He Had Time for Everything but Me Chapter 03

He Had Time for Everything but Me Chapter 03

My mother’s expression changed the moment she saw me.

“Did you come here to cause trouble?”

“Vanessa grew up without parents and has struggled her whole life. Now that she finally has a chance to marry well, why can’t you just step aside?”

“Yes, she took your boyfriend, but you two weren’t married. How is that stealing? He gets to marry whoever wins his heart. We’re all family now, so leave before you ruin Vanessa’s special day.”

My boyfriend had betrayed me.

My best friend had stabbed me in the back.

And my own parents had hidden everything from me.

Every word cut into me, and the pain spread through my entire body.

“Mom…” I fought back my tears, trying to demand an explanation, but anger tightened my throat, and all that came out was a sob. “Why? I’m your daughter.”

She ignored my pain and replied coldly, “I’ll explain everything later. You need to leave right now!”

She grabbed me and started dragging me toward the exit.

I wrenched my arm out of her grip.

Before I could speak, Grant stepped in front of me, blocking my view.

Guilt was written all over his face as he approached and took my hand. “Claire, let me explain everything when we get home, okay?”

I didn’t move. Tears blurred my vision.

Too stubborn to let him see me cry, I lowered my head and asked, “Why?”

He gently wiped away my tears and pulled me into his arms.

“I’m sorry. This was all my fault.”

“Vanessa is your best friend. She grew up without parents and never knew what it was like to have a family.”

“She just wanted to know what it was like to have a wedding of her own. I was afraid you’d misunderstand if I told you.”

“Come on. It was just a formality. If you want, you and I can get married later. There are too many people watching, so leave now and go ahead with the IVF.”

Nausea churned in my stomach, and I shoved him away.

Suddenly, everything about him disgusted me.

“You were afraid I’d misunderstand?” I laughed bitterly. “I spent an entire year looking forward to our wedding, and you called it a waste of time.”

“But for this wedding with Vanessa, you turned down an important client, postponed six months’ worth of meetings, and planned a honeymoon.”

“Was all of that just a formality too?”

Grant froze.

Impatience flickered in his eyes, then quickly vanished.

“Claire, please. You’re the only one I love. I’ll come over tonight and explain everything, okay?”

My mother pulled me away from him. “That’s enough.”

Grant’s friends still thought I knew nothing about his relationship with Vanessa, so they rushed to their defense.

“Come on, Claire. That’s enough. We only came to help out.”

“Vanessa just wanted to know what it felt like to have a wedding. Don’t ruin this for her, okay?”

Vanessa walked over, her eyes immediately filling with tears. “This is all my fault. I’ll give you your wedding back right now.”

Then she ran out.

Grant frowned and hurried after her.

My mother forced me into her car and drove me home.

I began packing my belongings, dry-heaving as I worked.

By the time darkness settled outside, despair had swallowed me whole.

Even the house seemed to have a faint, nauseating smell.

I didn’t want this home anymore.

I didn’t want Grant either.

And I didn’t want parents who didn’t love me.