Chapter 1

I accidentally overheard my 'best friends' talking trash about me behind my back, calling me ugly and fat.

To test them, I lied and told them my family had gone bankrupt and I was broke. The result? They immediately kicked me out of our SnapChat group.

"If it wasn't for you being so dumb and rich, who would bother being friends with you?"

"From now on, if you see us, just disappear. You're such bad luck."

"Aria, you wouldn't blame us, would you? As a *former* friend, how could you possibly drag down your 'besties'? So, let's just break up our friendship."

I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping me, and turned to leave.

It wasn't long before they learned the truth, and then they came crawling back, crying and begging for my forgiveness.

"Where's that big idiot Aria Hayes? She's slacking off instead of working! I'm going to give her hell later." Brittany Taylor huffed.

"You're too smart, leaving all the wedding prep to Aria. Did you even pay her?" Serena Davies asked, curious.

"Aria probably paid for it herself. She's always so eager to please," Ashley Miller said, sounding like she knew me inside out.

Of course, my family was old-fashioned, always prioritizing my brother over me, so I’d been funding Ashley's university tuition and living expenses since day one.

After spending half the day painstakingly decorating the bridal suite, I finally collapsed in a corner, ready for a break. That's when I heard my three 'best friends' tear into me with a torrent of insults.

Their attitude was completely different from usual, and I couldn't help but hold my breath, wanting to hear what else they'd say.

"Haha, well, it's Aria's fault for being so dumb and rich. Just sweet-talk her for a second, call her 'bestie,' and she's so thrilled she doesn't know what hit her. From college until now, it's worked every single time. I almost feel sorry for her," Brittany said, clearly gloating.

"God is so unfair. Aria Hayes is dumb as a brick, and her looks are terrifying, yet she's incredibly lucky and loaded. If only we had her money," Ashley said regretfully.

"So what? Just ask Aria for whatever you want. I'm planning to milk her for all she's worth for the wedding, make her buy me a car and a house as gifts."

"If she dares say no, I'll just threaten to cut her off. She'll meekly fork it over," Brittany boasted shamelessly.

Serena suddenly sighed deeply, then her voice turned chilling.

"What if Aria just... disappeared? She's an only child, so all that money... We could pretend to be her grieving best friends, comfort her parents, and who knows, maybe we could inherit her family's fortune. What a pity."

The room fell silent after her words. I could clearly hear my heart pounding uncontrollably in my chest.

"Pfft! I was just kidding! Don't take it so seriously. I could never do something so terrible. Just saying it out loud was enough," Serena said, laughing as if nothing had happened.

"Haha, yeah, right! Aria is our best friend!" Ashley added awkwardly.

Brittany didn't say anything, only responding distractedly.

Even though they quickly changed the subject, for a moment there, I broke out in a cold sweat.

Human hearts can never truly be tested. If those three were truly scheming against me, I was certain I would have fallen for it hook, line, and sinker.

After all, we'd known each other for years, and I had come to see them as family, completely letting my guard down.

Memories of the four of us laughing and joking together felt like a slap in the face. The memories were so beautiful, I couldn't bear to believe it was all just manipulation.

Brittany, always cheerful and like a ray of sunshine; Ashley, quiet but the most thoughtful; Serena, seemingly fragile and delicate… my best friends, they all turned rotten today.

I leaned numbly against the wall, my thoughts spiraling, not even noticing when they left the room.

Until my phone vibrated violently, and I slowly opened our pinned group chat.