He Left Me at the Altar for His First Love, I Ruined Him Chapter 03

He Left Me at the Altar for His First Love, I Ruined Him Chapter 03

Stella’s knees gave out, and she sank into the chair.

“How could he do this to me?”

Tears were already wrecking her makeup.

“His family has looked down on me from day one. I bent over backward for all of them, and he does this? Today?”

Elias took her wrists and gently pulled her hands away from her face.

“Don’t cry. Take a breath.”

He dabbed at the smeared mascara under her eyes.

“What am I supposed to do?”

Stella grabbed Elias’s arm like he was the only steady thing left in the room.

“Everyone I know is out there. How am I supposed to show my face again?”

Elias squeezed her hand, his jaw set.

“I’ll fix this.”

He turned to me.

That look. Like it had already been decided. Like I’d say yes because I always had.

“Clara.”

“I need you to do something.”

“What?”

I looked at him.

“The guests are all out there waiting.”

He took a deep breath.

“You know the industry. Go talk to the venue coordinator and stall them.”

“I’ll handle Stella’s family.”

I didn’t move.

“Why am I handling this?”

“You know everyone in this industry. The vendors trust you.”

He was talking faster now.

“Stella’s falling apart. She can’t take any more right now.”

“And I can’t leave her like this.”

“I’m your fiancée, Elias.”

My voice stayed level.

“We’re supposed to be at City Hall this afternoon.”

Elias’s expression hardened.

“Clara, seriously? You’re keeping score right now?”

His voice dropped, low and sharp.

“Stella’s whole life is falling apart, and you won’t even help?”

“I’m not your wedding planner.”

I picked up my makeup case.

“My job here is done.”

I headed for the door.

“Stop right there!”

Elias caught up in two steps and grabbed my arm.

His grip was rough, his fingers digging into my skin.

“You’re really going to walk out right now?”

He stared at me.

“Don’t do this to me.”

“Let go.”

I looked at his hand.

“Elias, just let her go.”

Stella’s voice came from behind us, wet and shaky.

“Don’t fight because of me.”

“I’ll just…”

“I’d rather be dead.”

Elias dropped my arm and was back at her side in a heartbeat.

“Don’t say that. Don’t ever say that!”

He pulled her against his chest.

“I’m right here. Nothing’s going to happen to you. I won’t let it.”

I stood there rubbing the red marks on my wrist.

After a while, Stella lifted her face from his chest.

“I can’t let everyone see me like this. I won’t be the joke.”

She stared at me.

“Clara, could I… borrow your wedding dress?”

I froze.

That dress. I’d had it custom-made. Six months of fittings.

I’d just picked it up from the shop last night.

Elias said we’d go straight to photos after City Hall, so he’d already put it in his trunk.

Stella wiped her eyes.

“The wedding is ruined. I just want to put on something beautiful and take a few pictures. Something to remember.”

“Just so I can pretend…”

“Just so I can pretend I was a bride.”

Elias turned to me.

“Clara, isn’t your dress in the car?”

“Go get it. Let her wear it for a little while.”

“That’s my wedding dress.”

I looked at him.

Stella ducked her head, tears spilling over. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked. I’ve already embarrassed myself enough. I don’t want to make you two fight again.”

Elias’s whole body went rigid.

“Clara, it’s only a dress.”

I met his eyes.

“So no photos today. No City Hall. And now my wedding dress goes to her.”

“And I’m not allowed to say a word about any of it.”

A muscle jumped in Elias’s jaw.

“Stella’s not in a good place right now. Don’t pick a fight with her.”

“Answer me.”

My fingers tightened around my phone.

“Today, who matters more to you? Her or me?”

Elias didn’t answer right away.

When he finally spoke, his voice had gone flat.

“Right now, she needs me more than you do.”

I nodded.

“Okay.”

I reached into my makeup case and pulled out a rental contract.

“The dress retails for fifty-four thousand. Cleaning fee is eleven hundred. Any damage will be billed at full replacement cost.”

“Miss Croft, sign this.”

Stella’s smile died. She looked at Elias.

“Clara.” Elias’s voice was barely controlled. “Are you done?”

“Not yet.”

“She wants to wear my dress, she follows my rules.”

“No signature, no dress.”

Elias stared at me for a long beat. Then he snatched the pen and signed his own name on the contract.

“I’ll cover it.”

He slammed the pen down, pulled out his car keys, and tossed them to Stella’s cousin.

I stared at his signature.

Seven years ago, he’d signed an IOU with that same furious hand.