A Lie That Cost Our Future

My boyfriend's mother had Alzheimer’s. She constantly mistook my best friend for her son's girlfriend. I lost count of how many times I tried to explain that I was his actual girlfriend, but within minutes, she would forget everything, grab my best friend’s hand, and call her a family. Out of sheer helplessness, my boyfriend had no choice but to tell my best friend to pretend to be his girlfriend. She comforted me at the time, saying, “Don’t worry, it’s all just an act.” My boyfriend promised me as well, saying, “As soon as my mother’s condition stabilizes, we’ll get engaged.” I ended up waiting three long years. During the first Christmas, my best friend stood in my spot for the family portrait, smiling with her arm wrapped around my boyfriend's. During Thanksgiving the following year, my boyfriend's family went for a holiday overseas, and my best friend went along as his fiancée. I could only watch through a screen as they showed off their picture-perfect romance to the world. It wasn’t until this year’s New Year’s Eve family gathering that my boyfriend claimed his mother’s condition was finally improving. He told me he was taking me home so we could finally announce our engagement. Sitting at the dinner table, I was hopeful; I prayed that his mother would remember who I was. Instead, she took my best friend’s hand, smiled, and pressed, “When are you two getting married? I’ve been waiting for this day forever.” My best friend flushed, playing timid and not daring to answer. My boyfriend hesitated for only a single second before announcing in front of everyone, “We’ve booked the venue. We’ll have the wedding right after this trip.” A chill ran down my spine. Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a text from him. [Just play along with us one last time. Once this is over, I swear I’ll marry you.] I stared at the message for a long moment, then typed back. [Okay.] Then, I canceled the order for my custom wedding ring and forwarded my resignation letter to HR. Today was the last chance I was ever going to give him. Since he chose to play his part and marry someone else, it was time for me to exit this play as well. Chapter 1 Lily's POV After sending the resignation letter, I looked up. Lucas Karev was serving soup to his ‘fiancée’, Tate Hale. The happiest person at the table right now was Lucas' mother, Alison Karev. She pulled a family heirloom bracelet from a jewelry box and slipped it directly onto Tate’s wrist. Tate frantically tried to decline, saying, “Alison, this bracelet means so much to you. I can’t accept it.” “You're about to marry Lucas, so why can’t you accept it?” “But…” Tate’s face flushed even more. Lucas backed Alison up, settling the matter. “Just keep it.” Tate looked toward me sitting in the corner and silently mouthed, “I’m sorry.” For three whole years, all she had done was apologize to me. She would apologize for taking my place, for having to share a bed with my boyfriend, and for taking the engagement gifts that should have belonged to me. I picked up my glass of wine and downed it in one gulp. I choked so hard that tears nearly fell from my eyes. One after another, the family took turns congratulating them on their upcoming marriage, while I sat there like a complete outsider. Just this morning, Lucas had held me in his arms and said, “Lily, you’ve suffered so much over the last few years. Tonight, I will make everything clear to my mom. I want to marry you.” Full of hope, I had spent two hours putting on my makeup and wore my most expensive dress—all to leave a good impression on his family. Yet, when he announced his wedding, I wasn’t the bride. “Hey.” Someone called out to me, “Your best friend is getting married. Why haven’t you congratulated them?” Every single pair of eyes instantly turned toward me. I held my glass tightly and raised a toast to Lucas. “I wish the both of you… a long and happy marriage.” Lucas’s tone was a lot colder than anyone else’s. “Thank you.” He had always been like this. The moment we stepped into his family home, he would treat me like a stranger. He claimed he didn’t want Alison to overthink things. He said that since I was Tate’s best friend, we had to keep our distance. We couldn’t even talk to each other in person—only through text messages. When the banquet ended, I hid out alone on the balcony. Uncharacteristically, Lucas came over and wrapped his arms around me from behind. “Lily, I’m sorry. I was originally going to come clean. But my mother’s health started declining again… If she found out I’ve been lying to her all this time, she wouldn’t be able to handle it…” Swallowing down the bitterness, I feigned composure. “Are you really going to marry Tate?” Lucas’s body went stiff, and he held me even tighter. “This is the absolute last time. Once she and I finish this act, we’ll get married.” “Lucas, I–” Before I could finish, Tate called out to him from inside. Lucas didn’t even bother asking what I wanted to say. He merely told me we’d talk later before hurrying away, as if nothing ever happened. Just as I reached for the doorknob, Alison’s voice came from the door. “Lucas, how many times have I told you not to bring strangers into our house?” A family member