My Groom Swapped Brides at the Altar So I Swapped Grooms in the Parking Lot Chapter 05

My Groom Swapped Brides at the Altar So I Swapped Grooms in the Parking Lot Chapter 05

I came downstairs alone.

Marcus and Cole swarmed me with eager smiles.

“Morning, Sloane! Breakfast is ready.”

“Brandon told us to take good care of you. Anything you need, just tell us.”

All smiles on the surface.

But not one of them mentioned why Brandon had not shown up on our wedding night.

They pretended the wedding photos plastered all over the walls did not exist.

They pretended I was supposed to stay this calm.

“I’m fine,” I said, not bothering to ask. I headed for the door. “I’m going out. My family is hosting a post-wedding brunch today.”

Cole started to say something.

Marcus tugged his sleeve and muttered, “There is that tradition. But Brandon is already heading to Delia’s family brunch today, isn’t he?”

“Shh. Keep it down.”

I heard them.

And just like they expected, I pretended I did not.

I walked out.

Behind me, I caught Cole calling Brandon on speaker.

“Brandon, your girl’s really something else. Spent her wedding night alone, doing the family brunch solo, not a single complaint. No wonder you’ve got such a way with women. Teach us your secret sometime.”

A low chuckle came through the speaker, carrying that trademark carelessness and smugness.

“You couldn’t pull it off.”

I let out a bitter laugh.

He was right.

Nobody could.

At sixteen, I won a math competition and got the chance to tutor him, the son of a factory owner.

Seven years with him.

It sounded like nothing when said quickly.

But day by day, it was thousands of nights of compromise, backing down, and convincing myself.

Everyone saw the understanding.

Nobody saw the tears I swallowed in the dark, the questions I typed and deleted, the times I choked back “we’re done” until it burned.

His way with women?

He bought it one inch at a time with my pride.

Of course nobody else could do it.

Because nobody else would grind herself into dust and still tell herself it was okay as long as she bloomed.

Marcus chimed in, “Well, since she’s fine, we’re heading out.”

Before they left, they tossed a casual order to the housekeeper, Martha.

“Take care of the missus. Any problems, call Mr. Astor.”

Martha went upstairs.

The second she pushed open the master bedroom door, her eyes went wide.

She fumbled for the phone and dialed Brandon Astor.

“Mr. Astor? Something’s wrong.”