The Bet Behind My Five-Year Love Story Chapter 04

The Bet Behind My Five-Year Love Story Chapter 04

One was the group chat screenshot—Locked it down in two days.

The other was Ethan tucking a blanket around her.

“My sister is so lucky—her love-brain landed her the best husband ever! Who’s jealous? Not naming names.”

“P.S. Girls, take care of yourselves. Don’t follow my sister’s example. She met Ethan. But what if she’d met some creep? The consequences would be unthinkable.”

Ethan was the first to like it.

I smiled wryly, turned off the screen, and slept till morning.

The next day, my boss called, confused. “You’re on wedding leave—why’d you submit an overseas application?”

“I’m not getting married.”

He paused. “Last time, you said your sister was too young and needed you.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “She’s grown up. She doesn’t need me anymore. I can go anytime.”

A few seconds of silence. “All right. Three days—can you leave in three days?”

I agreed.

The night before the wedding, Ethan—who’d been ignoring me for days—walked in.

“Let Chloe take your place at the procession tomorrow.”

I stared at him.

Chloe peeked out from behind him, stuck out her tongue, and said meekly, “My roommates saw my post and now they’re dying to see what a love-brain’s wedding looks like. I was gonna have you hold the phone and shoot it from your view, but Ethan said you’re no good with cameras, so he said I should do it instead.”

I said flatly, “Maybe you should take my place at the altar too.”

Chloe flinched, eyes going red. “No, no—I wouldn’t dare. Forget it, I’ll just do their laundry for a week.”

Ethan pulled her behind him, annoyed. “Don’t be petty. The bride isn’t going to be anyone but you. She’s your own sister—what’s the big deal? Aren’t you worried she’ll get laughed at?”

I gave a wry smile. “Fine. Let her take my place.”

I wasn’t even going to the wedding. The procession didn’t matter.

He didn’t expect me to agree so easily. He blinked, then softened. “After it’s over, I’ll take you to the Maldives.”

“Maybe,” I said.

Chloe cheered. “I love you!”

That morning, she casually called in a makeup artist for her bridal look. She said if she was going to play the part, she had to go all the way. She’d done the trial run anyway, so the makeup fit her like it was made for her. The new dress came in, and it was a perfect fit—like it had been tailored.

I’m two inches shorter, and my waist is smaller by half an inch.

I smiled—a real smile—packed my bags, and walked out.

Chloe was on a video call with Ethan. “You’re coming to pick me up—I’m gonna make you work for it!”

His voice was all doting. “What if you stop me and I can’t marry you?”

She burst out laughing. “Then I guess I’ll just have to let you.”

They both stopped when they saw me.

Chloe stared blankly. Ethan frowned. “Aria, where are you going with luggage? The wedding’s in a few hours.”

I glanced at them and explained: “Just taking stuff to the hotel to get ready.”

They both exhaled.

Chloe waved carelessly. “Go ahead. I’ve got the procession covered. I’ll get you a killer video.”

I said okay and dragged my suitcase out the door.

The second I walked into the airport, my phone exploded. Voice messages from Ethan—dozens of them.

I didn’t listen to a single one. I smiled and typed back:

[Liked the wedding gift?]