His Friends, Her Friends, His Mother, All Lied To Her Face Chapter 02

His Friends, Her Friends, His Mother, All Lied To Her Face Chapter 02

For just a second, Ryan looked uncomfortable after I finished speaking.

Then he looked at me calmly, and somehow, there was a note of accusation in his voice.

“Do you have to make it sound so ugly?”

“What do you mean, I was going on dates with her? I was trying to help her get better.”

“Her depression has gotten worse lately, so I’ve been taking her out to get her mind off things.”

“We only kept it from you because we knew you’d be upset.”

The sheer absurdity of it left me speechless.

He had been going on dates with his ex-girlfriend behind my back, yet somehow I was the one making it sound ugly.

Ryan sighed and reached out to touch my face, as he always did.

“Come on, Claire. You’ve always been so understanding. We’re getting married soon. Once she’s better, you and I can go out every day. How does that sound?”

I tilted my head away from his hand.

Did he really think there was still a future for us?

I turned toward the bathroom.

“There won’t be.”

Ryan’s irritated voice followed me, as though I were the one being unreasonable.

“Claire, listen to yourself. Can’t you show a little compassion?”

I paused but didn’t look back.

When I came out after getting ready for bed, Ryan was on the phone. The woman on the other end was sobbing.

“Ryan, it’s so dark in here. I can’t sleep. I feel awful.”

Ryan shot to his feet.

“Don’t cry, Maya. I’m coming over right now. Wait for me.”

He hung up and looked at me.

“Maya’s shaken up after today. I’m going to check on her.”

My lips twisted into a bitter smile.

“Our wedding is a month away, and you’re going to another woman’s home in the middle of the night. Does that seem appropriate to you?”

He grabbed his keys and headed for the door.

“Claire, this is exactly why we kept it from you.”

“You always assume the worst about people.”

Ryan left and didn’t come home all night.

The next morning, after breakfast, I received a text from him.

Ryan: [Don’t forget your hair and makeup trial and dress fitting today. I’ll meet you at the boutique.]

When I arrived at the bridal boutique, my wedding gown had been tossed carelessly over a chair. Foundation was smeared along the neckline.

My best friend, Tessa Parker, was there too. She and Ryan stood around Maya, who was sitting in a chair while the three of them crowded around her phone, looking at photos.

They looked so comfortable together that it hurt to watch.

Tessa smiled brightly.

“Maya, you look incredible in that dress. Better than most actual brides.”

Ryan’s voice turned unbearably tender.

“It really does suit you. You look beautiful in it.”

A bridal consultant approached me awkwardly, her face full of apology.

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Ashton. We tried to stop Mr. Mercer, but he insisted that Ms. Collins be allowed to try on your custom gown. There was nothing we could do.”

I nodded without speaking.

My throat tightened until it felt impossible to swallow.

Tessa finally turned and saw me. The smile vanished from her face.

She hurried over, pulled me aside, and lowered her voice.

“Claire, Ryan told me you know everything.”

“Maya’s in a fragile state. She can’t handle any more stress. She only came along today to get out of the house and be around people.”

“You’ve always had people to rely on. You don’t know what it’s like to be completely alone and feel like you can’t keep going.”

“Don’t make a scene. Try to be the bigger person.”

I said nothing. I only lowered my eyes to the scar between my thumb and index finger.

Years ago, Tessa’s father, who had always favored sons over daughters, attacked her with a bottle. I stepped between them and took the blow for her, and the wound required three stitches.

After that, Tessa had always been the first person to stand in front of me whenever anything happened.

Now she stood on the other side, telling me I had everything and could never understand another woman’s pain.

Ryan called to me from across the room.

“Claire, come try on the dress.”

I pulled my hand free from Tessa’s grip.

“I’m not trying it on.”

Ryan frowned.

“It’s just a dress. What’s with the attitude now?”

“It’s dirty.”

Ryan froze.

Maya’s eyes filled instantly, and tears spilled down her cheeks.

“Ms. Ashton, this is my fault. I only wanted to wear a wedding dress once and take a few pictures.”

“I didn’t realize you found me that disgusting. I’m sorry.”

Tessa immediately stepped in front of her and glared at me.

“That’s enough, Claire. Maya already apologized. What more do you want from her?”

Only disappointment remained in Ryan’s eyes when he looked at me.

“Claire, can’t you show a little kindness? She’s sick. Why do you have to keep attacking her?”

I watched all of them close ranks around Maya, and suddenly, I laughed.

“Ryan, the wedding is off.”