Chapter 5
The car sped off, leaving him shouting into the wind.
Back at the wedding, Stanley just stared at the diamond on his finger-
the same one he’d slipped on last night when Elodie begged for a proposal.
The idea of her marrying a guy with that kind of reputation made his stomach twist, but he still went through the motions.
Right as he moved to lift the veil, the bride ducked behind her bouquet.
She didn’t lower it until the vows, stepping toward him from the far side of the flower arch.
Bit by bit, her face came into focus.
“Stanley Hamilton, do you take Elodie Weston to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish her for as long as you
both shall live?”
The name hit him like a jolt.
Everyone waited for his “I do.”
Instead, he stood frozen, voice hollow. “How… How could it be you?”
Eyes red, he grabbed Elodie’s shoulders. “What is this? How did YOU end up as the bride?”
Tears brimmed in her eyes. She grabbed his hand and pressed it to her chest. “I begged Vivienne forever, and she finally said yes
to us. Stanley, I’m the one marrying you–aren’t you happy?”
Normally, one frown from her and he’d be tripping over an apology. This time, he stayed quiet.
His chest rose and fell hard, his mind stuck on that reflection in the car window and Vivienne acting off all week.
She’d loved him so much–how could she just hand off their wedding?
Marrying a guy with that kind of reputation… she must’ve felt cornered.
He didn’t let his mind go there. No clue why the pain in his chest cut so deep.
He shoved Elodie away and staggered out of the wedding.
Stanley’s hands trembled on the wheel as he tore back to the Weston house.
He burst into Vivienne’s room–empty, like she’d never been there.
“Vivienne! Get out here! What is this? You love me–how could you marry someone else?”
Nothing.
1/2
Chapter 5
Clutching his chest, he yanked open the closet. A big suitcase sat inside.
Everything he’d ever given her was packed away.
Even her favorite heels.
At the bottom, a crumpled betrothal agreement–Vivienne’s name scratched out, Elodie’s written in.
Stanley slumped against the wall, sliding to the floor.
He took a steadying breath and grabbed his phone. “Book me the first flight to Northvale.”
***
+25 Bonus
The plane landed in Northvale way past dark.
I stepped off, wedding dress trailing like a bad decision, and spotted him right away–tall, sharp, unmistakable. Ciel Clementine, head of the Clementine family. My brand–new husband.
People said he was a shark in business and a monster at home. The kind who left gold diggers cracked and hollow. Elodie lasted a
year before she spiraled and jumped.
A chill slid down my spine as I stopped in front of him. His eyes dropped to the dress, brow ticking up.
“I’m Vivienne Weston, I-”
He didn’t bother listening. Just flicked his fingers at his butler and walked off.
Not interesting at all
