Just a fake wedding

"Violet! Did Knox come today? He has missed his assignment again. How long are you going to do the assignment alone?"

"Sorry, Professor! Knox broke his hand after playing soccer last night," I said awkwardly.

"That little brat! Okay. Tell him to come straight to me tomorrow. I will no longer accept this excuse again!"

I nodded. "Thank you, Prof."

As soon as he left, I rushed to my car, heading directly to the hospital. That jerk knew how to worry me.

After buying some medicines the doctor prescribed, I headed to the hospital. Before his parents found out, I was going to take him to our secret place—our cottage.

As I stood before the door and reached for the doorknob, my body froze at the sound of laughter behind me.

"You two should just get married. Everyone thinks you’re secretly dating!" one of our friends teased.

"That's true, Knox. I think you two would be perfect for each other!"

I felt my heart thumping loudly against my chest. My face burned as I stood there. Each time I decided to confess my love, I found myself dazed, overwhelmed by thousands of questions.

People always said I never hesitated to speak my mind. However, when it came to love and friendship, I knew I couldn’t cross the line.

No matter what, I couldn’t risk the friendship we had. Yet, hearing my friends talk about it, at least I could understand what he thought about me.

But my body soon turned cold. My fingers started shaking when his response came.

"Are you crazy?" Knox snorted. "She is my best buddy. Just imagine if I tried to kiss her... Gosh! It gives me goosebumps!"

I felt my knees shaking. My throat tightened as tears streamed down my face. Yeah, I knew this answer. It had been haunting me in the back of my mind. But—

"Miss Violet!" A voice called.

"Miss Violet? Do you have a fever? You're sweating!" Ms. Clara gently pressed a cold towel to my face.

I shot my eyes open, finding myself in my bed. Did I dream—

"Are you okay? I heard you got drunk yesterday. Master Knox is preparing breakfast for you!"

Ugh! My head! A sharp pain twisted my stomach, and I rushed to the bathroom.

"Miss Violet! You aren't supposed to drink. Didn't your doctor warn you?" Ms. Clara nagged, following me.

"What do you mean by that?" Knox appeared behind her, holding a tray with breakfast and coffee. "What did the doctor say?"

Oh! I forgot that he didn’t know about it.

"Miss Violet has been working overtime for the last few months and skipping meals. Because of that, she had to be admitted to the hospital. The doctor told her not to drink for the time being. Gosh. What should I do with you? My lady! If you want to be independent, you should behave like a capable lady!"

What a nag! Even my mother doesn’t have the audacity to nag like she does. She’s unstoppable.

However, Knox walked in, gently rubbing my back. "Since when did you become so careless? You should have told me about it!"

I rolled my eyes. As if he had been taking my calls or anything...

"Miss Violet called you multiple times," Ms. Clara said, holding a glass of water for me. "But you were with Ms. Sarah at La Flora Villa!"

I froze, and so did Knox’s hand on my back. I couldn't move or say anything. But Knox slowly withdrew his hand.

"I... I’ll be downstairs preparing some hangover soup." He walked out immediately, leaving me to dwell on this.

"La Flora Villa! Did they buy it?" I asked, slowly looking at Ms. Clara.

Ms. Clara, who wasn’t the most intelligent or bright person, nodded with a huge grin. "I heard them talking about setting up a nursery there. Master Knox said it was his dream to buy the villa one day!"

"Oh!" I chuckled bitterly. "It really was his dream."

Or I should say *our* dream.

After buying the cottage when we were seventeen, La Flora Villa had been one of our biggest targets to buy together. It had a beautiful view with lots of rooms. Sitting by the lake near the cottage, we used to plan which part of the villa would belong to whom.

Knox never said no to me whenever I demanded anything extra. But it seemed like he was planning to buy it all alone for *his* woman.

"Master Knox really loves her!" Ms. Clara added, unknowingly rubbing salt into my wounds. "I heard Ms. Sarah mention that she likes Japanese melons. Instead of getting them from local shops, he ordered them from the best Japanese farm. Can you believe that? She’s so lucky!"

Yeah… Indeed, she was lucky. While I had been raising my love for him for years, she had won him over in just one meeting.

After changing into something comfortable, I decided to go downstairs with the tray. He had made my favorite breakfast, as always. However, as soon as I walked into the kitchen, my hands almost slipped from the tray.

"You are such a loving person!" Sarah was hugging him from behind, resting her head on his broad back. A knot formed in my stomach, a despairing realization that I was losing the right to call him mine.

"Stop being clingy like a bat. I need to prepare the hangover soup for Violet."

"I’m jealous! I’ll get drunk so you can make me breakfast in bed and hangover soup!"

I wouldn’t say that I didn’t feel like crying. However, at that moment, I genuinely pitied myself. I felt like the pitiful high school girl again, unable to hold back tears while watching her beloved be happy with another woman.

But I was grown up now. I could handle this.

I turned on my heels and walked into the dining area instead. I was jealous, but I wouldn’t turn into a bitter woman and interrupt their personal life.

As I settled in my chair, I couldn’t bring myself to eat the food in front of me. I thought it wouldn’t hurt that much. I thought I wouldn’t shed tears. But here I was, feeling absolutely horrible and exhausted.

"Miss Violet?" Ms. Clara once again announced her presence like a drumbeat. "Are you crying? Are you hurt? Is your stomach hurting again? Gosh! I told you to stop overworking and skipping meals!"

I was too stunned to say anything. Knox and Sarah ran out, concern etched on their faces. It was humiliating. Honestly!

"Are you okay? Miss Violet! You look pale!" Sarah got closer, observing my face, then glared at Knox.

"Can’t you take care of Miss Violet properly? She’s hurt!"

"I..." Knox opened his mouth.

"Enough of that!" I snapped, irritation lacing my voice. "It’s my choice. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Also, why are you two in my house!? I didn’t permit you to come in!"

Sarah’s expression shifted to surprise while Knox rubbed the back of his neck, as usual.

"I decided to come cook something nice for you. Sarah tagged along with me."

"Sounds like you’re trying to be extra friendly because you want me to carry your child."

Both of them froze, as expected.

"Whatever. When are we getting the marriage certificate and the artificial insemination done?"

Knox’s eyes widened. "Are you ready for that?" he asked, his voice surprisingly cheerful.

"What I said last night… it’s my true feeling, Knox."

This would be my last favor as his best friend.

"Violet—!"

"Well, then, can I come with you two?" Sarah jumped like an excited child.

"To where!?" Knox frowned.

"Of course, to see you two getting married. I know it’s just a piece of paper. Yet…" She hugged Knox. "It’s a marriage certificate." Her voice cracked, tears streaming like she was using fake tears.

"Don’t worry about it!" Knox said gently, his eyes moistening with.... Love?. "It’s just a fake wedding."

*Just* a fake wedding. Hah! I smiled at them, broken and bitter. Yet, I composed myself as always.

"But it comes with conditions!" I announced.