I thought I knew my best friend. Jake and I had been through everything—college, heartbreaks, and road trips. When he met Clare, I supported him just as he had supported me.

So when the wedding invitations arrived, I expected no surprises. My girlfriend of three years, Emily, had been part of our group for years. She even helped Jake pick out the engagement ring.

But when I opened the envelope, my stomach dropped.

No plus-one. No “& Emily.” Just me.

I texted Jake: “Hey, man, I think there’s a mistake. Emily’s name isn’t on it.”

His response was instant.

“Not a mistake. We need to talk.”

That night, I confronted Mark, another groomsman. His face paled. “Wait… they didn’t tell you?”

I stormed off and found Jake. “Why wasn’t Emily invited?”

Before he could answer, Clare appeared, arms crossed. “Because Lisa would lose her mind.”

Lisa?

Clare rolled her eyes. “She’s obsessed with you. Thinks you two are destined.”

I blinked. “So you uninvited my girlfriend… to protect Lisa’s fantasy?”

Jake muttered, “It’s just one night, man. We wanted to keep things simple.”

Clare scoffed. “You’re acting like we asked you to cheat. Just suck it up.”

I exhaled sharply. “No. I can’t.”

Jake looked panicked. “Wait, dude—”

“I’m done. With the wedding. With this friendship.”

And I walked away.

The next morning, Emily listened, shaking her head. “That’s pathetic.”

We laughed.

And karma? She delivered.

Lisa had a full meltdown at the wedding. Cops were called. Cake destroyed. Jake’s “perfect” day? Ruined.

And me? I was home. Drama-free. With Emily.

No regrets.