Part 1Six Long Straws

At our engagement party, my twin sister intentionally wore a dress identical to mine.

She asked my fiancé to guess which one was me.

Lucas smiled confidently: "I could never mistake my baby."

But that night, I saw him and my sister in the wine cellar, kissing passionately.

When caught, he knelt before me, crying: "Cynthia, I didn't mean to. I mistook her for you. You two look too much alike!"

My sister calmly picked up her discarded black lace lingerie from the floor. "Sister, don't misunderstand. I just wanted to test my brother-in-law's loyalty for you. I felt he really loves you; he almost devoured me."

She even deliberately revealed a fresh hickey on her neck.

Three months later, my sister crashed my wedding with a pregnancy test report.

My parents looked heartbroken. "Things have come to this; there's no other way. Let... let your sister have this marriage!"

I smiled bitterly, accepting it, then turned to face the seven groomsmen present.

"My wedding is missing a groom. Who wants to fill the spot?"

* * *

As soon as the words left my lips, the seven groomsmen scrambled to raise their hands. Some even stood on chairs, afraid I would overlook them.

"Pick me! Pick me!"

"Cynthia, I can be your groom!"

"And me! I'm the one who suits you best..."

Until Ethan stepped forward.

"Let's draw lots."

The wedding scene, which had been awkward and tense, suddenly became lively again.

Ethan had someone prepare seven straws and looked around.

"There are six long straws and one short one here. Whoever draws the short one gets to be Cynthia's groom."

I found a seat with interest and watched them draw lots.

The guests' gazes fell on me. "I didn't expect Cynthia to be so lucky, having so many suitors fighting to marry her."

"I bet Lucas, who just backed out of the marriage, is regretting it now."

My sister, Chloe, clenched her fists in anger.

"Lucas, my sister is doing this on purpose to get back at us."

"Mom and Dad clearly said to let us get married first today. Why is she making a scene here? It's like this has become her show."

Lucas, however, looked lazy and unconcerned.

"What are you afraid of? Those groomsmen are my best buddies. I know them best. They're definitely fighting to marry Cynthia as a prank, just for fun."

"A used shoe like her, how could they treat her like a treasure? They're just teasing a cat."

His words fell into my ears, and I curled my lips in a cold sneer.

He didn't know yet.

The seven groomsmen had been secretly pursuing me behind his back.

Three months ago, Lucas complained about me in a VIP room at a bar.

"Cynthia is so boring, like a dead fish. Not nearly as sexy as Chloe."

"They're twins, but Chloe's eyes are so seductive. I even want to sleep with her to try it out. I won't be satisfied until I get her."

Two months ago, Lucas bragged in their group chat.

"Finally got her. I hooked up with Chloe behind Cynthia's back several times, even went to hotels, and she had no idea."

And last time, after being caught by me, Lucas thought he had deceived me well and went to the group chat to boast again.

"Cynthia, that idiot, I tricked her into thinking I mistook the person and kissed her sister, and she actually believed it."

"In the future, even if she's sleeping in the bedroom, Chloe and I could make out right under her nose, and she probably wouldn't notice..."

Every time he said these things.

Someone would immediately forward them to me.

And fight for credit.

"Cynthia, I should be the first one to tip you off this time, right?"

"Lucas is such a scumbag. You should have kicked him to the curb long ago. Let me take his place, okay?"

"Besides, he hooked up with your sister long ago. A jerk like that should have been dumped ages ago."

"I'm different from him. I've been loyal from the start, only liking you all these years, even going undercover for you."

"Let me take over, let me take over."

"And me!"

...

Thinking of this, a light smile appeared on my face. At the same time, the result of the seven groomsmen drawing lots came out.

"I drew the short straw."

The corners of Ethan's mouth turned up. The other six immediately protested, "Ethan, you cheated!"

"Exactly, how could it be you? You're too lucky!"

"This round doesn't count, re-draw!"

Ethan ignored them and raised his hand to signal the bodyguards to maintain order.

The other six groomsmen instantly wilted.

"Damn, knew this would happen. The six of us were delusional. Who can compete with the heir of the Hunt family?"

"And Ethan is the most devoted. He's crazy enough to do anything to chase Cynthia. How could he let this opportunity slip?"

"Forget it, forget it. Let's just be good groomsmen."

Under everyone's gaze, Ethan walked towards me with a shallow smile and extended his hand.

"Come, I am your groom."