chimed in from the side. “Lucas, this is a family-only event. How dare she crash our dinner? That girl looks like trouble. During dinner, she couldn’t take her eyes off you…” Tate tried to help explain, “Alison, Lily isn’t that kind of person.” However, Alison frowned and replied, “Do you think I can’t see what’s on her mind? Lucas, don’t you dare walk the same path your father did.” Lucas had told me before that when his father had an affair years ago, he sued Alison in court just to protect his mistress. Now, I had become the homewrecker she despised most. Chapter 2 I clenched my fists, pushed the door open, and walked in. The room instantly went quiet. Everyone turned to look at me, their eyes filled with contempt. I took a deep breath and said to Alison, “Thank you for the wonderful meal. I should get going.” Tate was the first to step forward and grab my hand. “Lily…” Lucas took two steps toward me but stopped dead in his tracks the next second. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he said nothing in the end. After all, to him, family always came first. I pulled my hand out of Tate’s grip and walked out the front door without looking back. Just then, my phone screen lit up. It was a friend of mine from a multinational corporation. “Lily, my boss is very happy with your resume. When can you start?” “Three days from now.” Right after that, Lucas sent me the location pin of a hotel. [Lily, check into a hotel for the night. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow.] Then, Tate sent a voice message. “Lily, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think things would turn out like this. Let me talk to Alison and smooth things over for you.” I ignored both messages and booked a different hotel for myself. Once I got into the car, the tears I had held back all evening finally fell. When Lucas and I first started dating, Alison had been so good to me. On every video call, she would invite me over for dinner. She also remembered my preferences and my allergies. Whenever Lucas and I fought, she would always take my side. For someone like me, who had never experienced my parents’ love growing up, this felt extremely heartwarming. Later on, Lucas brought me home to meet his mother, and I brought Tate along. We had grown up together in the orphanage, and she was my best friend. On such an important day, I wanted her there with me. Right before we walked through the door, Tate had even comforted me, saying, “Lily, don’t be nervous. I'm your family.” Never in my wildest dreams did I expect that the moment we stepped inside, Alison would walk past me, grab Tate’s hand, and call her a family. No matter how many times I tried to explain that I was his actual girlfriend, as soon as her perception was challenged, she had an emotional breakdown. Remembering how kind Alison used to be to me, out of fear of triggering her episode, I had no choice but to allow Lucas and Tate to pretend to be a couple. And now, Tate had become a permanent part of their family while I had been reduced to an extra. As soon as I got to the hotel, Lucas sent another message. [Did you get there? Answer me.] He was worried about me, yet he couldn’t even bring himself to make a phone call. I looked down and replied, [I booked my own hotel. I need to get back to work.] He didn’t ask any further questions or offer any extra explanation. [Alright, I’ll come pick you up tomorrow morning.] The night outside was ablaze with lights. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the bright fireworks in the distance. It looked so lively. Lucas updated his Instagram feed with a new video. In the video, he was holding Tate’s hand as they lit fireworks together. With a loud whoosh, a firework shot up into the sky. Tate ducked playfully into his arms, and he cupped his hands over her ears to block the sound. In the split second they locked eyes, the brilliant sparks of the fireworks reflected in their gazes, making them look exactly like a real couple. The caption read, “For the rest of my life, I will be right by your side.” It was romantic and beautiful. I stared at those words and laughed bitterly because Lucas had once said those exact words to me during the New Year after we started working. Lucas hadn’t gone home, choosing instead to stay behind in our rented apartment to ring in the New Year with me. In the final seconds of the countdown, he dropped to one knee and slid a diamond ring onto my ring finger. He kissed the back of my hand and swore, “Lily, for the rest of my life, I will be right by your side.” That day had been the happiest moment of my life, and I believed Lucas and I would be a real family. So, I swallowed every grievance and waited year after year. Yet, when all was said and done, all I got was his passionate declaration to Tate, and I was no longer the bride in the wedding. The comment section beneath the video was flooded with likes and comments from friends and family. Alison: [My gorgeous daughter-in-law.] [When is the wedding? I can’t wait to celebrate!] After a long silence, I liked it and left a comment. [Wishing you both happiness.] Shortly after, both of them reached out in our trio chat, offering synchronized excuses. [Lily, we’re just