Ethan goes ghost–white. He shoves Dn hard, eyes wild:[]


    “Sloane, what the fuck are you doing? This is.OUR wedding! We’re literally about to walk down the aisle and you’re out here with some random dude<b>?</b><b>“</b>[]


    Aria clicks over in her heels, looking me up and down:]]


    “Sloane babe, if you’re gonna hire actors, at least get decent ones? This loser pretending to be Dn Montgomery? I’m literally dead. You really think people will buy that THE Montgomery heir biked here?”


    “What’d you pay these wannabes? I’ll Venmo them double to get lost and stop this cringey ass performance.“[]


    I’m staring at her like she’spletely unhinged, but she’s acting all superior:[]


    “Nice try with the drama, but Ethan’s not falling for it. Girl, when will you learn? Trash like you doesn’t marry into the Old money. Stay in yourne, girl!“]


    Dn wraps his arm around me, eyeing Aria like she’s a bug:


    “The Matthews family? Old money?”


    He looks at my crew and everyone loses their shitughing. “Bro<b>, </b>since when are the Matthews elite?”


    “Don’t disrespect actual wealth like that. Y’all are straight up nouveau riche who got lucky flipping some properties. That’s not generational wealth<b>, </b>sweetheart!“]]


    Aria’s face is fire engine red. She’s about to go off when her friend yanks her back:


    “Aria, stop! That’s literally Dn Montgomery. The actual CEO!“]]


    Someone holds up their phone showing a trending topic:]


    “#TrustFundBikeRide.<i>” </i>It’s candid shots of my crew pedaling over that someone caught and posted.]]


    Dn’s front and center with the caption: “Montgomery Industries CEO Dn Montgomery spotted on Citi Bike.“]


    Ethan goes ghost–white, stammering: “No fucking way! Sloane, how do you even know Dn Montgomery? Why would he propose to you?“[]


    I sh the ring on my finger: “Sorry, I’m Mrs. Montgomery now. Mr. Matthews, your wedding’s about to start–and you’ve got the perfect backup bride right here.“]]


    “Aria’s been scheming for this moment forever, right? Even her little dress screams ‘wedding guest who wishes she was the bride.


    You two are childhood sweethearts, she’s daddy’s perfect princess–I was just the side piece anyway. Now you can have your happily ever after!“}]


    Ethan grabs my arm desperately: “Stop talking crazy! Aria and I aren’t like that—we’re just friends.“{}


    I burst outughing: “Just friends? Bro, you make out with all your friends?||]


    Like, tongue–down–throat, bruised–lips kind of friends? Damn, your friend group’s wilder than I thought.“]]


    Ethan’s panicking: “Aria was just messing around! You know I love YOU. You’re the one I want to marry!“[]


    I gesture to my trashed dress<b>, </b>then at Aria’s perfect outfit:[]


    “MY wedding dress? She picked it.[]


    MY wedding? nned to her taste.]


    OUR dates? She was always the third wheel.]


    You dropping everything whenever she calls? All for her. Ethan, if this is how you show love, your game is weak as hell.“[]


    At least if you admitted you’re obsessed with Aria, I’d respect the honesty. But you won’t even own it.“[]


    Ethan loses it: “What more do you want from me?! My family’s been against this from day one because you’re not our ss! I fought them tooth and nail to ept you!]


    How else can I prove I love you?!”


    I’m actually crying fromughing so hard: “Ethan<b>, </b>real talk–your family was right. We really AREN’T in the same ss.“]


    Ethan looks at me all wounded: “But I don’t mind that! I only want to marry you, Sloane!”