not a single message. No Are you okay? No Sorry for what happened.
Nothing. They didnt even care enough to pretend.
On the second evening, I found myself aimlessly scrolling through my phone. Maybe some part of me still hoped theyd reached out. But all I found were photos.
Bright, glowing snapshots of Audrey in her brand-new red dress, smiling between Jared and Jackson. Champagne glasses raised. That same smirk on her lips that she always wore when she knew she had won.