He Turned Our Wedding Into a Bet So I Married Another Man Chapter 09

He Turned Our Wedding Into a Bet So I Married Another Man Chapter 09

The night before the wedding, I went back to my parents’ place.

I should have been panicking, but instead, I felt a strange, quiet calm settling in my chest.

My mom looked at me, her eyes glistening just a little, but her smile was wide and genuine.

“Honestly? The first time I met Grant, I knew he was solid. The way he looked at you-that was genuine care.”

I blinked.

“You forgot? The first time you brought him to dinner, he showed up with a bottle of good wine for us and asked if your dad’s cough had gotten better. The next day, he dropped off a jar of local honey and some

herbal tea.”

She went on, still smiling.

“And once I mentioned your stomach was sensitive. After that, every time he came over, he’d remind me to keep things light, no heavy sauces, nothing too rich. He even brought you ginger tea once.”

“Chase knew too, but he never paid that much attention.”

“Mom, you’ve known all along?” I asked softly.

She laughed and reached over to squeeze my hand. “Sweetheart, you were the only one who couldn’t see it.”

My dad chimed in.

“Exactly. Grant’s got his head on straight.”

“He’s in the jewelry thing with Chase, sure, but for him it’s just a hobby investment. He’s got a real career.”

“Pilot. Steady, reliable. That’s what matters in the long run.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Guess it’s true what they say-parents get more sentimental the closer it gets to the wedding. You’re already singing his praises and we’re not even married yet.

The house felt warm and full of easy laughter.

That night, I was in bed when my phone buzzed.

A message from Lena. No words, just a photo.

A hotel room Warm lamp light. An open box of condoms on the nightstand, half a glass of wine beside it.

Under the covers, a bare-chested man’s torso, a silhouette I knew too well.

It was Chase.

I stared at the picture and felt nothing. The numbness spread through me like ice water in my veins, too cold

to hurt anymore.

Then Grant called.

“Sleeping?”

“Not yet.”

“Nervous?”

“A little.”

He laughed low on the other end.

“Don’t be. Unless you’re backing out, I’ve got everything handled.”

“I’m in it to win it. No backing out.”

A two-second silence.

“What if he shows up?”

I knew he meant Chase.

“Doesn’t matter who comes.” I said. “Not even God himself is stopping this wedding.”

Grant pressed, his voice soft. “Is it that you just want a wedding, or that you want to marry me?”

“If Chase offered to be the groom tomorrow, would you take him?”

A flash of anger hit me.

“Grant, what do you take me for? Are you having second thoughts?”

His voice lost its playfulness and turned serious.

“Quinn.”

“Long as you don’t change your mind, I won’t-ever.”

My heart skipped a beat.