They Caught Her Flower for Someone Else, So I Kept the Groom Fate Gave Me Chapter 10

They Caught Her Flower for Someone Else, So I Kept the Groom Fate Gave Me Chapter 10

He was quiet for a few seconds.

The wind blew in from the yard, ruffling his collar.

“I don’t want you to choose him.”

His voice was soft, but clear.

I laughed.

The corner of my mouth curled up—even I was surprised.

“Funny,” I said. “I wasn’t planning to.”

Ethan ran back as fast as he could. He saw a black SUV turn off the main road at the edge of town.

He slowed for a moment, squinting to make out the license plate.

But the sun was too bright. The car kicked up a cloud of dust and vanished around the bend.

He didn’t waste another second. He bolted for the Meeting House.

Stumbled through the door and lunged toward the Maypole Goddess statue.

“Where is she?” He spun around, shouting. “Where is she?!”

The Elder Council Head frowned. “The ceremony is complete. The brides are waiting outside the Meeting House for their grooms.”

Ethan turned and ran back out.

—

Everyone in the yard turned to look at him. Someone called out with a laugh: “Here he comes! Finally here to pick up his bride!”

“Look at the groom—poor guy’s in a rush!”

Calla was wearing Haven’s wedding gown, her cheeks flushed pink, surrounded by a small crowd. When she heard the commotion, she looked up at him, her eyes bright.

But Ethan looked right past her. His gaze swept the yard once. Twice.

Nothing.

That bride wasn’t there.

He grabbed Landon’s arm. “Where’s the other one? The other bride?”

Landon blinked. “What other bride? Your bride is Calla. Why do you care about—”

Ethan let go before he could finish and grabbed an elderly townswoman by the arm. “Where’s the other bride?”

She flinched. “She was picked up right after the ceremony. Someone picked her up in a car…”

“Picked her up?” His voice cracked. “Who? Who the hell picked her up?”

No one answered.

Hunter stopped mid-bite into a handful of snacks. “Ethan? What’s wrong?”

But Ethan didn’t hear him. A cold chill ran through his whole body.

—

“Take me to Parker Payne’s house. That pariah bachelor’s place.”

Before Hunter could react, Harold stepped in front of him, his face dark.

“The ceremony’s not over. The bride is still waiting on the steps. Where do you think you’re going? Can’t whatever it is wait until later?”

Ethan stared at Harold’s face.

From the day of the Maypole Choosing until now, Harold had worried about Calla. Worried about Cora Tate. Worried about the reception. But not once had he asked about his own daughter.

“Your daughter—” Ethan’s voice came out ragged, clawing its way up his throat. “Your daughter was kneeling in there today too. She didn’t Reject the Match. Someone else did.”

Harold’s hand went still.

The noise in the yard dropped—like someone had cut the volume with a knife.

Hunter froze. Landon’s face went pale, inch by inch.

“Who?” Hunter finally managed. “What are you saying?”

“Haven didn’t Reject the Match!” Ethan’s words hit like stones, one by one. “That bride in there—that was her! Parker Payne picked her up. And not one of you saw a goddamn thing?!”

Hunter’s face went white. “She… how could she… she knows what kind of man Parker is…”

Landon swallowed hard. “She’d rather marry a pariah bachelor than

—

Reject the Match? Is that woman out of her mind?”

They exchanged a look—and bolted for the west side of town.