Marry My Ex's Rival at His Own Wedding

Chapter 6

The door finally clicked shut, and I let out a sigh of relief.

I turned to Lucas with an apologetic look.

"Lucas Thornton, I don't understand why you'd marry me."

"Whether it's genuine or just to get back at Ryan, it's true, I lived with him for eight years. If you have any doubts, I can explain everything to the guests."

"I know I embarrassed you today. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you, I'll do my best."

I was about to say more when his lips covered mine.

It felt like an eternity before he finally pulled away, leaving my heart racing.

"You are my wife. The wife I asked for, sincerely," he said, looking deep into my eyes.

"I have no right to change your past. If anyone's to blame, it's me for not meeting you sooner."

"Abigail Foster, you agreed to marry me. You can't back out now."

Dazed, I was pulled onto the stage. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Lucas knelt and solemnly placed the ring on my finger.

"Abigail Foster, whether in wealth or poverty, I will love you forever."

It felt like a dream. He guided me around, toasting guests. By the end, I hadn't drunk much, but he seemed a little tipsy.

In the car, he buried his head in my arms and mumbled,

"Wifey, my head hurts..."

We arrived at the bridal suite Lucas had prepared. The silence in the room felt intense, and I didn't know whose heartbeat was racing.

I washed a towel to wipe his face, but then he suddenly grabbed my hand.

In one swift motion, he flipped me onto my back, gazing at me intently.

"Abigail Foster, you've finally become my wife."

"I'm serious. This is not a joke."

Our breaths mixed, and before I knew it, we were lost in passion, making love until dawn, exhausted and tangled in each other.

The next morning, I was woken by a phone call. Lucas wasn't beside me anymore.

It was my best friend, sounding giddy.

"Abigail, you should've seen Ryan Sullivan's face yesterday."

"His wedding with that Mia girl fell through too. I spilled the beans about your eight-year relationship, and now the internet is tearing that homewrecker apart."

"Men are all scum. They don't appreciate what they have but can't let go once they've lost it."

"I heard he was lurking outside your bridal suite all night. Serves him right!"

After hanging up, I saw Mia Hawkins' social media flooded with comments, condemning her for being a homewrecker. I blocked them without a second thought.

Lucas came out of the kitchen wearing an apron, carrying a plate with heart-shaped eggs and a fruit platter.

"Tired from last night? Why didn't you sleep in?"

The memories from the night before flashed through my mind, and I felt my face burn. I dove under the covers.

Lucas climbed over and hugged me, blanket and all.

In our fumbling, things got heated again. By the time we properly got out of bed, the eggs were cold.

Later that evening, we went to the Thornton family mansion for dinner. Lucas's parents were kind, and his mother personally brought out a fine jade jewelry set to give me.

"I heard that emerald set was broken. Wear this one from now on."

"Having you marry into our family is the greatest honor."

Lucas, ever the joker, added,

"I heard you have a beautiful pink tourmaline set. You're getting too old for flashy things, anyway. Why not pass it on to Abigail?"

"You ungrateful boy! Forgetting your mother after getting a wife!"

But his mother still doted on him and insisted on putting the tourmaline set around my neck.

"My daughter-in-law looks so beautiful! Elegant and dignified! Not like that Sullivan girl, small eyes, looking like she doesn't belong in high society!"

The Thornton family was fiercely protective, but I didn't mind.

That night, as we returned home, we saw Ryan Sullivan waiting outside our door, looking miserable. Lucas was carrying me on his back because my feet were sore.

Ryan stared at us, his heart bitter, then blocked our way, looking at me with hope.

"Abigail, I didn't go through with the wedding to Mia."

I raised an eyebrow. "So? That's your problem. What does it have to do with me?"

Ryan became desperate. "How can it not be related?

"I love you, Abigail. You're the one I want to marry."

"We were engaged!"

I laughed bitterly. "No, we weren't. You ran off and married Mia without even telling me."

He lowered his head, shame washing over him.

"Abigail, I was impulsive. I made a huge mistake."

"You sold our home. I can't find anything that reminds me of us anymore. I'm lost without you..."

"Abigail, I'm sorry."

I calmly shook my head. "No need to apologize."

"Abigail, I know you still love me. You won't hold this against me."

Before he could finish, I cut him off.

"I said I'll never forgive you. Not in this lifetime."

Ryan's face fell. He crouched down, clutching his head in agony.

"Abigail, I just made a mistake. Please forgive me."

"Give me one more chance. I'll prove I'm serious this time!"

I shook off his grip.

"Ryan Sullivan, we're both married now. Let's not drag this out anymore."

"You chose Mia. Stick with your choice."

Ryan refused to give up.

"Why? We were together for eight years. You promised you would marry me. Why did you marry someone else?"

"Abigail, Lucas only wants you right now. He's a playboy. Are you sure he'll stay faithful?"

Lucas, standing beside me, was furious.

He kicked Ryan to the ground.

"Scumbag, you think everyone is as useless as you?"

"I'm not like you. I won't cheat. I'm not going to marry someone else while still involved with my girlfriend."

Then he turned to me, proudly swearing to the heavens.

"Honey, believe me. I don't have any ‘mosquitoes' buzzing around me!"

"You saw it last night. I was pure and innocent."

His words erased all doubts in my mind. He had been inexperienced that first night...

"Honey, I want to sleep holding my sweet wife again tonight..."

Lucas was relentless, but he was so charming in his own way.

Ryan, witnessing the scene, couldn't bear it any longer. He staggered and collapsed, muttering.

"Abigail, my head hurts..."

Ryan used to complain about headaches when under stress. I had even learned massage techniques to help him. But this time, I hesitated.

Just as I was about to turn back, Lucas closed his eyes and leaned against me.

"Abigail, I drank too much earlier. I'm about to faint..."

I rolled my eyes at his bad acting but still helped him inside.

"Stop pretending. You only had yogurt tonight."

Lucas sat up, grinning.

"My wife is so smart. Nothing gets past you!"

"I couldn't stand watching Ryan. What kind of grown man keeps pretending to faint? Isn't he embarrassed?"

I couldn't help but laugh. He was so cheeky.

But Lucas just smiled.

"I'm different! I've got my own wife to take care of me. Even if I pretend to faint, someone's got my back."

He nuzzled my neck like a puppy, and the evening ended with yet another passionate encounter.

A man who just discovered intimacy could be a force to be reckoned with.

By the time I remembered Ryan was still pretending to faint outside, he was gone.

My best friend sent me a voice message:

"Abigail, what did you do to make Mia Hawkins lose her mind? She's been dragging you through the mud online!"