putting on an act. Don’t overthink it.] [Lily, please don’t misunderstand. Alison took that video and forced Lucas to post it on his feed.] However, I wasn’t a fool. The love they shared every time their eyes met couldn’t be faked. Chapter 3 The next morning, Lucas drove over to pick me up. “Lily, come home with me.” “It’s fine. Your mother doesn’t want me there.” Instead of listening, he grabbed my wrist and forced me into the car. “Stop making a scene. Mom has forgotten all about yesterday.” I let out a bitter laugh. “Your mother may have forgotten all about it, but I still remember.” I couldn’t forget the disgust in her eyes when she looked at me or the dismissive words she spoke, but I couldn’t beat his stubborn persistence. Or perhaps, deep down, a tiny sliver of hope remained within me. When we returned to the Karevs’ house, Alison was, sure enough, acting as if nothing had happened. However, she still failed to recognize who I was. When Tate introduced me as her best friend, Alison simply nodded with a smile. At the dining table, the conversation suddenly switched to the wedding, and Alison asked if I would be Tate’s bridesmaid. I shook my head in refusal. “I’m busy with work and won’t have the time.” Lucas’s younger sister scoffed, “You just wish you were the bride instead.” I froze. Lucas, too, frowned. “What nonsense are you talking about?” His sister pointed at me with a wounded look and said, “Yesterday I saw her on the balcony, throwing herself into your arms–” Tate quickly chimed in to explain, “Lily is my best friend. She would never do something like that.” Even so, Alison’s face instantly turned grim, and for the rest of the meal, she didn’t say a single word to me. After lunch, I was just about to leave when Alison suddenly called out to me. “You’re Lily, aren’t you? Tate and Lucas are getting married soon. Didn’t your parents ever teach you to stay away from a taken man?” Parents? I had no family. I took a deep breath and said bitterly, “Don’t worry, Mrs. Karev. I won’t ever come back here again.” Hearing that, Lucas stared in shock and was about to step forward, but Alison held him back. In the end, Tate walked me to the door. “Lily, Alison was betrayed in the past, so it’s only normal that she gets triggered easily. Please don’t take it to heart.” She was supposed to be my best friend, the one standing by my side. Yet now, even her tone mirrored that of the Karev family. I didn’t respond. Instead, I opened an app on my phone and booked a one-way flight out of the country. Lucas and Tate stayed in his hometown for two days. Following Alison’s wishes, they went to get their pre-wedding photos taken. Alison even posted photos on Instagram showing Lucas accompanying Tate while she tried on wedding dresses. The gowns were gorgeous, and the two of them truly looked like a perfect match. Tate sent me several photos, wanting me to help her pick out which dress looked best. Right after sending them, she added an explanation. [Since our body shapes are pretty much the same, you can take this as me trying out wedding dresses for you. It’ll save you the trouble later.] I didn’t reply to her as I used to. When Lucas finally returned home, I was packing my luggage. Assuming I was going on another business trip, he helped me pack my clothes into the suitcase. “How long will this trip be? When are you leaving?” “Tomorrow.” Lucas stopped what he was doing. “The wedding is set for three days from now. If you can’t make it… that’s actually for the best.” I clenched my fists silently. He wanted to talk more, but Alison suddenly made a video call to discuss the wedding details with him. I instinctively stepped away, walking behind him in my sleepwear, which ended up being caught on camera. Alison immediately panicked. “Why is Tate’s best friend at your place? Are you two together?” Lucas quickly covered the camera. “Mom, you’re mistaken. That was Tate…” “I refuse to believe you! Take your hand away!” Unable to win the argument, he made up an excuse. “Mom, Lily came over to drop off some work documents. It’s not what you think.” He then motioned for me to change out of my sleepwear. Faced with the urgency, I had no choice but to comply. Yet, when Alison saw the dress I was wearing, she scolded me anyway, “I knew you were up to no good! Dressing like that to seduce Lucas? Just as I thought, you’re a slut–” My suppressed emotions burst at that instant. I snatched the phone right out of Lucas’s hand and said, “Mrs. Karev, I’m Lucas’s real girlfriend! They’ve been lying to–” “Enough!” Lucas cut me off sharply, grabbing the phone back and disconnecting the call immediately. He looked at me with disappointment. “Lily, are you crazy? You know how unstable my mother’s condition is. Why would you provoke her?” Tears welled up in my eyes as I asked, “Lucas, can you swear that you two were just putting on an act and never crossed the line with each other?” His eyes flickered, showing a brief moment of panic. Then, he wrapped his arms around me. “Lily, I know this has all been very unfair to you. Just wait for me, and I promise I’ll make it up to you.” He only spoke of making it up to me, yet he never denied his relationship with Tate. I finally had an answer to the question