Chapter 1

On my wedding night, my husband's female bestie barged in for the third time, claiming it was just a "wedding prank."

I warned him right then and there. If he didn't kick her out and finish our wedding night, I'd consider this marriage null and void.

He looked at my half-undone dress and smirked. He was convinced I was just being a brat because I was needy. He didn't take a single word I said to heart.

So, when his female bestie used her spare key to unlock the door for the ninth time, she didn't just walk in.

She waited until things were getting heated, ripped the duvet off us, and held her phone high to livestream my humiliation to thousands of people.

Caleb didn't get angry. He just pushed me away again and told me to be more "understanding."

I watched as his best friend familiarly climbed onto our wedding bed. She crawled right into the middle, claiming her spot. I felt a cold smile spread across my face.

"It's the wedding night, and the bestie wants to join the party. I get it," I said calmly.

Then, I leaned directly into the camera lens of the viral livestream.

"Alright, everyone, send those gifts! Let's get some rockets flying, because I'm about to help my husband welcome his new mistress on live TV."

1

Macy White held her phone high, the camera aimed directly at my nearly bare body. She let out a high-pitched, melodic laugh.

"Oh, Clara, you're so impatient! The party isn't even over yet, and you're already stripping?"

My face burned with shame. I scrambled to grab the duvet to cover myself, looking at Caleb Sanders, who was standing by the bed.

He merely frowned. He didn't try to grab Macy's phone. Instead, he reached out and shoved me further back into the pillows.

"Clara, don't be dramatic. Macy is just playing. It's a wedding tradition, there's no malice behind it."

He turned to Macy with a half-hearted sigh.

"Alright, Macy, that's enough. Don't go too far."

Macy giggled and sat right in the center of the mattress, physically wedging herself between Caleb and me.

"Caleb, today is your big day! I'm just trying to liven things up for you."

"Look at the chat, it's going wild! Everyone wants to see something even more scandalous!"

I looked at the screen. Filthy comments and insults were scrolling by at lightning speed. My hands began to shake with pure rage.

This was the ninth time.

Ever since we entered the suite, she had been using a spare key to barge in over and over again.

I reached my breaking point. I lunged forward, snatched the phone from her hand, and glared into the lens.

"You want scandalous? Fine. Send those gifts, guys. I'm giving you a front-row seat as I help my husband officially take this bestie as his side-chick."

The room went dead silent. Caleb and Macy both turned pale.

Caleb lunged forward, snatched the phone back, and killed the livestream. He turned on me, his voice a low, dangerous growl.

"Clara Vance, have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea what kind of nonsense you're spewing?"

I wrapped the blanket tighter around me, feeling my heart turn to ice.

"I'm the one who's crazy? Caleb, look at what she's doing! Do you even want this marriage to work?"

Before he could answer, his mother's caller ID flashed on his phone. He picked up, and I could hear her screaming from three feet away.

"Clara Vance, are you insane? Do you not know the relationship between our family and the Whites?"

"Macy and Caleb grew up together! They are closer than siblings! You just humiliated her in front of thousands. What is wrong with you? You've shamed the entire Sanders name!"

I reached over and hung up the call for him. Caleb's expression darkened even further.

He ran a hand through his hair, looking at me with pure annoyance.

"My mom is right. You're overreacting. Macy is just a free spirit. Why do you have to be so petty?"

"She's a young woman. Her reputation is everything. How is she supposed to show her face after what you said?"

"Just listen to me. Apologize to Macy, and we can forget this ever happened."

I actually laughed. It was a dry, hollow sound.

"You want me to apologize to her? Caleb, is there something wrong with your brain? I'm the one who was livestreamed. I'm the one who was humiliated. And you want me to apologize?"

Macy shrunk back behind Caleb. Her eyes turned red, and tears began to flow on command.

"Caleb, it's my fault. I shouldn't have pushed it. Clara, I'm so sorry. I was just scared that once you married him, he wouldn't want to hang out with me anymore. I didn't mean it."

Caleb immediately pulled her into a protective embrace.

"See? She said she didn't mean it. Clara, don't be a bully."

When I didn't move, he leaned in and whispered a threat into my ear.

"Don't forget, the merger between our families only starts after the wedding is finalized. If you blow this now, everyone loses."

"Your grandfather is watching from heaven. You wouldn't want to let him down, would you?"

He knew that my grandfather's dying wish was for this merger to happen to save the Vance family business.

That was why he was so arrogant. He was certain that no matter what Macy did, I would just shut up and take it.

I clenched my fists and looked him dead in the eye.

"The merger was my grandfather's wish. But my dignity is not something for you to trample on."