The Day Another Woman Became the Bride Chapter 05

The Day Another Woman Became the Bride Chapter 05

I’d stared at the video thumbnail of my parents for a long time without daring to play it.

Now my hands shook as I pressed play.

At Aunt Caroline’s house, both my parents sat on the sofa with red-rimmed eyes.

Mom kept wiping away tears.

“Claire is so stubborn. We told her that man isn’t good for her.”

“Who goes out to have fun with another woman while his fiancée is having a miscarriage?”

“And then what? He waited in the snow all night, ended up in the hospital, made some empty vow, and she softened again.”

Dad gripped his teacup without speaking.

Mom nudged his arm.

“You were too harsh too, telling her you’d cut ties if she dared marry him.”

“Now look. Our daughter really left.”

Seeing the new streaks of white in my parents’ hair, tears rolled down my cheeks.

Dad stayed quiet for a long time.

He pulled a cashier’s check from an envelope and handed it to Sophie.

“Sophie, give this to Claire when you can.”

“This is seventy thousand dollars for Claire. At least she’ll have money of her own.”

All the emotions I’d held back for a day finally burst out.

I covered my face and cried until my throat was raw.

There was only one thought left in my mind.

I wanted to go home.

I didn’t bother packing neatly. I just shoved everything into my suitcase.

I couldn’t even wait for tomorrow morning’s Amtrak Northeast Regional. I booked a private car for over three hundred dollars.

The moment I closed the suitcase, Mason called.

“Why haven’t you replied to my iMessage?”

I didn’t answer.

He clicked his tongue and didn’t press me. His tone remained casual.

“We got a little carried away and messed up some of the banquet hall decorations.”

“I’d the hotel set up a private ceremony room. We’ll do our vows there.”

The main banquet hall was ten thousand square feet. The private ceremony room was one thousand.

The pretend bride got the grand ballroom. The real bride was pushed into the smaller ceremony room.

To Mason, it was as simple as switching parking spots.

But I was already beyond caring.

I answered flatly, “Okay.”

Surprised by my lack of complaint, Mason paused, then sounded relieved.

“That’s more like it.”

“The hotel is setting it up now. I also had someone make an identical wedding cake.”

His voice softened with a hint of tenderness.

“Claire, you’re about to become my wife.”

“The ceremony starts at nine. Make sure you’re on time.”

The call ended.

I slipped the diamond ring off my finger and left it on the hotel nightstand.

Then I climbed into the private car heading back to Providence.

Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Mason was still staring at his phone in disbelief.

Claire had actually agreed so easily.

He opened his contacts and checked again to make sure he’d called the right number.

Just then, someone threw herself onto his back and nearly knocked him forward.

Paige bounced over with a bright smile and clung to him.

“Did you explain everything to Claire? I accidentally made a mess of the banquet hall. She isn’t angry, is she?”

Mason steadied her and stroked her hair as naturally as ever.

“It’s fine. I’d the hotel prepare another banquet hall.”

“I’ll bring Claire there for the vows. You guys keep having fun here.”

Paige’s expression stiffened for a split second.

“She agreed?”

“Yeah.”

Mason called over a server and asked him to buy some tulips and use them to decorate the private ceremony room.

They were Claire’s favorite flowers.

Paige’s eyes flicked around. Then she raised her hand at once.