My Groom Swapped Brides at the Altar So I Swapped Grooms in the Parking Lot Chapter 08

My Groom Swapped Brides at the Altar So I Swapped Grooms in the Parking Lot Chapter 08

No.

Wrong size.

Wrong brand.

Not his.

“Martha!”

Brar don shouted down the hallway.

The housekeeper hurried over, apron still tied on.

“Yes, sir? What’s wrong?”

“What is this?”

Martha leaned in to look at the trash can and flinched.

“I don’t know. I already cleaned everything up. Could someone have come in while I was out getting groceries?”

Someone came in.

“Cole and Marcus messing around here?”

It was possible.

They had used the cottage before the wedding.

He slowly unclenched his fist.

“Alright. You can leave.”

He waved her off.

Martha let out a relieved breath.

Before she backed out, her lips parted.

“Sir, actually, last night…”

“Brandon.”

The door swung open.

Delia walked in, eyes rimmed with red.

Martha swallowed whatever she had been about to say, ducked her head, and slipped out.

“What are you doing here?” Brandon’s voice carried a flicker of irritation.

Even if he had gone along with marrying her, this was not her place.

Sloane might be obedient, but if she saw Delia here, she would start asking questions.

Then all those years of playing “enemies” would have been for nothing.

“I just wanted to apologize to Sloane.” Delia bit her lip. “She must think I stole her wedding. Stole you from

her. I feel awful.”

Brandon looked at her, so fragile and pitiful, and sighed.

“Not your fault. The car arrangements got screwed up.’

“But…” Delia’s voice went lower. “I’m scared she hates me. I should apologize to her in person. She’s got a good heart. She’ll forgive me.”

Brandon looked down at her, and something soft stirred in his chest.

That was Delia.

Even when she was the one getting hurt, she thought of others first.

He could not trust a woman like that with just anyone.

Now they were married.

He would not have to waste time sabotaging her relationships anymore.

She should understand by now that no one in the world could protect her like he could.

As for Sloane, she could be upset for a few days.

He would make it up to her later.

He left her a note.

[Got the roses? I saw your uncle’s card on the board. I know you put it there for me to see. I’ll pick you up tomorrow. Spend tonight with your family.]

Delia kept him tied up until the next evening before Brandon finally had a moment to check the note on his

desk.

Still nothing from Sloane.

A strange unease crept up on him.

No matter how late it was, no tatter how angry she had been, she always replied with [Okay.] or [Alright.]

He remembered saying he would pick her up yesterday.

But something had come tap.

He wondered if she had been waiting, if she was angry now.

No help for it.

The annual Claremont Business Summit had been moved up.

This year’s host was Marshall Trading Group, and half the business elite in the country would be there.

He had to show.

And honestly, he needed a breather too.

Sloane’s silence, no tears, no tantrums, threw him off.

He needed time to figure out how to handle her when they met.

He sent word through someone else.

[Might be tied up tonight. I’ll come get you tomorrow. Stay another day with your uncle.]

Still no reply.

Brandon felt an unfamiliar twinge of guilt.

He had said “tomorrow” so many times.

Broken that promise just as many.

She had never minded before.

Or maybe he had simply never cared whether she did.

That was the best thing about compliant women.

But this time…

Something gnawed at him.

He took a deep breath.

A smart, understanding woman knew what mattered and what did not.

Everything else could wait until tonight was over.