See through love, see through you

I spent five years chasing after Jake, just to get a taste of that "older man" thing.I finally managed to snag my best friend's uncle and turn him into my fiancé.But then, as I was standing there in my wedding dress, ready to seal the deal, I overheard him talking to one of his buddies."Jake, are you really going to marry Bethany?"His eyes were cold and calculating."Yeah, my pathetic little ex-girlfriend is knocked up, and my grandpa's pissed. Marrying Bethany will keep him happy.""Aren't you worried Bethany might find out about your side piece and cause trouble for your precious sweetheart?""Nah, she's head over heels for me, she'll protect my bloodline. Besides, she's a pushover. Marrying her means my baby mama is safe."My world crumbled. I was in shock.Then, everything went black. Car crash.I woke up remembering everyone... except him.When my parents called, pressuring me to go back home and marry some rich dude, I booked a flight for the next week, no questions asked.1.Back at my place, I hauled out my suitcase, ready to pack my bags.Chloe stared at me, disbelief written all over her face."Bethany, you're really going through with this arranged marriage?"I didn't even look up."Yup, plane tickets are booked. I'm outta here in seven days."Chloe hesitated. "Are you sure you can just leave? Leave… my uncle?"I frowned. "I don't remember your uncle at all. So, what do I care? Was I, like, totally in love with him?"Chloe rummaged through a drawer and shoved a thick diary into my hands."You were obsessed! This thing has five years' worth of entries, all about your epic quest to win him over!"I started flipping through the pages, my chest tightening like someone was sitting on it.999 attempts to confess my feelings, 999 different ways he turned me down, and one name that kept popping up: Ashley.Chloe sighed, her voice heavy."Ashley is his first love, the woman he's always pined over."I slammed the diary shut."Why would I want to fight over some washed-up guy who rejected me 999 times? I'm going home to marry a freakin' puppy!""What old man? What marriage?"A voice like ice cut through the air. I spun around.Jake leaned against the doorframe, tall and intimidating.His eyes were full of annoyance and barely concealed disgust."Bethany, what kind of game are you playing now?"His words were dripping with sarcasm, like everything I did was just a desperate cry for attention.Chloe jumped to explain. "Uncle, Bethany, she…""I wasn't talking to you."Jake's gaze turned to me, sharp as a knife."Bethany, I agreed to marry you. Don't think about pulling any stunts behind my back. And stay away from Ashley."His tone left no room for argument."Get ready, we're going to an auction."I frowned. "Why?""Ashley is pregnant, she is not feeling well."Jake's voice softened, a rare moment of tenderness."I'm gonna pick up some necklaces to cheer her up. She is following me around without a title, bringing you along will keep other people from talking."I was stunned.Then, a wave ...