Chapter 1

Chapter 1

On the day we were supposed to get our marriage license, Caleb's little favorite, Nina, humiliated me.

She accused me of being a home-wrecker and tried to rip my clothes off right on the street.

Afterward, she just gave a playful giggle and said she was only trying to liven up the atmosphere.

Caleb stroked her hair with an affectionate smile.

"Stop it, or your sister-in-law will actually get mad," he said.

Nina leaned into his chest shyly and looked at me, whispering softly.

"It was just a little joke. I'm sure Lyra isn't that petty, right, Caleb?"

Caleb immediately backed her up.

"Nina was just afraid of things being awkward. Don't be so dramatic, Lyra."

The scene went dead silent as everyone waited to see me make a fool of myself.

To their surprise, I let out a cold laugh and threw my engagement ring at her.

"If you're so desperate for attention, you can take my place and sign the papers with him."

I guess I am dramatic.

So, I'm done with this marriage.

The ring flew through the air and hit Nina right in the face.

She let out a cry of pain and tumbled into Caleb's chest, sobbing quietly.

"Lyra, I've always been a bit of a tomboy. Caleb and the guys are used to it. I didn't know you'd take it so personally. I'm so sorry."

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come today."

She made a move to turn away, but her foot tripped, and her lips brushed against Caleb's jawline.

Both of their faces turned bright red instantly.

"Are you okay?" Caleb asked, pulling her into a protective embrace, his eyes full of concern.

The City Hall lobby fell into an eerie silence.

The bystanders who were just laughing at me now looked my way with pity.

Finally, Caleb seemed to remember something.

Today was the day he was supposed to get married.

The woman standing in front of him was his bride-to-be, not the girl in his arms.

He looked down, but he didn't let her go.

"This is a serious occasion, and Nina only cracked a harmless joke to ease the tension. You didn't lose a limb, so why did you hit her? Apologize."

His best friend stepped in and pulled Nina toward him as well.

"Come on, Lyra. She's basically one of the guys. Her jokes can be a bit much, but she didn't mean any harm. Don't get it twisted."

"She's just like one of the bros to us."

Bros? A joke?

I was called a slut and nearly stripped bare in front of a crowd.

My reputation and my sanity were under attack, and Caleb acted like he was blind to it.

But the moment Nina got tapped by a ring, he couldn't wait to demand justice.

What a group of bros. What a hilarious joke.

I saw Caleb shoot a sharp look at the guy holding Nina.

In that moment, everything became clear.

To this group, I was the only outsider.

As for the "bro" title, it was just a cover for their pathetic, messy dynamic.

I sneered at them.

"She already joked that I'm the third wheel in your relationship. What if she jokes that she should be the one signing the license? I'm just doing you both a favor by stepping out now."

Caleb's face turned pale with anger.

"Lyra Vance, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Nina is impulsive, but she's simple-minded. She doesn't have these twisted thoughts like you do."

"She only jokes with you because she considers you family. Do you really have to be this petty? Apologize now!"

The onlookers looked even more confused.

Would a simple-minded person attack a bride on her wedding day?

That isn't being impulsive. That's being pure evil.

Besides, I was the victim from start to finish.

Yet, I was the one being told to apologize.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault," Nina sobbed, her head down.

"Today was such a big day for you, and my joke was too much. Caleb, you shouldn't be so mean to her. She's going to be your wife forever."

"I'm sorry, Lyra. I'll apologize on behalf of all the guys. Please don't be mad."

She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with forced sobs.

Caleb glared at me with pure venom.

"Now everyone is miserable. Are you satisfied?"

The crowd split into two groups―those comforting her and those trying to play peacemaker.

But I could see a clear line drawn in the sand.

It stood right between me and Nina.

Caleb stood on the other side with his so-called bros, leaving me completely alone.

They all hated me for standing up for myself.

I was the one who was wronged, but in their eyes, I was the villain.

It was absolutely pathetic.