Chapter 1

My best friend and my fiancé got together.

But I didn't make a scene.

Because my best friend had lost her memory in a car accident while trying to save me.

To help her recover, our group of five friends decided to play along with her delusion.

But she started taking more and more from me.

She took my place on my pre-wedding trip with my fiancé.

I watched them kiss under the fireworks while my arms ached from holding everyone's luggage.

When we got back to our new house, I wanted to talk to my fiancé, Justin.

But I walked in to find everyone celebrating my best friend getting a new house.

I rushed over, only to see the deed to my house.

My name had been scratched off. Hers was in its place.

Elisa pulled me aside.

"Stop making a scene, Chloe. This is just an act to keep her stable. It's still your house. Remember, Amber lost her memory saving you."

I believed her. I swallowed my bitterness and kept playing along.

Until my wedding day, when my wedding dress went missing.

I rushed to the venue, wanting everyone to help me find it, only to see Amber wearing my wedding dress, smiling brightly as she stood arm-in-arm with Justin, welcoming the guests.

In that single second, my heart went completely cold.

The ring on my finger felt just like that tight wedding dress---it didn't fit anymore.

I stormed forward, wanting to scream and ask how many more times I had to sacrifice my life for her.

Once again, Elisa blocked me.

"Amber is finally doing better. Don't trigger her. Just let her have this wedding."

Justin's best friend, Ethan, chimed in with a smirk.

"You've given up so much already, Chloe. What's one more wedding? Just consider it paying her back for saving your life."

I looked at my fiancé. He avoided my eyes, quietly adjusting the ring on Amber's finger.

That was when I realized the dress and the ring...

were never my size to begin with.

From start to finish, I was the only one who thought this was just an act.

I let out a bitter laugh, took off the tight ring, and threw it away.

Since they wanted this farce so badly, I would let them have it.

......

"Fine. She can have it all."

My voice was flat. I watched the ring land in the trash can with a dull thud.

Elisa froze, her expression darkening. Just as she was about to snap at me, Amber rushed over and grabbed my arm.

"Chloe! You're finally here! We've been waiting for you."

She spun around, holding up the hem of the gown, showing off the sparkling ring on her finger.

The diamond on her hand was noticeably larger than the one I had just thrown away.

If I looked closely, the details on her dress were also much more intricate than mine. It was obviously extremely expensive.

She kept talking, a sweet smile plastered on her face.

"Thanks for all your hard work lately. I heard you were the one who helped plan the whole wedding."

"I love this dress so much. I only mentioned it once, and I can't believe you guys made it happen."

"I wanted you to see it the second I put it on. After all, you're my best friend."

So, the wedding I had spent months planning...

was never meant for me in the first place.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Yeah, it's beautiful..."

Before I could finish my sentence, Elisa cut me off.

"It's absolutely stunning! Amber, you are the most beautiful bride ever."

"Oh, Chloe, you're great with cameras. Why don't you take some photos of them?"

Ethan immediately shoved the camera into my chest.

"Yes, exactly! Since everyone is here, let's get a group photo!"

They didn't even wait for my answer. They immediately posed next to Justin and Amber, leaving me standing alone with the camera, facing the crowd.

I was so angry I almost laughed. They stole my wedding, and now they wanted me to play photographer.

I couldn't believe how shameless they were.

Seeing me stand still, Justin spoke up impatiently, "What are you doing? Everyone is waiting for you."

"Justin, don't rush Chloe. She's probably just adjusting the settings," Amber said, playing the peacemaker.

"Chloe, I'm counting on you for the photos!" Amber smiled at me.

I looked up. Under the spotlights, she was wearing the wedding dress, resting her head on Justin's shoulder.

Justin looked down at her, his eyes filled with pure devotion.

Everyone crowded around them, cheering for the picture-perfect couple.

It was everything I had ever dreamed of for my own wedding.

Except this wedding had absolutely nothing to do with me anymore.

Someone in the crowd started chanting.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

Justin's ears turned red. He hesitated.

But Amber was already on her tiptoes, pressing her lips against his.

My brain went numb. Screams and cheers erupted around me.

Beside me, Ethan gave me a rough push.

"Hurry up and take the photo! Seriously, you're so slow. Can you do anything right?..."

Watching them kiss, my mind went completely blank.

I raised the camera on instinct. Amid the falling confetti, I pressed the shutter.

The camera captured a moment of happiness that did not belong to me.

As the cheering grew louder, Justin picked Amber up in his arms, deepening the kiss.

Everyone was laughing, celebrating their love.

Nobody noticed me. Nobody cared that my eyes were burning and red.

I don't know how long I stood there frozen before a polite voice spoke up next to me.

"The reception has started, ma'am. Aren't you going to sit down?"

I snapped out of it and wiped my tears. I looked up and realized the room was empty.

Everyone had already gone to the dining hall. The tables were perfectly full. There was no seat left for me.

Just like countless times before, nobody noticed I had been left behind.

The waiter looked a bit embarrassed. "Should I bring out an extra chair for you?"

I pulled my lips into a bitter smile.

"No, thank you."

If there was no room for me, I didn't want it anymore.

And this five-person friendship? I was done with it, too.