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My Best Friend Became My Brother's Wife
NovelShort
Completed
My best friend married my brother. She was incredibly modest and never chased after fame or fortune, and everyone admired her for this. When she married my brother, I helped her request 188 thousand dollars from my brother and parents as a wedding gift, but she insisted that since we were family, money shouldn't come between us and refused the money. When they bought a house, I asked for her to get her name on the property deed, but she said she didn't contribute financially and wasn't necessary. During her confinement after childbirth, I asked my parents to hire a nanny for her, but she understood how hard they worked for their money and said it wasn't worth the expense. My brother went out to fool around every night and never came home. When I tried to confront him, she stood in his defense, saying her postnatal appearance was to blame, not him. Despite my efforts to support her, she became the beloved good woman, while I was seen as a traitor. Eventually, my brother's pregnant mistress came to our door. She blamed me for meddling in their family affairs, saying my interference made my brother resent her, leading him to seek solace elsewhere. During an argument, she pushed me down the stairs. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day she first came to meet our family.
Chapters (6)
第1章
My best friend married my brother. She was incredibly modest and never chased after fame or fortune, and everyone admired her for this.
When she married my brother, I helped her request 188 thousand dollars from my brother and parents as a wedding gift, but she insisted that since we were family, money shouldn't come between us and refused the money.
When they bought a house, I asked for her to get her name on the property deed, but she said she didn't contribute financially and wasn't necessary.
During her confinement after childbirth, I asked my parents to hire a nanny for her, but she understood how hard they worked for their money and said it wasn't worth the expense.
My brother went out to fool around every night and never came home. When I tried to confront him, she stood in his defense, saying her postnatal appearance was to blame, not him.
Despite my efforts to support her, she became the beloved good woman, while I was seen as a traitor.
Eventually, my brother's pregnant mistress came to our door. She blamed me for meddling in their family affairs, saying my interference made my brother resent her, leading him to seek solace elsewhere.
During an argument, she pushed me down the stairs.
When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day she first came to meet our family.
1
"Lilian, you see, we are not very wealthy. Since you will be part of our family, we can keep the wedding gift symbolic, right? Don't worry. Once you marry my son, I'll treat you like my own daughter."
My mother's voice brought me back to reality. I was stunned. What was going on? Wasn't I dead?
I pinched myself hard, and the sharp pain made me realize that I had been reborn. I was back to the day Lilian came to meet our family.
"Mrs. Winslow, I'm not too familiar with these things. Whatever you think is best." Lilian's soft voice pulled me back to the present.
Seeing Lilian's response, my mother, Genevieve, immediately beamed joyfully and said, "Then I'll make the decision. How about we set the money at 8,800 dollars?"
As soon as Genevieve finished speaking, I saw a flash of surprise and reluctance on Lilian's face.
Lilian seemed to want to protest but thought better of it and silently lowered her head. She then turned to me with a pitiful look that I knew all too well.
In my previous life, that look prompted me to stand up to my mother for her and raise the money to 188 thousand dollars.
But then, in front of everyone, Lilian said, "The money doesn't matter. I love Ethan for who he is, not for his money. Besides, weddings are expensive. Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, why don't we just skip the gift and use the money for the wedding?"
I vividly remember how my parents were overjoyed when she said that. They praised her for being sensible and understanding, insisting they would never treat her unfairly, and ended up giving her the 188 thousand dollars as a wedding gift.
The truth was, our family wasn't poor. One hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars was easily affordable, but my mother had always been shrewd and frugal. She worried that once the money went into Lilian's pocket, we'd never see it again.
第2章
Lilian always knew how to manipulate me. Every time she gave me that pitiful look, I couldn't help but stand up for her and get her what she wanted.
But this time, I didn't want to be the one taking the hit anymore. So, I pretended not to notice and turned my head away.
When Lilian saw that I didn't respond for a long time, she looked a little flustered.
Genevieve, growing impatient without the answer she wanted, snapped, "What? Are you not satisfied with the money I suggested? It seems you don't love my son that much, after all! Let me tell you, don't get too greedy. If you're not willing, plenty of girls are eager to marry my son!"
Lilian grew anxious at Genevieve's words. After all, Ethan was tall and handsome and earned a good salary. He was one of the best prospects among the men she knew. She hurriedly explained, "No, Mrs. Winslow. What you said is right. Gigi, don't you agree?"
Perhaps because Lilian saw that I didn't give her the response she wanted, she suddenly cued me.
Seeing the hopeful look in Lilian's eyes, I smiled, "I've never been married, so I'm not sure about the money. But I think 8,800 dollars is sufficient."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Lilian's face at my words while my mother looked at me with approval.
Ethan smiled and patted Lilian's head, affectionately saying, "Don't worry, Lilian. I'll be good to you for the rest of my life."
Seeing there was no room for negotiation, Lilian could only nod in feigned understanding.
第3章
After seeing Lilian off, my mother patted my shoulder and cheerfully said, "Good job today, girl. Finally, you're on the same page as me. When Lilian asked you, I thought you'd speak up for her again!"
My father looked at me approvingly and added, "I also thought you, silly girl, would embarrass your mom in front of everyone again."
Look at that. My reputation as Lilian's mouthpiece was firmly established at home. I sighed and said, "I used to be foolish, always wanting to stand up for her. But now I realize that being the first to stick out never ends well."
My parents were very pleased with my epiphany and praised me for finally growing up. Little did they know that this so-called growing up came at the cost of my life.
I remembered how, in my previous life, after I had stood up to my mother for Lilian, my mother had been sarcastic with me for weeks, and my father had been deeply disappointed.
Yet they had praised Lilian for suggesting forgoing the money, boasting to everyone about what a good wife their son had gotten.
