Chapter 4
If a single wedding dress could teach me everything I needed to know about someone’s character, then maybe I should consider myself lucky.
After all, I was finally seeing Simon for who he really was–no delusions left.
Tonight was the family dinner where I’d officially meet Daniel.
First impressions were everything, and I knew I had to look my best. I didn’t want to give anyone the chance to question me, especially not after everything that had gone down with Simon and Audrey.
I took a quick moment to freshen up and gave myself a little pep talk. When I felt ready, I headed down to the underground parking garage. And that’s when I noticed it -Simon’s Maserati, gently rocking back and forth in the distance.
Curiosity gnawed at me as I walked closer,
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but when I got close enough to see inside the half–open window, my stomach twisted. There they were–Simon and Audrey. She was sprawled across his lap, her eyes half–lidded as she moved up and
down.
Even though I already knew Simon didn’t love me, seeing it with my own eyes still hit like a punch to the chest.
For a brief moment, our eyes met. There was a flash of panic in his gaze, but it was gone in a second, quickly replaced by that smirk of his. To taunt me even more, he gently swept Audrey‘ s hair aside and kissed her deeply, his movements slow and exaggerated.
Audrey’s soft whimpers echoed in the garage, loud and calculated.
I turned away, trying to keep my face neutral, and climbed into my own car. I had more important things to focus on tonight.
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As I made my way to the Hughes family estate, I stopped by a store to grab a gift–a high–end silk tie for Daniel. When I
arrived, I was surprised to find Simon pulling up at the same time.
He stepped out of his car, and from where I stood, I could clearly see used condoms scattered across the passenger seat.
‘Real classy.’
For a moment, his expression flickered with something like embarrassment when he saw me holding the gift bag. But that passed quickly, replaced by his usual smug look.
“Bought me a gift?” he drawled, taking a step toward me. “Let me see it.”
I jerked the bag behind my back, pulling it out of his reach. “It’s not for you,” I said flatly.
Simon snorted, blowing out a cloud of smoke like I wasn’t even worth his time. “You saw what happened in the garage,
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right?” he said, his voice annoyingly casual. “I know you‘ re obsessed with me, but I’ve told you before–this wedding is yours, but the marriage certificate belongs to Audrey. She’s the one who’s being slighted here.”
He leaned in a little closer, his arrogance growing. “It’s perfectly normal for us to do what we just did. She’s my legal wife- to–be, after all. Oh, and our marital home? She’ll probably stop by once in a while for a night or two. You’ll have to get used to it eventually. It’s for your own good.”
I couldn’t believe the audacity of this
man.
Even though I’d already decided I wouldn’t marry him, I hadn’t expected him to be so shameless–so blatant in flaunting his infidelity right in front of me.
I turned to walk away, but, of course, he grabbed my arm again.
“Listen,” he said, his voice lowering,
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“My uncle will be at the dinner tonight. He’s important to the family, so this is a big deal. I’m giving you a lot of face by letting you come.”
I barely suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. “One more thing–if my grandfather and dad ask about the marriage license, just tell them we’ve already registered, alright? And about Audrey’s little injury this afternoon–you’ll need to apologize to her after dinner. Don’t forget. Until the wedding is official, I can still change my mind.”
With that, he strode into the Hughes family estate like he hadn‘ t just made a complete fool of himself.
I let out a long breath, gripping the gift bag in my hand.
‘Fine,‘ I told myself. ‘He‘ ll find out soon enough who I’m really marrying.’
Most of the Hughes family patriarchs were seated inside the dining hall. Daniel
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hadn’t arrived yet, so I quietly slipped into a seat far from Simon, deliberately leaving an open spot next to me for him.
Simon noticed immediately and frowned, a look of irritation crossing his face. Annoyed, he got up and moved to sit right
next to me.
“You‘ re getting more dramatic these days,” he muttered, eyeing the empty seat beside me. “There’s already a seat saved for you over there. Why are you trying to make a scene?”
I ignored him just as I was about to tell him that the seat wasn‘ t for him when a tall, commanding figure appeared at the
entrance.
Daniel entered the dining hall, his tailored designer suit fitting him perfectly. His strides were steady and confident, each movement radiating poise and dignity.