that had tormented me for so many years. I pushed him away and walked back into the bedroom alone. Lucas didn't follow me. Through the door, I could hear him on the phone with Tate, discussing how to soothe Alison again. With my ear against the door, I bit my lip to keep myself from crying aloud. Looking at the flight reminder on my screen, I knew leaving Lucas was the best decision I had ever made in my entire life. Chapter 4 When I woke up the next morning, Lucas was already gone. I gathered my documents and headed to the office to settle my resignation paperwork. While I was packing up my desk, the receptionist mentioned someone was looking for me. The moment I stepped out of the elevator, Alison came rushing toward me in a frenzy. “Mrs. Karev, you–” A slap across my face left my cheek stinging. Before I could react, she shoved me back roughly and shouted, “Lucas is marrying your best friend! How dare you have the nerve to cling to him?” Her piercing voice echoed down the hall, drawing a crowd of colleagues who gathered to watch. Their judgmental glares felt like needles piercing my skin. I said, my voice trembling, “Mrs. Karev, Lucas and Tate are just putting on an act. I’m the one who’s been his girlfriend from the very beginning.” “Nonsense! You’re nothing but a homewrecker! Lucas and Tate registered their marriage long ago. Where do you even fit into this?” The next second, she pulled out her phone and shoved a picture of a marriage certificate in front of my face. My body froze as I stared at the names printed on the certificate: Lucas Karev and Tate Hale. Alison even held her phone up toward the bystanders around us. “Everyone, judge for yourselves! My son and her best friend are legally married. If she isn’t a homewrecker, then what is she?” I shook with sheer anger. By the time Lucas arrived, the situation was already completely out of hand. He grabbed Alison’s arm and said, “Mom, let’s go home and discuss this–” “I’m going to say it right here and expose this shameless woman for who she is!” Alison broke free from his grip and lunged toward me again, but Lucas immediately stepped in front of me, shielding me. He turned his head and whispered, “Lily, don’t blame her. I’ll make this up to you.” Unable to reach me, Alison screamed hysterically, like she was on the verge of a breakdown. “Lucas, if you don’t break things off with this homewrecker right now, I’ll kill myself!” Lucas turned pale and instantly let go of me, rushing forward to support her. “Mom, Lily really isn’t–” “Then who is she?” I looked at Lucas, desperately waiting for him to set the record straight. All it would take was a single word from him. Just then, Tate arrived at the scene. She looked hesitant, with tears in her eyes. Lucas opened his mouth but hesitated to speak. In the end, I only heard him speak as if it meant nothing at all. “Mom, I’ll break things off with her right now.” I stood frozen, my mind blank. The crowd erupted into murmurs. “So she really is the homewrecker!” “No wonder she’s resigning and packing her things. She’s feeling guilty…” Alison fainted from the distress. Without sparing another glance at me, Lucas and Tate frantically dialed for an ambulance. Meanwhile, I stood paralyzed on the spot. It took a long time before I finally walked out of the building. Just then, my phone rang. It was Lucas. “Lily, please come to the hospital and apologize to Mom, okay? The doctor said she can’t handle any more stress…” I replied, “What did I do wrong?” Yet, Lucas wouldn’t drop it, begging me to come to the hospital. “Lily, this is the last time, I promise.” When I arrived, Alison was lying on the hospital bed, her face pale. Seeing her, my heart softened despite everything. “Mrs. Karev, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have fallen for Lucas, and I certainly shouldn’t have been with him.” Alison glared at me. “I don’t ever want to see you again.” I let out a self-deprecating smile. They truly were never going to see me again anyway. As I walked out of the ward, Tate rushed up to comfort me. “Lily, I know you’ve been through a lot. Once this last wedding act is over, I’ll give Lucas right back to you.” I pushed her away gently. “There’s no need to return him. You two suit each other pretty well.” Tate looked momentarily taken aback. She dropped to her knees and cried, “Lily, there’s really nothing going on between him and me…” Yet, the subtle, intimate marks on her collarbone stung me. Lucas happened to witness that moment. Assuming I was giving her a hard time, he pulled her up to her feet first. “Don’t take it out on her,” he told me. Tate tried to explain, “It’s not like that!” Lucas was only more convinced that I was making things difficult for her. He looked at me indifferently. “Aren't you leaving for your business trip? Let me drive you–” I shook my head. “It’s fine.” As I got into the car, a text message came from Tate. [Lily, I promise you, I’ll stay far away from Lucas.] Instead of replying, I blocked her number. Lucas had said to me earlier, “Lily, I didn’t handle things too well today. When you get back from your trip, we’ll get married…” Lucas still had no idea that I had bought a one-way ticket. This time, there would be no turning back.