Chapter 1
In my tenth year working for a classified government agency, my high school group chat suddenly exploded with people tagging me like crazy.]
[Stella Channing, what’s your deal? Autumn’s getting married and you’re not even showing up?]
I scrolled through the messages and realized that Autumn Walsh, our high school queen bee, was getting married today.
Pretty much everyone from our class was there.[]
[Sorry, I can’t get time off from work.] I replied matter–of–factly, only to get absolutely roasted by the group.]
[What kind of crappy job doesn’t give you time off?]]]
[Do I even need to ask? Obviously some sketchy little operation she’s too embarrassed to talk about.]]]
Autumn tagged me: [Remember that bet we made back in the day? I said I’d end up way more successful than you?]]]
I replied honestly: [Nope, don’t remember.]]]
That set everyone off:[]
[Girl, Autumn just married the richest guy in Chicago! She’s literally a princess now!]]]
[What, you’re doing so badly you can’t handle the comparison, so you’re playing dumb?]]]
[Bet you can’t even afford a wedding gift! Should we start a GoFundMe to help you scrape together some cash?]]
While everyone was dragging me, Autumn tagged me again, fake–sweet as ever:[]
{I really hope you can make it to my wedding to witness my happiness!]]]
[For old times‘ sake, I’ll even hook you up with a housekeeping gig.]]]
Then she dropped a wedding photo of her and her husband.[]
When I saw the groom, my jaw hit the floor.[]
Wasn’t this my husband Kieran Holt, the same guy who’d been begging to marry me three years ago?]
[Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss witnessing your happiness for the world!]]]
ATN
Right after replying to Autumn, I got a text from Kieran:[]
[Babe, don’t work too hard. Come home and see me when you get some time off.][]
[I miss you so much.]]
Because of my job’s classified nature, I barely interact with the outside world.]
Even though we’re married, Kieran and I hardly see each other.
But he constantly texts me about how much he misses me.[]
I always thought he really loved me.[]
Now, looking back, it’s almost laughable.]
I requested leave from my supervisor and, following the wedding location Autumn had posted in the group chat, drove the government–issued vehicle my boss had specially approved to her hometown.]
From a distance, I could see a massive sign hanging outside Autumn’s family home:
[Welcome Phoenix Industries CEO Kieran Holt to pick up his fiancée!]]
Autumn stood in a pristine designer wedding gown, anxiously waiting for her groom.]
She was surrounded by a bunch of our old high school classmates.
“Autumn, you kept this under wraps! We had no idea your man was loaded!“]]
“Yeah! I heard Mr. Holt isn’t just rich–he’s got serious power. Nobody messes with him. You must be incredible to land such a catch!”
“Autumn, you’re about to be a billionaire’s wife! Don’t forget us little people!“]
Even our old high school teacher was sucking up to her:[]
“Autumn, I knew from day one you were destined for greatness.“[
“That’s why I never gave you grief about your grades–I could tell you were born for wealth and success!”
Basking in all the praise, Autumn’s smile stretched from ear to ear, her eyes sparkling with smugness.]
But I found it laughable.]
Because Kieran wasn’t actually that capable.[]
If it weren’t for our marriage making his rivals think twice about coming after him, they would’ve torn him apart ages ago.[]
He never would’ve made it to the top of Chicago’s rich list.
And now this was Autumn’s claim to fame,
When everyone spotted me, their fawning expressions instantly soured into looks of disgust.[]
One of Autumn’s lackeys glanced at the car behind me and immediately started mocking:
“Stella Channing, after ten years of working, this piece of junk is all you can afford?“]
Stele My Classified Husband? Exjoy You Howymoon Behdad Bars!
Chapter 1
The others burst out laughing:[]
“Oh my God, I’d rather die than be caught driving that piece of garbage!“]]
“Wait, why does her license plate have a ‘EMERGENCY‘? Th
like a super exclusive plate!“]]
“Obviously fake. There’s no way that piece of crap would have such a premium plate!“]
“No wonder she had the nerve to show up–she slapped on a fake plate
Unfazed by their insults, I calmly replied:[]
“The license plate is real.“]
“And this isn’t junk.“]]
to try and look important!
Ang at a joke!“||
The moment I finished speaking, Autumn marched over and slapped me hard across the face:]
“Of course the plate is real–because that’s my husband’s car!“]
“I’ve been suspicious about my husband having a side piece, but I never thought it would be you, you homewrecking slut!“]
“You actually had the audacity to drive my husband’s car to my wedding to mess with me?
“You’ve got some fucking nerve!“]
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