The Same Wedding Dress, Two Different Brides Chapter 03

The Same Wedding Dress, Two Different Brides Chapter 03

“Have you no shame? My daughter’s not even here, and you show up pregnant and walk into his home like you belong here? What the hell are you trying to pull?”

“You’ve been chasing Elliot for years, throwing yourself at a man who’s taken. He’s about to marry my daughter, and you still won’t leave him alone. How low can you sink?”

I stood frozen, trembling.

“I…” My voice came out hoarse.

I wanted to tell them this was my home.

I wanted to tell them Elliot and I had been together for seven years, and I had never been the one chasing him.

Then a slap cracked across my face.

My head snapped to the side, and my ear rang.

Vivian’s mother still had her hand raised.

“Your parents clearly never taught you any decency. Maybe this will.”

Elliot came out of the bedroom at the sound of the commotion.

He flinched when he saw the mark on my face.

I looked at him, clinging to one last foolish hope.

For once, I wanted him to tell them the truth for me.

Instead, after a moment of silence, he looked away, just as he had countless times before.

At that point, even disappointment felt like wasted effort.

I lifted my head and faced Vivian’s parents, who kept calling me a homewrecker.

Every word came out clear.

“I’d never stoop to breaking up someone else’s relationship. The one who came between us is your daugh—”

Before I could finish, Elliot shoved me hard.

I stumbled backward. My stomach slammed into the corner of the entryway console, and my back hit the doorframe before I finally regained my balance.

The room went silent.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Cramps twisted through my lower abdomen, and I broke out in a cold sweat.

Elliot went pale.

He started toward me as if he meant to help, then stopped when he caught Vivian’s parents watching him.

In the end, he said, “Elena, have some self-respect. Stop harassing me.”

“I’m engaged. We’re getting married soon.”

With a few casual words, he made me the homewrecker all over again.

Vivian’s mother glared at me, calling me a “shameless homewrecker” and a “slut.”

Vivian’s father looked down at my stomach, his expression hard.

“Elliot, tell me the truth. Is that baby yours?”

Elliot’s hands curled into fists, then loosened again.

Finally, he said, “No.”

A disbelieving laugh escaped me.

Seven years of patience and understanding had taught Elliot that he could hurt me without consequence.

Vivian heard the commotion downstairs and came rushing up.

When she saw how upset her parents were, she hurried over to calm them down.

“Mom, Dad, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

Vivian’s mother was about to answer when she noticed the engagement ring Vivian had mentioned before wasn’t on her hand.

Her gaze moved past Vivian and landed on my finger.

Without warning, she slapped me again.

“Why are you wearing my daughter’s engagement ring?”

I tasted blood.

Vivian’s mother turned on Elliot, demanding an explanation.

His whole face tightened.

He looked at me, conflicted, reluctant, and pained.

But when he finally spoke, he accused me instead.

“Elena, have you really sunk to stealing from her?”

Vivian glanced at her parents as if she were worried they might not believe her.

Then she said, “First you wouldn’t leave Elliot alone, and now you’re stealing my ring? Do you have any self-respect left?”

She held out her hand.

“Give it back.”

I pressed a hand against my cramping stomach and forced myself upright.