My Fiancé Ruined My Wedding Dress, But My Childhood Cowboy Best Friend Saved My Life
Previously: When Nicole's groom humiliated her minutes before the ceremony, she fled into the muddy woods. But when her childhood friend Wes showed up, the real drama began in the sanctuary.
A Bitter Reckoning
Wes stepped away from the marble pillar, his boots echoing with a steady, grounding rhythm on the polished floor. He walked directly toward Nicole, completely unfazed by the mud dripping from her gown. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a thick, official-looking manila folder, holding it out to her like a lifeline.
Before Nicole could speak, the sanctuary doors burst open again. Richard swaggered in, flanked by his groomsmen. His smirk quickly vanished when he saw Wes standing beside his bride. "What is this horse-stable trash doing at my wedding?" Richard sneered, his voice booming through the hall. "Get him out of here before I have him arrested for trespassing!"
Wes didn't blink. He turned to face the crowd, opening the folder for everyone to see. "You might want to hold your tongue, Richard," Wes said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority. "Because your guests are about to find out exactly why you were so eager to marry Nicole today."
Wes began to read from the legal documents. It wasn't just a marriage; it was a hostile takeover. Richard had secretly acquired the debt of Nicole's family ranch—the very land her father had worked on for forty years. The marriage contract contained a hidden clause that would automatically transfer all land rights to Richard's corporation the moment they signed the registry. The mud prank at the stables wasn't just a joke; it was Richard's way of breaking Nicole's spirit, ensuring she would be too overwhelmed to read the fine print before signing.
Nicole stared at the papers, her heart freezing in her chest. "You wanted to steal my family's legacy," she whispered, looking at Richard with absolute disgust. Richard's face turned pale, his confident facade crumbling as the guests began to murmur in outrage. Desperate to regain control, Richard lunged forward, grabbing Nicole's arm. "She's my wife-to-be! This cowboy is lying!" he yelled, tightening his grip on her wrist.
”he yelled, tightening his grip on her wrist.