The Billionaire Husband She Can't Remember

“No! N…No! It's not them!” Those were the broken words that tumbled out from Riana’s mouth as she heard what her brother and fiance were saying about her.

“She’s such a bitch. You wouldn’t believe how she was daydreaming earlier… thinking tomorrow’s actually going to happen.” She heard Fred's voice, clear as day.

Her world cracked open, she gasped, staggering backward.

She staggered back again, hand to her mouth, trying not to scream. But her body was shaking violently, and the sob clawed up her throat before she could stop it.

Everything was true.

“Don’t mind her, my love. You’re the one I really want,” Brian’s voice came through the door. “All those sweet nothings were just words to tie her down. If only she knew how long we’ve been doing this right under her nose… she’d probably try to kill herself.”

Both of them laughed.

Riana stood frozen outside the door, her heart practically splitting in her chest. They’ve been together… for how long? Under her nose all this time.

Her fiancé, and her brother are together behind that door. They're gay.

The truth hit her like a punch to the gut. Brian hadn’t just cheated, he’d been sleeping with her own brother. And they weren’t even ashamed.

You can’t cry here, not here.

Tears spilled over anyway, blinding her vision. She turned and ran.

She didn’t stop until she reached her car. Hands shaking, she fumbled with the keys and yanked open the door.

She started the car, slamming it into reverse, she sped off down the street, tires screeching as she pulled into the road.

Brian and Fred together were laughing, lying and playing her like a fool.

The betrayal cut so deep she couldn’t even scream.

She didn’t know where she was going, she just drove. She can’t go home, can’t look at Fred, can’t face Grace, Brian or Sarah. She can’t face anyone.

Her tears blurred everything, traffic lights, street signs, the road ahead. She blinked hard, but her vision kept fogging.

Why? Why would they do this to me?

Then, suddenly, there was a headlight, blaring horn. Her tires screeched as she lost control of the steering.

Her car jolted sideways, and the force of the impact slammed her forward. She gasped, arms flying up instinctively, the wheel slipping from her grip. Her car suddenly hit another car, and she screamed in horror.

—--- How It All Started —-

Riana Theodore stood in front of the mirror, smiling giddyly. Her reflection looked almost unreal and a peace she hadn’t felt in a long time. Behind her, her best friend Grace was buzzing around the room, talking non-stop.

Tomorrow was the day she'd waited for her whole life. She was marrying Brian Stone, her childhood friend, her high school sweetheart, her everything. And somehow, it still hadn’t fully hit her.

“Can you believe it’s finally here?” Grace said, fluffing the hem of the gown laid neatly on the bed. “You’re getting married tomorrow, Riana. Like, tomorrow tomorrow!”

Riana laughed. “I know. It feels like a dream. I’ve imagined this day for so long... and now it’s here.”

“To Brian Stone, no less,” Grace grinned. “The boy-next-door turned Greek god.”

Riana chuckled. “My childhood best friend. My first kiss. My high school sweetheart... It’s always been him.”

Just then, the door creaked open and Fred, her stepbrother stepped in, already dressed in a casual button-up and jeans, ready to head to the mall.

Beside her, Grace went quiet. Riana didn’t even have to turn to know her best friend’s cheeks were probably glowing. Grace had been crushing on Fred since sophomore year and judging by the way she was suddenly rearranging the same necklace three times, nothing had changed.

“Hey, Grace,” Fred said with a casual nod.

“H-hi,” she muttered, barely looking up.

Oh Grace, Riana thought, biting back a chuckle.

Fred looked back at his sister and leaned against the doorframe. “Can’t believe my annoying little sister is getting married tomorrow. Crazy.”

“You mean your older sister,” Riana corrected, lifting an eyebrow.

“Eh. Details.” He gave a dramatic sigh. “Still gonna miss having you around to argue with.”

She smiled. “You better, but I’ll visit and call. And probably spam your phone every time I burn rice.”

Fred chuckled, then straightened up. “Just don’t cry tomorrow, okay? You’ve got a reputation to protect. Oh, and—” he pointed at her “—you’re gonna look so beautiful that Brian would lose his head. But don’t let it go to your head.”

Riana laughed, a warm feeling blooming in her chest. “Thanks, Fred. And don’t forget what I sent you. I told you I wanted to go, but you wouldn’t let me, or Grace.”

