The Bet Behind My Five-Year Love Story Chapter 01

The Bet Behind My Five-Year Love Story Chapter 01

The wedding was around the corner, and my fiancé had finally agreed to take me to meet his childhood friends—to officially bring me into his world.

I showed up excited, only to find my sister leaning against Ethan Cole’s shoulder, laughing like she didn’t have a care in the world.

“Aria, you’ve been upset that Ethan never went public with you two. But he already did—ages ago.”

Everyone burst out laughing.

Then Ethan handed me his phone.

It was his group chat with the guys. On the day we got together, he’d posted a photo of us—me leaning on his shoulder, grinning happily.

And the caption read: [Got her in two days.]

I froze. I looked at him, stunned.

He just smirked, looking smug. “Took me two days to win you over, but you’ve had me wrapped around your finger for five years. Guess you win.”

The guys piled on. “Ethan, you used to say we couldn’t let her find out!” “Look at you now, getting bold right before the wedding. Hahaha.”

I stood there, drowning in their teasing, not knowing where to look.

And he just reached down and dropped a piece of barbecue ribs into my sister’s bowl—her favorite—without so much as a glance my way.

Right then, something in me snapped.

I didn’t want this wedding anymore.

…

Seeing my face, one of his friends—the one with glasses—smiled and waved me over. “Come on, have a seat. We’re a rowdy bunch, but no one means any harm. Don’t take it to heart.”

Then he shot a look at Chloe Hayes, who was sitting on Ethan’s left, and teased her. “Chloe, you had us all fooled pretending to be Ethan’s girlfriend back then. Now that your sister’s here, you gonna give up the seat or what?”

Chloe looked at me with wide, innocent eyes. “I didn’t do anything! I was just messing with them in the group chat. They’re the ones who ran with it.”

The others weren’t having it. “Not our fault. Everyone we put in that chat was a girlfriend. Who knew Ethan would drop his future sister-in-law in there?”

Chloe’s eyes sparkled. “Aria, if you’re mad at anyone, be mad at Ethan. He never bothered to clear it up.”

“Yeah, my fault.” Ethan slid a piece of fish—deboned, perfectly—into Chloe’s bowl, and I saw a softness in his eyes I’d never once gotten from him. “Your sister spoils you. She won’t stay mad.”

I clenched my fists, my chest aching.

In our second year together, I’d asked to meet his friends, to be part of his life. He said no. Said even couples needed their own space and privacy.

But Chloe had already walked right into that world—the one I couldn’t even knock on.

And the public validation I’d been craving? It was a joke.

“Aria, come sit here.” Chloe started to get up, but Ethan caught her wrist.

“Stay. You haven’t finished your meat.” He waved toward the empty seat on his right, his tone dismissive. “That spot’s free.”

The friend next to him blinked, let out an awkward laugh, and jumped up. “Sit here—my bad. I shouldn’t have taken this seat.”

Chloe settled back down and stuffed the fish in her mouth. “Perfect—easier for you to debone it for me. You’ve got it made. Ethan’s way too good to you.”

My fingers dug into my purse, leaving deep marks in my palm.

I’d never once had that kind of care.

I love shrimp. One time, I cut my hand cooking and was dying for some. I asked Ethan to peel just one for me.

He frowned and said he had no patience for that—told me to eat them shell and all. Good for calcium.

Apparently, peeling shrimp shells took more patience than picking out fish bones.

I swallowed the urge to walk out and sat down silently to his right.

The table was covered in barbecue ribs, braised meatballs—every single dish Chloe loved.

I poked at my rice with my fork and didn’t take a single bite.

Ethan dropped some pot roast into my bowl and lowered his voice. “Chloe’s been in that chat for two or three years and never had a problem. You’ve been here five minutes and already gone cold.”

“This is exactly why I didn’t add you sooner. You’re too sensitive.”

“Cheer up. I’ve got a surprise for you—I’ll show you when we get home.”

I stared at the pot roast—my least favorite food—and felt sick.

Then Chloe’s voice cut through. “Aria, since the wedding’s pushed back three days anyway, why not add that two days screenshot to your love story video?”

I looked up, confused. “The wedding’s delayed?”

“Yeah. The dress you picked was so tacky. I found one that suits you way better—it just won’t get here in time.”

She explained it all so patiently, then turned to Ethan with a pout. “You did tell the guests, right?”

He laughed. “Of course. Just forgot to tell your sister.”

Chloe cracked up. “Aria, you’re so out of the loop. Good thing I’m here—otherwise, you’d be the only one at your own wedding. How humiliating.”

I gripped my fork tight. I didn’t respond to her. I just looked straight at Ethan. “You actually think we should put that screenshot in our wedding video? For everyone to see?”

He frowned. “I think it’s a good idea. She’s right—it’s proof you love me.”

I pressed my lips together. “What about you?”

He stared at me. “What?”

“What’s your proof?”

I searched his eyes, my heart suspended in midair.

He had no idea. Those two days he bragged about? That was three years of me loving him in secret.

Eight years total. If he could give me even one thing—one sign—I’d have the strength to keep going.

But he just stood there, frozen. He opened his mouth, and nothing came out.

My heart dropped like a stone. And every last bit of hope I had for him crumbled to dust.