My best friend is marrying my husband novel Chapter 4

Maria had imagined countless versions of the moment she and Stephen would finally face the truth, but she never

expected it to happen so soon, so abruptly.

As he walked toward her step by step, Maria tightened her palms. She searched his expression instinctively, looking for

shock, regret, guilt… anything.

There was nothing. Stephen’s gaze paused on her for a brief second before he spoke with effortless composure.

“Hello. You must be Maria Johnson. Julia talks about you all the time. I’m her fiancé, Stephen Greyson.”

His eyes were calm, as if the two of them really were strangers meeting for the first time in their lives.

Maria slowly extended her hand. In her mind flashed a memory from six years ago, when Stephen proposed to her. He

had smiled so sincerely then, his eyes warm and full of joy.

He had slipped the ring onto her finger with trembling care and whispered, “Maria, from now on, I’ll be your husband.

We’ll stay together until the end of time.”

Maria’s nose stung. Julia glanced between them, puzzled. “Wait, the way you’re looking at each other… did you two meet

before?”

The air froze for a moment. Before Stephen could speak, Maria lifted her eyes, curved her lips faintly, and said in an

even, steady voice, “No.”

She met Stephen’s gaze and repeated word by word, “Mr. Greyson, nice to meet you. I’m Maria Johnson, Julia’s friend.”

Stephen swallowed. His hesitation lasted only a heartbeat, but she caught it.

The eyes that once held nothing but tenderness for her were now deep and cold, a bottomless pit showing only polite

distance.

He extended his hand and replied with his usual practiced calm, “Yes. This is… our first time meeting.”

“First time meeting and you’re already being rude?” Julia teased, tapping Stephen lightly. “Maria is my best friend. If

you’re rude to her, you’re rude to me.”

“And if you dare treat me poorly, she’ll be the first to deal with you. Understand?”

Stephen chuckled, though the smile never reached his eyes. He instinctively moved to ruffle Julia’s hair, but the motion.

stalled almost imperceptibly midair.

Instead, he settled for placing an arm around her shoulder.

“Relax,” he said softly, his tone gentle as his gaze brushed past Maria. “With your friend watching, how would I dare?”

Chapter 4

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The air in the room suddenly felt heavy, saturated with the scent of his cologne and the stench of his lies. She needed to

leave. Now.

*All right, I’ll let you two enjoy your moment. I shouldn’t intrude.” She grabbed her bag and forced a light tone that

sounded hollow even to herself.

“Julia, seeing you happy makes me happy. I have something to take care of. I’ll get going.”

“Maria… Julia reached out, wanting to stop her. “Remember, keep it a secret, okay?”

Maria cut her off with a small nod and a pointed glance at Stephen. Then she turned and walked toward the exit with

steady steps. She did not look back.

Only after she stepped out of their sight and into an empty hallway did her strength drain away.

She leaned against the cold wall, covering her mouth as she fought to hold back the tremor rising in her throat.

Her phone buzzed sharply in her hand. Stephen’s custom ringtone pierced the silence. She inhaled a few unsteady

breaths before unlocking to check.

Only one short message appeared on the screen.

[Home. Ten minutes. We need to talk]

When Maria arrived, she was met with only two plane tickets laid neatly on the table.

Stephen looked at her with detached practicality. “I booked the earliest flights. Take our daughter and go on a trip. Come

back after Julia and I finish the wedding.”

Chapter 4