His Secret Wife Was My Best Friend Chapter 03

His Secret Wife Was My Best Friend Chapter 03 The Man Beneath
Gareth’s expression darkened. “Cecily Sutton. You’ve had me investigated.” She bit her lip and looked at him, unable to hide her disappointment. “When did it start with Daphne?” The question stirred no guilt or regret in him. He was simply irritated that the secret he’d kept for so long had been dragged into the open. “It was an accident. That’s all. “I got unlucky. She got pregnant right away, and her doctor said an abortion would be risky for her. I only married her to calm her down so she’d have the baby safely and keep this from turning into a mess. “She’s not like you, Cecily. Her parents value sons over daughters. They shut her out of everything. This baby is all she has. Can’t you give her a break?” An accident? Cecily had seen them having sex in his car again and again. Some of those recordings were from the days she’d been in the hospital with pneumonia. And Daphne wasn’t the only one who had a miserable home life. Cecily’s own family had hardly made things easy for her. She had simply kept those hurts to herself. When Cecily didn’t answer, Gareth continued as though none of this mattered. “It’s not a big deal. We can still go through with the celebration. It’s only for appearances. Once Daphne has the baby and the divorce is final, you and I can get legally married.” Cecily stared at him for a long moment before drawing a deep breath. “Gareth, let’s end this.” The room went still. His eyes widened. His back stiffened. When they had been caught in an avalanche during a mountain hike, Cecily hadn’t let go of his hand even with death so close. Now she wanted to walk away over Daphne? Anger rose in him. “How many men in our circle haven’t made a mistake like this? Do you think you’re the only decent woman in the world? The only one who can’t put up with anything? “Do you understand what breaking off the engagement now would mean? Both our families would be laughingstocks all over Northcote. Do you ever think about anyone but yourself? How can you be so selfish?” He sounded utterly convinced, as though Cecily were the one who had done something unforgivable. Yet he was the person who had inflicted every one of the wounds inside her. A bitter smile crossed her face. “I can’t keep doing this with you.” Even their happiest memories now held the shadow of Gareth and Daphne together. The thought made her shake. When she turned to leave, he seized her wrist and stared her down. “Call off this wedding now, and I won’t have to lift a finger. Your mother will destroy you. “You’d better think very carefully.” Cecily had already felt her mother’s hand across her face. She knew being innocent wouldn’t protect her. Gareth knew exactly where she was vulnerable, and exactly how to leave her with nowhere to turn. Her eyes blurred as she looked at the man she had loved, now unrecognizable to her. Stubbornly, she bit back her tears. His fingers tightened. A troubled ache spread through his chest. He softened his voice. “We’re going to your family’s exhibition tomorrow. Be good. Let’s stop fighting, all right?” He leaned in to kiss her, but Cecily pushed him away. “Sleep in another room.” She sounded distant, almost indifferent. Yet he could see something like disgust in her face. It pricked at him. “Fine, Cecily. Have it your way.” Gareth slammed the door behind him. He didn’t go to another bedroom. He left the house and went straight to Daphne. From the window, Cecily watched his Maybach disappear into the night and let out a silent breath. … The next evening, she put on a formal gown and arrived at the exhibition on time. Seeing her alone, her mother pulled her aside with a cold expression. “Are you still sulking at Gareth? Did you ignore every word I said yesterday? “Call him. Apologize, get on your knees, I don’t care. You will get him here. How does it look if our future son-in-law can’t even attend our family’s exhibition?” Her mother delivered the warning and went to join her friends. Cecily sighed, debating whether to call. Then she looked up and saw Gareth’s Maybach outside the venue. He stepped out looking impeccably composed, then helped Daphne from the car. She was wearing a couture gown. Noticing Cecily’s stunned stare, he suppressed a mocking smile and steered Daphne toward her. “You know her condition. She’s your responsibility tonight. If she gets so much as a scratch, you’ll answer to me.”