Betrayed at the Altar：He Ruined My Name, So I Exposed His SecretChapter 1
My best friend has been the golden boy since kindergarten. Me? I've been "Scarface" for as long as I can remember.
Girls have handed me over three thousand love letters throughout my life. Every single one was meant for him.
On my wedding day, Cedric Simmons showed up looking like he'd stepped off a magazine cover.
"Brother, you're finally getting your happily ever after!" He clapped my shoulder, grinning. "I'm here to make sure this day is perfect for you!"
Then he saw my bride's face—the kind of beauty that belonged on movie posters.
His congratulations died in his throat.
He recovered with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Irvin Dickerson, did you ever pick up that syphilis test result?"
Kate Mason turned to stare at me.
I shot Cedric a desperate look, willing him to shut up.
"You must be thinking of someone else. When have I ever been tested for syphilis?"
But he was already reaching past me, snatching the folder from my jacket.
"Don't be modest, brother! Remember? We tested for syphilis and HIV together. I was right there with you!"
He held up the report. Positive results glared back at me in black and white.
Cold sweat prickled down my spine.
He didn't know. That report wasn't mine.
It was his.
——
I'd prepared a best man speech for Cedric Simmons.
Instead, his out-of-nowhere accusation made me the center of attention—and not in a good way.
I locked eyes with him, silently pleading.
"Cedric, you've got this wrong. I've never been tested for syphilis."
"How could I be wrong?" His voice carried across the room, loud enough for every guest to hear. "You told me yourself—syphilis and HIV. I went with you to the clinic! You think I'd forget something like that?"
"HIV too?!"
A guest shot to his feet, knocking over his wine glass. Red spread across the white tablecloth like a stain.
"How dare you invite us here! What if the groom touched the food? The drinks?"
"Exactly!" Another voice joined in. "You lured us here without telling us? What kind of people are you?"
Panic clawed at my chest. I turned to Kate, standing beside me in her white gown.
She was supposed to defend me. She was my wife.
But her gaze had drifted past me entirely—fixed on Cedric Simmons.
This was the first time she'd seen him in person. I'd mentioned my handsome best friend before. Back then, she'd laughed and thrown her arms around me.