My Ex-Husband Invited Me to His Wedding Just to Watch Me Show Up Alone — So I Hired a Stranger to Be My Date. The Moment the Bride Saw Him, Her Face Went White.

Julian offered his arm.

“No. You’re paying me to eat expensive food and lie convincingly.”

“And the existential crisis?”

“Complimentary.”

We drove to the vineyard.

The ceremony began at five.

We arrived at six fifteen.

That part was deliberate.

I had no desire to watch Mason promise lifelong loyalty to a woman he’d met while breaking that same promise to me.

I wanted the reception.

The crowd.

The moment of recognition.

Nothing more.

At least that’s what I told myself.

Hawthorne Ridge looked like something from a bridal magazine.

String lights stretched across the terrace.

White roses covered the tables.

A jazz quartet played beside the fountain.

Waiters moved between guests carrying champagne.

Julian stepped out of the car first and offered me his hand.

“You ready?”

“No.”