“Just relax and enjoy your evening with your best friend,” Fred said with a grin. “I’ve got this. And try not to let Grace explode from all the bridal excitement.”

Grace blushed even more.

“Be back soon!” she called after him as he disappeared down the hallway.

The door clicked shut, and silence fell.

Grace let out a breath. “Your brother is such a tease.”

Riana gave her a side glance. “Right. Says the girl who’s been crushing on him since tenth grade.”

Grace groaned. “Ugh, don’t remind me.”

They both laughed, and for a moment, the room fell quiet.

"I'm so happy for you," Grace said softly, breaking the silence. She looked over at Riana, but Riana’s gaze wasn’t on her anymore.

“Just look at it… right there,” Riana whispered dreamily.

Grace didn’t need to ask. She already knew, her eyes followed Riana’s to the wedding gown hanging on the mannequin across the room. The delicate white shimmered under the soft light, almost glowing. It was breathtaking. Grace smiled, her chest swelling with genuine joy.

“I just wish time would speed up,” Riana murmured. “I want tomorrow to be here already. I miss my man so much.”

Grace chuckled. “Girl, you literally spoke to him a few hours ago, and you said you’d call him again once Fred comes back from the mall with the gifts.”

Riana laughed, nodding. “I know. I know. I’m just…Ugh, I’m hopeless.”

“Lover girl.” Grace shook her head, grinning. “Meanwhile, it’s so painful that I’m still single. I want to miss someone too, damn it.”

They both burst into soft laughter.

Fred, her brother, well, technically her stepbrother. After her mother died, her father remarried, and instead of the wicked stepmother she’d feared, Sarah, Fred's mother had turned out to be a blessing. Loving and supportive. And Fred? Fred had always treated her like a little sister even when she was the older one.

He was the one who insisted she shouldn’t stress herself today.

Riana felt lucky.

“But I seriously can’t wait anymore,” she said, reaching for her phone with a small laugh.

Just then, a notification popped up.

Unknown Number: Watch this. Here's your ever-trusting fiancé.

Her brows furrowed. “What the hell?”

Without thinking, she tapped it. The video loaded instantly, and her entire world shifted.

Riana’s breath caught in her throat. On the screen was Brian, her fiancé. He was naked, moaning as he pounded into another woman.

Her mouth fell open, her heart thudding like a war drum in her chest.

“No…” she whispered, barely audible.

She was about to drop the phone when the person under Brian in the video turned his face toward the camera and Riana’s heart stopped. It wasn't a woman but Fred.

Her beloved stepbrother, Fred was dragging Brian’s face to his, kissing him passionately.

The phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a dull thud, and a strangled scream tore from her throat.

Grace, who’d been across the room fixing her nails, looked up in alarm. “Riana?”

She rushed over, but before Riana could answer, Grace’s eyes caught the phone’s screen still aglow on the floor. She froze, staring. Her mouth fell open in disbelief.

Riana was shaking now, weeping, gasping like she couldn’t breathe. “No… no, no, tell me it’s not them. Tell me that’s not Fred. That’s not Brian. Grace…please…tell me it’s not them…”

“Riana—” Grace knelt beside her, reaching out.

“Don’t touch me!” she cried, jerking away. “Tell me it’s not them! Tell me I didn’t just see my brother and my fiancé… together like that…”

Grace had no words. Her heart broke seeing her friend like this.

"You shouldn’t jump to conclusions, Riana,” Grace said carefully, sitting beside her. “This could be fake. You know how advanced AI and deepfake stuff is these days. Anyone could’ve fabricated that video to ruin your wedding.”

Riana looked at her, eyes swimming with confusion. Grace’s words made sense… didn’t they?

Fred and Brian… they wouldn’t do that to her. Not them. They were family. She and Brian were in love. Fred had always looked out for her. Why would they ever betray her like that?

And that number… it was unknown and suspicious. What if someone wanted to sabotage her wedding?

Then, a thought hit her. What if she just go see him instead? She needed to see Brian. Yes, she would go visit him.

“I’m going to pay Brian a surprise visit,” she said, grabbing her keys.

Grace stood up quickly. “Wait, Ria, are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“I’ll be fine. I just… I need to see his face. For my peace of mind. I’ll be right back, I promise.”

“Then let me come with you—”

But Riana was already out the door.

Grace ran to the window and watched the taillights disappear down the street. She sighed, fingers curling anxiously around the curtain.

—--And That Was How It Started—--