On my wedding day, my childhood sweetheart—a chaotic heir from a military dynasty—kicked open the chapel doors with his posse of rich frat boys. He declared he was going to marry me and take me away. But not five minutes after dragging me out of the venue, he dropped my hand and smirked lazily at his friends. "Alright, boys, I win again. That’s the hundredth bet. Pay up." He turned back to look at me, eyes full of mockery. "I was just joking. You didn't actually think I was serious, did you? Go on back inside and get married." They all laughed, mocking how I had chased him for ten years, how I would do anything for him. But what neither they—nor Chase—knew, was that this "kidnapping" was just a scheduled part of my wedding itinerary. 1 As I stood outside the hotel, shivering in the wind, I looked at the group of men in tactical gear and buzz cuts leaning against a vintage Ford Mustang. They were sparing no effort in roasting me. "Man, Hailey, do you ever use that brain of yours?" "It’s actually hilarious. Did you really hallucinate that Chase would marry you? That you’d be the General's daughter-in-law?" Chase, the man who had just dragged me out of my wedding, looked at me with pure disdain. "It was just a bet, Hailey. Get a clue." Hearing their relentless ridicule, I instinctively clenched my dress, my nails digging into my palms. Chase’s eyes were cold. "Hailey, if you're thinking about how to cling to me right now, I suggest you give up. My wife could never be a stupid woman like you." The laughter grew louder. I turned around sharply. A strong hand clamped down on my arm. Years of military training made his grip like iron; I winced. "Where are you going?" "Back to get married." Chase froze for a second, then let out a scoff. "Hailey, when it comes to being pathetic, no one beats you." I closed my eyes. Even now, that sentence made my heart skip a beat in pain. Did he think I was blind? When I went to drop off the invitation, I heard the bet myself. "Interesting. She's actually getting married this time," someone had said. "Is it real?" "No way," a friend chimed in. "Everyone knows she’s obsessed with Chase. She’s probably just jealous of his new girl and wants attention." Chase’s new girl was Sasha. A rising Hollywood starlet. She had performed at a charity gala on the base, and Chase fell for her instantly. Sasha had picked up my invitation, glanced at it, and tossed it on the floor, giggling. "She looks cheap. If I were a man, I wouldn't look twice." Amidst the laughter, Chase toyed with a lock of Sasha's hair. "Wanna bet?" "Let's see if she'll run away from the altar for me." Everyone bought in. "That's a huge bet. No way she'd bail on her own wedding. Count me in." "Yeah, Hailey might be obsessed, but she’s from the Enclave too. She has dignity... right?" My hands had trembled then. A tear had fallen before I could stop it. I left. Staring blankly ahead now, I let out a short, dry laugh. Absurd. Pathetic. 2 Chase and I grew up together in the Enclave—an exclusive community for military families in D.C. We were inseparable. After high school, he got into West Point. It meant strict discipline and limited contact. Back then, Chase held my hand and told me to wait for him. To wait until he graduated, climbed the ranks, and became a commander. He promised he’d come back to marry me. But somewhere along the way, he forgot. He forgot the boy he used to be. The first time I felt it was when he looked at me like a stranger and said: "With my status, I can't marry some desperate girl. Are you trying to blackmail me with our past?" No matter how hard I tried, the distance between us only grew. So, I gave up. But why? I was already getting married. I had already admitted defeat. Why couldn't he just let me go? "Hailey, you're actually an idiot." "Are you done acting?" "We grew up in the same circle. If I were the groom, I’d slap you the second you walked back in. Do you know how cheap you look right now?" Chase was yelling at me, spitting insults. I just felt exhausted. I shook off his hand. "Is that so? Watch me." I walked away. Chase’s voice trailed behind me, impatient and cruel. "Fine. Don't come crying to me when you get humiliated. I don't have the time to babysit you." I didn't look back. When I re-entered the chapel, the confetti cannons popped on cue. Pop! Gold streamers rained down on my head. The guests applauded. "I didn't believe the program when it said there was a 'Runaway Bride' skit, but that was intense!" "Adds a little spice, doesn't it?" "What was the meaning again? 'True love survives all obstacles'?" I kept a straight face and walked back up the aisle. The heavy oak doors closed, leaving Chase standing outside, frozen in shock. We exchanged rings. We said our vows. During the reception, I checked my phone. Chase had sent a barrage of texts. What was that? Hailey, did you just play me?! 3 Yes. I played him. I was tired of being the puppy he summoned and dismissed at will. I hoped he learned some boundaries. I didn't reply. Just as I was about to block him, he called. I declined. He called again. I finally picked up. Chase’s voice was dripping with rage. "Hailey. You have three minutes. Come out here and explain yourself." I answered casually. "Chase, the bet is over, right? You got the outcome you wanted. You won the money." He took a deep breath, suppressing a scream. I was about to hang up when his tone shifted. "You really went all out just to make me jealous. A fake wedding? Was it fun?" "Fake wedding?" "Hailey, I'm putting it out there. After today, don't expect to ever see me again." It wasn't like I could see him before. Every time I brought homemade food to the base, the MPs turned me away. "Captain Chase said no entry for Hailey." Chase was always arrogant. Whether he believed me or not, I didn't care. I rubbed my temples. "That would be best." I hung up. Suddenly, a shadow fell over me. I turned and bumped into Quinn. He was leaning against the wall, taller than Chase, his dress blues immaculate. The silver oak leaves on his shoulders—Lieutenant Colonel—radiated a silent pressure. "Who was on the phone?" I paused. There was a hint of jealousy in his voice. We hadn't known each other long. The marriage was... sudden. Before I could speak, he leaned in. His breath was close. I held mine. Before I could ask if this was too fast, he grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing tray and smiled at my reddening ears. "To celebrate? Cheers?" 4 Quinn swapped my champagne for juice. We leaned against the balcony railing. He suddenly asked, "You never told me why you were at the City Clerk's office that day." I’m a lightweight. The alcohol from the toast was already hitting me. I squinted. "Just a coincidence." But that day was actually my birthday. I hadn't heard from Chase in months. He suddenly contacted me, saying he had a birthday surprise. Even though I knew better, I went. Near the City Hall, I heard the familiar roar of a jeep. I looked back. A military jeep decked out in flowers, with a trail of petals behind it. Chase was in the driver's seat, smiling at me. My heart hammered against my ribs. The petals were custom-made. I picked one up. Be mine— My phone rang. It was Chase. "Told you it was a surprise." I froze. Because I unfolded the petal and saw the name on the back: Sasha. Chase laughed over the roar of the engine. "Hailey! She said yes! Wish me a happy relationship!" I went cold. I couldn't hear what he said after that. I thought about the time in the Enclave when Chase first "confessed" to me. He lost a game of Truth or Dare. I was the only girl around. It was a joke. I should have laughed. But I thought he just needed courage. So I said yes. We were "together" for four years. I looked at the petals on the ground. I realized Chase and I had never even had a sincere "I like you." I was so tired. No matter how hard I tried, Chase and I were a dead end. That’s when Quinn walked out of the marriage license bureau toward me. He was breathtakingly handsome, ignoring the group of women ogling his uniform. He grabbed my arm. "Help me out. Pretend to be my girlfriend for five minutes." One afternoon later, we had a marriage certificate. It felt unreal. He said his family was pressuring him. I was 28, exhausted from chasing a ghost. It clicked. Why not?
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "389869", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel