Oleg Married Nadia Out of Spite to His Beloved—He Wanted to Prove He Wasn’t Suffering After She Left Him

So, you know how some people make the wildest decisions just to spite someone else? Well, thats pretty much what happened with Thomas. He married Alice just to show his ex, Mary, that he wasnt heartbroken after she dumped him. Proper dramatic, right?

Thomas and Mary had been together for nearly two years. He was absolutely besotted with herwould have walked through fire, done anything for that girl. He honestly thought they were headed for marriage. Thing is, Mary never seemed keen:
Why get married now? shed shrug. I still havent finished uni, youre only just getting the hang of that family business. No decent car, no proper place of your own. Sophies my best mate, but seeing her first thing every morning in your flat doesnt sound ideal. If only you hadnt sold your parent’s house…

That stung a bit. But honestly, Mary had a point. Thomas was sharing a small London flat with his sister Sophie, and running the family shop was barely coming together after their parents passed away. Everything sort of landed on his shouldersfinishing his degree, sorting the shop, looking after Sophie, who was just starting her third year at university herself. When the inheritance finally came through, the two of them agreed selling the house was the best way to pay off the bills and put a bit back into the business.

But Mary? She always lived in the moment, all cushiony and safe under her dad’s roof, never had to graft. Thomas, on the other hand, had to grow up overnight. He kept telling himself: Sort out the business, get some savings, and well have everythingcar, house, the lot.

So, things seemed alright. He was meant to meet Mary at the Odeon, go see that new film theyd been chatting about. Odd, shed told him not to swing by her place firstshe hated buses. Thomas scanned every car that drove past, and then saw her pull up in some flash BMW.

She looked him straight in the eye and just handed him a book, saying, Im sorry, but we cant be together anymore. Im getting married. And before he could catch his breath, shed marched back to the car and vanished.

He just stood there like a lemon, trying to make sense of it. Sophie knew straight away from his face.
Youve heard, then? she asked.
He just nodded.
Found herself a proper rich boy. Weddings on the twenty-fifth. She wanted me as bridesmaid. I told her to shove it. Shes a snake, going behind your back! Sophie actually cried, bless her.

Thomas tried to keep his cool, hugging Sophie like she was still a little girl. Dont worry about her, Soph. Things will work out. Well be happier, youll see.

He locked himself away in his room for nearly a full day while Sophie lingered outside with a plate of pancakes. Come on, at least eat something.

By the evening, Thomas barged out, looking like hed just had a revelation. Get your coat, he told Sophie.
What on earth for?
Im marrying the first girl I meet who says yes.

Sophie tried to talk sense into him. You cant just use someone like that. Its not fair.
If you wont come with me, Ill go alone, he insisted.

So, off they went to the park, packed as always at that time of year. First girl he asked looked at him like hed lost the plot, another scuttled away, but the thirdcalm as you likeagreed.

And you are? he grinned.
Elizabeth, she replied.

Well, lets toast our engagement then! So they all trooped off to the Costa nearby. Slightly awkward, all three of themSophie at a loss, Thomas plotting his payback, stubbornly set on having his own wedding on the twenty-fifth.

Elizabeth finally broke the silence: So, whats the big reason you just proposed to a stranger? If this is a mad moment and you take it back, I won’t be offended.

No going back now. You said yes. Tomorrow we hand in our notice at the registry and meet your folks.

He winked. And drop the formalities, yeah? Call me Tom.

For the month before the big day, Tom and Elizabeth met daily, got to know each other, chatted about life. Elizabeth probed gently: Will you ever tell me the real reason for all this?
Tom dodged the question: Everyone has skeletons in their closet.
As long as they dont start rattling, she smiled.

And whyd you say yes?
Felt a bit like a princess in a fairy talefather marrying her off to the first man who asks. And those stories always end with happily ever after. Figured Id see if it works.

Truth was, Elizabeth herself hadnt had it easyher great love ended with heartbreak and some lost savings. But she’d learned to spot the wasters a mile off. What she wanted now was someone with substancea smart, steady bloke, someone you could rely on. And Thomas seemed exactly that. If hed been with a crowd of lads instead of his little sister, shed have kept walking, but seeing him take care of Sophie made her think twice.

So which princess are youSnow White, Sleeping Beauty, or the frog? Tom teased.
Kiss me and find out, she shot back.

But nothing happenednot a kiss, not even a cuddle.

Tom organised absolutely everything for the weddingElizabeth just had to pick from options he presented. He even chose her dress and veil himself, wanting her to look like a queen.
Youre going to be the most stunning bride, he kept repeating.

At the registry office, fate twisted the knife: they ran into Mary with her fiancé. Tom plonked a big smile on and offered his congratulationsBest of luck to you, hope you find all the happiness you want, even if you had to buy it! Lip quivering, Mary shot him a dirty look.

She checked out Elizabeth, taking in every inch of her. Tall, elegantnot just pretty, but really striking. Carried herself like proper royalty. Mary felt second-best, jealousy gnawing at her. She knew shed lost.

Tom turned back to Elizabeth, forced-calm: Alls good.
Its not too late, you know, Elizabeth whispered.
No turning back. Were seeing this through, he replied.

In the moment their vows were read, as he stared into Elizabeths sad, yet hopeful, blue eyes, Tom realised what he’d set in motion.
Ill make you happy, I promise, he said, and meant it.

So began married life. Sophie and Elizabeth quickly became best mates, balancing each other outSophies fiery side and Elizabeths knack for keeping everything running smoothly.

Elizabeth, turns out, was an ace accountant, knew all about taxes and numbers, and soon sorted out the shops finances. Within six months, they opened a second shop, then expanded into refurbishments, kitted out homes, and started hiring crews for decorating jobsthe business positively boomed.

Elizabeth had a way of suggesting brilliant ideas that Tom thought were his own. Life should have felt perfect, but Tom couldnt shake the emptiness. With Mary, everything had been a whirlwind. With Elizabeth, everything was calm, steady, and a bitwell, routine. Still, thanks to Elizabeth, they even started building detached houses and ended up living in a gorgeous place just outside London.

Funny thingsuccess made Tom think back to Mary even more. Bet she didnt reckon Id end up so well off. The car I drive now! Our house is practically a mansion! He couldnt stop wondering: What if…?

Elizabeth picked up on his mood. She tried her hardest, wanting to be truly loved, but you cant force feelingsespecially not someone elses. Still, she hoped that maybe, one day, her luck would turn.

Sophie noticed, too. Once she caught Tom scrolling through Marys Facebook. Youre at risk of losing more than you realise, she warned.
Stay out of it, Soph, Tom snapped.
She gave him a glare, eyes stormy. Elizabeth genuinely loves youstop mucking about!

But Tom couldnt help himself. He messaged Mary.

Turns out, things had gone downhill for her. Her husband had kicked her out. Shed never finished university, no proper job, living in a rented flat in Manchester.

Tom hesitated a few daysshould he visit? Fate did him no favoursElizabeth went off for a week to see her ill gran in the countryside. Temptation got the better of him, and he set off for Manchester.

He arrived high on nerves and nostalgia, heart pounding. But reality hit hard.

Mary flung herself at him the moment she saw him. Her smell had him recoilingshe clearly hadnt bothered showering. Embarrassed, he said, People are looking.
Not bothered! she laughed.

Short skirt, cheap make-up, awful perfumeshe was so cheap next to his elegant Elizabeth. Was she always like this? How did I never notice? he wondered, watching her knock back a pint of lager.

Give us some cash, Tom, Ill make it worth your while, Mary giggled, licking her lips.

He just wanted to get away. Sorry, Ive got stuff to do, he said, grabbing his coat.
Will I see you again?
Doubt it, he replied, signalling for the bill.

Let her have a few more drinksuse this, slipping a tidy £50 to the waiter.

He sped home, fuming at himself. You idiot, Sophie was right! Why did you bother? Or was it meant to happen?

Then, like a lightbulb flicking on, he realised: hed never called Elizabeth Lizzie or anything sweetshe was just his wife, the closest and dearest person he had.

He sat in the car, lost in thought about all the years theyd shared since the wedding, picturing Elizabeth’s luminous blue eyes, the way she ruffled his hair with her lovely, graceful fingers.

I promised Id make her happy, he remembered.

He started the car, taking a back road for the last few miles.

A week apart is too long. Couldnt even manage two days without you, he told Elizabeth as she came running out from her grans house to greet him.

Youre crackers, she laughed, tears in her eyes.

My Lizzie, my love, he whispered, and they both just melted, happier than they’d ever been.