Chapter 3

3: 3

3.

The smile spread across Eleanor's face in an instant. "I knew my girl was the best. Don't worry, I'll keep a good eye on him for you."

Luke scowled through the entire meal.

I didn't understand what had gotten into him.

It wasn't until the server brought the bill that he finally looked up and paid.

"Sir, we've got a promotion today. Scan the code and leave a review, and there's a gift for you. Your wife will love it."

With perfect tact, he handed the gift slip to Eleanor.

Eleanor took it without missing a beat. "I'll take this one, then!"

Luke bent his head and scanned the code without a word.

The whole time, no one denied anything. No one explained anything.

The moment we got home, Luke pinned me against the door with one hand, everything about him aggressive.

"When did my wife get so generous, handing me off like that?"

I had no idea what had lit this fire in him, and I shoved him off.

"You agreed too."

He stood in the entryway, silent for a few seconds.

"I told her I'd go because you said yes. I thought you'd refuse."

Luke pressed his lips together and looked at me. After a long moment, he let out a soft laugh.

"It doesn't matter. I'm only playing her boyfriend for one day, and we're getting married soon. I have all the time in the world to make sure you only care about me."

I listened to the sweet words come out of him so easily, and felt nothing.

This man had been putting on an act for more than a day or two, after all.

Otherwise he'd never have kept me so completely in the dark.

I curved my lips, slipped the ring off my hand, and set it on the table.

"Whether you want to say yes is something you already know. Don't push it off on me."

"Here. I'm giving this back."

Luke's face went dark at once. "What's that supposed to mean? She's your best friend. Can you stop making a scene?"

His eyes fell on the ring, and just as he was about to ask something, his phone rang.

It was Eleanor's dedicated ringtone. I had it set on my phone too.

He glanced at the screen and didn't press any further.

"Margot, something's come up. I have to go out. I probably won't be back tonight."

"Oh, and Ellie's hometown is pretty far. This might take a while, but I'll be back before the wedding."

I nodded and watched him leave.

A flood of comments went streaming past.

【Don't tell me the second lead is still dreaming about marrying the male lead.】

【If she knew the female lead was going to crash the wedding, she'd probably hide away and cry for days.】

【Serves her right. Who told her to be so clueless and shove her way in between them.】

The next second, Eleanor's call came through.

"Margot, you knew all along that Luke was my ex, didn't you?"

"I know the two of you are getting married. I shouldn't have said anything."

"But I regret what happened back then. I can't forget him, and he still has me in his heart."

She paused, her voice thick with tears.

"You'll never be happy with a man who doesn't love you. Can't you let us be together?"

After a brief silence, I said flatly,

"Sure. I'll let you have him."

On the other end, Eleanor was startled for a moment. "You... you mean it?"

"I mean it."

Only we aren't friends anymore either.