He Said He’d Marry Her, So I Married Someone Else Chapter 07

He Said He’d Marry Her, So I Married Someone Else Chapter 07

The group followed Ethan out of the garden.

They had just reached the edge of the lawn when Brooke called out softly.

“Ethan.”

Brooke was wearing an ivory satin gown, making her look delicately beautiful.

Her hair was swept into an intricate low bun, her makeup elegant and understated.

The engagement ceremony was set for six.

There were still several hours to go.

Brooke was a bundle of nerves, but she let none of it show on her face.

“What are you doing over here?” Ethan asked, stopping.

His gaze softened as he looked at her.

Brooke was beautiful.

The kind of beautiful that made a man want to protect her.

So different from Ava’s willfulness.

Brooke’s background—a single mother, waiting tables to get through school—had given her a certain timidness.

She always spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

When Ethan met her, Ava had been one long headache.

He had been easily drawn to Brooke’s quiet grace.

More importantly, he had met her in a classic damsel-in-distress rescue, unlike the other women who had thrown themselves at him.

She had been leaving the restaurant where she worked when a few homeless guys started harassing her.

He happened to be passing by and stepped in.

Men were suckers for that kind of thing.

So what he felt for Brooke was different from the casual flings he’d had before.

“I heard Ava came back…”

Before Brooke could finish, her eyes reddened.

“I’m a little scared.”

She bit her lip and looked down.

“Ethan, are we still going to get engaged today?”

“Don’t overthink it.”

He put his hands on her shoulders and gave them a light squeeze.

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”

But Brooke grabbed his sleeve.

“Ethan, I’m really scared.”

“I’m afraid you’ll leave with her…”

Tears streamed down her face.

She was so slender, so fragile, it would have been impossible for anyone to say a harsh word to her.

“Why would that happen? My brother doesn’t even like Ava,” Claire said, a smug smile on her face.

“She’s a spoiled brat. Cries and throws a fit over nothing. My brother’s been sick of her for years. Why would he ever leave with her?”

She really couldn’t stand Ava.

Ever since the Whitmores had adopted her, Uncle and Aunt Whitmore, who used to dote on Claire, had always put Ava first.

They always said that since Ava was their adopted daughter, they had to treat her twice as well.

Claire still hated her for it.

Over the years, her favorite pastime had become watching Ava humiliate herself.

Now Ava had been shipped off to school in Chicago, and barely anyone from the family had seen her off.

Half a month ago, her luggage had been packed and sent ahead of her.

It was as if they were afraid she’d refuse to go.

Claire couldn’t be more thrilled.

Anyone could be her sister-in-law.

Anyone but Ava.