The Groom Chooses The Maid Of Honour

Mia stormed into her house, slamming the door behind her so hard that the walls shook.

"Welcome back, Miss—"

"Get lost!" she snapped at the housekeeper before stomping up the stairs to her bedroom.

The second she got inside, she threw her bag across the room, letting out a furious growl as it hit the floor. Then, without a second thought, she flung herself onto the bed, grabbing her pillow and screaming into it.

"Sakura and Haru are dating!" she shrieked, violently attacking the pillow.

Her breathing was ragged, her chest heaving as she gripped the sheets tightly, nails digging into the fabric.

"How the hell am I supposed to get her to help me hook up with Haru now?! I can't believe she had the nerve to talk to me like that in the gym!"

But it wasn't just the gym. Mia had seen everything.

She had been there when Sakura had kissed Haru in front of everyone—boldly, shamelessly—as if she had every right to claim him.

She had watched as Haru held her close, kissed her back, and didn't push her away.

And then, as if that wasn't enough—She had seen him ask her out.

She had stood in the distance, watching in horror as Sakura had nodded with that stupid, bright smile like she had won something that was never hers to begin with.

And Haru—Haru had looked relieved. Happy.

Like being with Sakura was what he had wanted all along.

Mia's stomach twisted, bile rising in her throat.

And then, to make things even worse, she had witnessed Haru's forehead kiss outside the university.

She had stayed hidden, seething as she watched him touch Sakura so gently, so sweetly—like she was someone precious to him.

Like she was the only girl in the world. Her fingernails dug into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped marks in her skin.

No. No. NO.

This wasn't supposed to happen. Haru was supposed to be hers. She was his future wife!

Mia's breathing grew unsteady, her vision blurring with rage.

Sakura had taken everything from her.

And Mia wasn't going to let her win.

She grabbed her phone and quickly typed a message to Kenji, the sleazebag from the mixer.

"Send me the picture you took with Sakura. ASAP."

A few minutes later, her phone buzzed.

Kenji: No. The deal was I get to sleep with Sakura, and you get your picture. Since that didn't happen, I'm not sending you anything.

Mia's nostrils flared, her grip tightening on her phone.

"Listen, moron," she typed furiously, her fingers slamming against the screen. "The guy who sucker-punched you and Ryo at the mixer? Yeah, he's dating Sakura now. Unless you want to lose your chance with her, send me the damn picture."

It didn't take long for Kenji to cave in.

Kenji: Fine.

A moment later, an image popped up on her screen—Kenji holding a half-conscious Sakura in his arms.

Mia's lips curled into a wicked smile.

"Perfect."

Without hesitation, she called Kei. He picked up almost instantly. "Hello?"

Mia didn't waste a second. "What did you say to Sakura at the gym?!"

Kei sighed on the other end. "I didn't mention anything about you. Remember, I'm in love with you."

For just a moment, Mia's heart skipped a beat.

But the feeling vanished as quickly as it came, her rage taking over again.

"Then why the hell is she mad at me?!"

Kei's voice remained calm but firm. "Mia, you were cruel to her during the mixer. That's not my fault, so don't take it out on me."

Mia's breath hitched, but Kei wasn't done.

"I know you're angry that Sakura and Haru are dating—"

"Shut up!" Mia screamed, so loud that Kei had to pull the phone away from his ear.

There was a long pause before Kei spoke again. His voice was lower now, colder.

"Change is coming, Mia. You should stop this madness before you dig yourself into a hole you can't climb out of."

And with that, he ended the call.

Mia stared at the screen, her chest rising and falling heavily.

"Stupid Kei," she muttered, clenching her fists.

But even as she closed her eyes, her mind kept racing.

She didn't need Sakura's help to get Haru.

Because she was his future wife.

Haru belonged to her—not Sakura. And that forehead kiss? It meant nothing.

Mia's lips curled into a smirk.

She would confess to him, just like before. But this time, she'd make sure Sakura was out of the picture.

And once Ryo printed hundreds of flyers of that photo, Haru would come running back to her.

Mia grinned, the image of Haru at her side playing in her mind like a sweet fantasy.

Everything was going to fall into place.