I angrily confronted Lilian then, asking why she had undermined me. She explained, "I was afraid your parents and Ethan would think I was after money. Besides, we've been friends for so many years. You're so good, so your family must be good too. They will surely treat me well, and as long as they do, the money doesn't matter."
I had called her foolish at the time, thinking she should value something more reliable than people's goodwill. After all, human hearts changed, but money stayed loyal. Yet, why had her expression changed today if she didn't care about money?
Thinking back, it wasn't she who was foolish but me. The incidents where she betrayed me were countless. Since she claimed to be so modest and never chased after fame or fortune, I would let her be just that this time.
第4章
Genevieve was always efficient and decisive. Given that Lilian's parents had passed away early and she was raised by her grandmother, who had little say in the wedding arrangements, it took less than a month for my family to finalize the details of Lilian and Ethan's wedding.
There was no romantic proposal like Lilian had once dreamed of, nor the elaborate venue decorations, officiant, flower girls, bridesmaids, and groomsmen she had hoped for.
It was just a simple wedding procession and a feast. I saw Lilian's displeasure when Genevieve informed her of the wedding plans. It was evident that Lilian was not happy with the forthcoming wedding.
In my previous life, besides the 188 thousand dollars, I had also helped Lilian persuade my parents to have a grand wedding, booking a star-rated hotel in advance, decorating it nicely, and hiring an officiant to give her a spectacular wedding.
My frugal mother was naturally reluctant, but couldn't say it outright in front of Lilian. That was when Lilian jumped in, saying it was unnecessary to waste money and that a simple ceremony would suffice.
This gesture earned Lilian even more favor with my parents, while I got severely scolded.
I was furious and asked her if she didn't want a romantic wedding the most.
She replied lightly, "Gigi, we're not kids anymore. Now that I'm getting married, I must understand the importance of being frugal. We need to know which expenses are necessary and which aren't."
My parents felt extremely fortunate when they saw how sensible Lilian was and insisted on giving her and Ethan a grand wedding. That wedding brought her immense pride and joy.
Faced with Genevieve's arrangements, Lilian once again gave me that familiar pleading look. I ignored her and continued to play with my phone.
Lilian had no choice but to nod and agree.
On the wedding day, Lilian's face showed no happiness but embarrassment.
I knew precisely why Lilian felt this way. Her ex-boyfriend had sent her a wedding invitation, and she had taken me to attend.
That wedding was held in a five-star hotel, and everything from the venue decorations to the ceremony exuded extreme romance. It was the kind of wedding every girl dreamed of. Lilian tore up and told me it would be even more grand and spectacular when she married, outshining her ex's wedding.
But now, her ex was sitting in some obscure corner of the room, witnessing her ordinary, lackluster wedding. The simplicity of it all had robbed her of any sense of pride or triumph.
第5章
As expected, I saw a message from her ex on the phone that Lilian had temporarily left with me after the wedding.
[Lilian, I can't believe how far you've fallen since leaving me. Who is this guy you're marrying? He can't even give you a decent wedding.]
I pretended not to see it and handed Lilian the phone when she finished her tasks.
As soon as Lilian opened it, tears quickly welled in her eyes.
Ethan noticed and asked, "Lilian, what's wrong?"
Lilian quickly composed herself and replied softly, "Nothing, it's just that getting married like this suddenly made me a bit emotional."
Seeing Lilian's delicate demeanor, Ethan hugged her lovingly and then turned to me, saying, "Gigi, Lilian is new to our family and might feel out of place. Since you're her best friend, you should spend more time with her."
I nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will." I would spend time with her, alright, but how I did it was up to me.
Right then, I invited two friends over to my house. These two had no filter and spoke without thinking. In my previous life, they had indirectly insulted Lilian multiple times after they came over.
Back then, I stood up for Lilian, scolding them harshly, and our friendship sank instantly.
Lilian, however, stepped in, saying she believed they didn't mean it and that I was too sensitive. This made me so angry that I stormed off.
From that moment on, Lilian and those two became inseparable. They spread rumors about me and painted me as difficult to get along with. Because of their efforts, I became the pariah of our social circle, with many people avoiding me.
第6章
As expected, when my two friends arrived, they first said to Lilian, "Lilian, not to be mean, but people have been laughing behind your back about your wedding."
"Exactly! You were the class belle, and yet your wedding was so lackluster. Not having it in a hotel is one thing, but even the banquet was simple. Is your husband's family that poor?"
These words hit hard, and the smile vanished from Lilian's face.
I could see the veins in her temples throbbing, and I knew she was fuming inside. However, she didn't want to break her calm and gentle facade. She turned to look at me, hoping for support, but I anticipated her move and got up to pour water for my friends.
Seeing I didn't come to her rescue, Lilian had no choice but to suppress her annoyance and feign graciousness. "A wedding is just a ceremony. Spending too much is a waste. Ethan is planning to buy a house soon, so I thought it would be better to save wherever we could. I'm sorry if the experience was disappointing for you."
If this were a normal situation, anyone would praise her for being a sensible wife. But my two friends weren't exactly the sharpest tools in the shed.
Hearing Lilian's explanation, they continued, "Looks like it's true your husband is poor. Otherwise, why would he not even have a house and have to scrimp and save?"
"Yeah, even the class belle ended up marrying worse than me, the plain one!"
Their blunt remarks made Lilian's eyes redden with anger, but she held back, not daring to lose her temper.
Perhaps hoping to redirect the focus, Lilian said with a forced smile, "Did you forget? My husband is Gigi's brother."
At this, my friends froze, looking at me with embarrassment. I waved and said, "No worries, what you said is true. I also think the wedding was way too simple."
My friends visibly relaxed at my words, but Lilian's eyes flashed with a hint of resentment towards me.
