My Wedding Was His Family’s Biggest Lie Chapter 01

My Wedding Was His Family’s Biggest Lie Chapter 01

At the rehearsal dinner before our wedding, my future sister-in-law pulled out a toy lie detector and started stirring up trouble.

“Ethan, if you could only buy one luxury riverfront penthouse, whose name would you put it under? Claire’s or Vanessa’s?”

My fiance, Ethan Caldwell, placed his hand on the toy without hesitation. “My wife’s, obviously. Claire.”

The green light came on, and the entire family exchanged smiles.

Suddenly, a flood of red comments scrolled across my vision.

[That stupid lie detector is broken! Ethan just transferred their fully paid-off wedding condo to his ex-girlfriend, Vanessa Reed. He said she needed a river view to recover from her depression.]

[Exactly! His whole family is putting on an act to trick Claire into a sham marriage. The second the wedding is over tomorrow, Ethan plans to leave the country with Vanessa so she can get treatment!]

[Even his mother secretly bought Vanessa a bridal jewelry set worth tens of thousands of dollars. Claire only got that cheap imitation engagement ring ordered online!]

I looked down at the sparkling ring on my finger. The warmth in my heart turned to ice.

Following the clues in the red comments, I searched the hidden compartment of Ethan’s briefcase.

Inside, I found a newly signed deed transferring the condo.

Ethan was still in the other room, sending Vanessa a voice message.

“Claire’s easy to handle. Once we sign the marriage papers tomorrow and it’s a done deal, I’ll tell her I’m just letting you stay in the condo.”

I yanked the ring off and dropped it in the trash.

Tomorrow’s wedding? Whoever wants it can have it.

…

“Claire, why were you in the restroom for so long?”

Ethan’s younger sister, Chloe Caldwell, bounced over with a bright smile.

“Did the lie detector prove my brother loved you so much that you had to hide outside and cry?”

I stared at her innocent face, my stomach turning.

Touched?

I lowered my gaze.

The red comments were still scrolling across my vision.

[Ugh! Chloe deserves an Oscar. She knows that ring is a $9.99 cubic zirconia fake with free shipping!]

[The whole family deserves an Oscar. They’re doing all this to get their hands on Claire’s wedding money.]

[Ethan’s mother packed up all those expensive supplements Claire bought while she was in the restroom.]

I looked toward the woman sitting at the head of the table, Diane Caldwell.

She was watching me with a loving smile.

“Sit down and eat, Claire. Ethan’s always been a good kid. We’re just glad he found you.”

I forced a smile and sat.

“Is that so? I’d say I’m pretty lucky.”

Ethan immediately took my hand.

His palm was warm, and he looked at me as tenderly as he had every day for the past five years.

“Honey, tomorrow you’ll be the most beautiful bride in the world. I promise I’ll make you the happiest woman alive.”

I stared into his eyes.

I had loved that face for five years.

After college, I had helped him start his business. I had stayed beside him when he had nothing and worked countless nights with him until his company finally got off the ground.

I had always believed we were each other’s one and only.

But the red comments peeled back the truth, layer by layer.

[His acting is unbelievable! He just sent Vanessa a message promising to make her the happiest woman alive!]

[Run, Claire! This man is beyond disgusting!]

I pulled my hand free and took a sip of water. It was warm, but it sat in my chest like ice.

“Ethan, I’m tired. I think I’ll head back and rest.”

Ethan paused, then rose with me.

“All right. I’ll drive you. Mom, keep eating. I’m taking Claire back.”

Diane nodded repeatedly and reminded me, “Go ahead. Drive carefully.”

As I left the private room, I heard Chloe lower her voice behind me.

“Mom, did you hide the supplements? Don’t let her see them.”

I didn’t stop walking.