Marry My Ex's Rival at His Own Wedding

Chapter 5

Lucas Thornton stepped forward, impeccably dressed in a tailored tuxedo, and pulled me into his arms with a sense of calm authority.

Ryan and I froze in unison. His eyes widened, full of confusion and disbelief, while Lucas's gaze was soft, almost affectionate.

"Abigail, you look absolutely stunning today," Lucas said, his voice warm, his eyes filled with admiration.

"You can see now?" I asked, my voice betraying a hint of shock.

Ryan's anger flared. "Let go, Lucas Thornton! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

We both spoke at the same time, but Lucas simply looked down at me with a soft smile, his lips brushing my forehead in a gesture of possessiveness.

"To see my beautiful bride today, I had a corneal transplant surgery abroad," he explained, his voice unwavering. "I'm sorry I wasn't by your side when those petty people were trying to bring you down."

Then, with a subtle shift, he turned to face a stunned Ryan.

"Mr. Sullivan," Lucas began coolly, his eyes dark with disdain, "I'm holding my bride now. Do you have a problem with that?"

Ryan's mind raced, trying to comprehend how things had shifted so drastically. "Your bride? Who are you talking about?"

Lucas smirked, a mocking curve to his lips. "What's the matter, Mr. Sullivan? Are you blind too?"

"If you're looking for treatment, I know a good doctor I can recommend," he added with an edge of sarcasm.

I gave Lucas a knowing smile and linked my arm with his, turning to Ryan. "You guessed it. Today, I'm marrying Lucas Thornton."

"No!" Ryan's voice cracked with fury, his face twisted with disbelief.

"Abigail, you're my girlfriend! How can you marry someone else?"

The words hung in the air, and I couldn't help but smirk bitterly. Now, after everything, Ryan finally remembers I'm his girlfriend, but it's far too late.

"Ryan Sullivan, on what grounds are you interfering with my freedom?" I demanded. "Let's not forget, you're already married to Mia Hawkins. You've made your choice."

Ryan's face contorted, confusion and helplessness flashing across his features. He jabbed a trembling finger at Lucas.

"Abigail, I know you're just upset about Mia and me getting married, but you can't just rush into this! You can't marry someone like this, especially not Lucas Thornton!"

Lucas's smile disappeared. He turned on Ryan, his voice low and threatening.

"Ryan Sullivan, not everyone is as disgusting as you. I'm marrying Abigail Foster because I love her, not to get back at you or anyone else."

Ryan's frustration boiled over. "Abigail, don't be a fool! He's only known you a few months. How could he possibly love you?"

His eyes narrowed as he sneered, "He knows you've been with me for eight years, how could someone like him ever accept you as his bride?"

The insult hit me like a slap. He exposed my past in front of Lucas, humiliating me and leaving me no way to defend myself.

"Lucas Thornton, are you sure you want to marry a woman who's already been used by me?" Ryan taunted, his voice laced with venom.

I instinctively let go of Lucas's hand, clenching my fists as my body trembled with rage.

"See? Abigail, no one else will want you but me. Go home and wait for me. After Mia and I finish our wedding, I'll come see you tomorrow night."

My heart dropped, but I refused to let the tears fall. I turned to face Lucas, who was standing strong, his grip tightening around my hand, his voice like steel.

"What era are we in, Mr. Sullivan?" Lucas sneered. "You're still living in the past, clearly. Abigail was wronged. The blame lies with scumbags like you, not her."

His words were a lifeline, a shield that gave me the courage to stand tall.

"How could I ever look down on her?" Lucas continued, his eyes blazing. "Abigail's a victim of your selfishness, Ryan. She's the one who deserves sympathy, not you."

I raised my head and looked Ryan in the eyes, feeling no pity, only disgust.

"Ryan Sullivan, we're adults with the right to make our own choices," I said coldly. "You chose Mia. I don't blame you for that. But now, I've chosen Lucas. Don't interfere."

"Good exes should be like the dead. We've moved on. If we meet again, let's pretend we're strangers."

Lucas adjusted my veil with a tender smile. "Let's go. Our wedding ceremony's about to start."

As we passed Ryan, he suddenly grabbed my arm, yanking me back.

"Abigail Foster, stop this nonsense! Come back with me!"

I laughed softly, a bitter edge to my voice. "Go back? Ryan Sullivan, we can't go back. Not anymore."

"From now on, we're going our separate ways. Let go of me!"

Ryan's face twisted in desperation as he refused to let go. "Abigail, how can you do this to me?"

Lucas had had enough. He grabbed Ryan by the tie, yanking him forward with a cold sneer.

"Ryan Sullivan, am I being too nice to you?" he spat. "First, you stole my fiancée. Now you want to steal my bride? You really think the Thornton family is a doormat?"

The two men struggled briefly before Mia Hawkins, still in her wedding dress, rushed over, her eyes burning with venom.

"Ryan, our ceremony is about to start! Come on, let's go!"

Ryan pushed her away, his eyes locked on me, his voice ragged.

"Abigail, you win. Please, just come back with me..."

I turned to face him, unfeeling.

"Ryan Sullivan, I don't love you anymore. I'm Lucas Thornton's wife now. Stop pestering me."

Ryan stood there frozen, shaking his head in disbelief. "No… it shouldn't be like this..."

Lucas wrapped his arm around me, pulling me into the reception hall. He turned to the security guards at the door, his voice firm.

"Don't let any uninvited guests in. We don't want them spoiling the mood."

The door closed behind us, and Ryan's anguished voice faintly echoed through the hall.

"Abigail, you can't do this to me..."