Chapter 4
Vance tried to yank me out of the pool, but I shoved him off hard. Faye instantly stepped in front of Vance, blurting out what everyone was thinking: “Elise, are you trying to make everyone apologize for it?“[]
The crowd started trashing me, calling me a drama queen, a hillbilly jerk who didn’t belong in their world. But I couldn’t care less about that crap. All I cared about was Grandma’s quilt.
I dropped to my knees and reached for the soaking wet, heavy quilt lying in the water. Vance freaked out, grabbing my arm: “Elise, you’re pregnant!“]
Faye’s eyes flickered with a hidden agenda–she pretended to help me lift the quilt from the pool. But sudden as hell, she yanked a corner of the quilt.]
me?”
“Elise, why’d you push me?
Before Faye finished, we both went tumbling into the pool. My belly smacked the edge, and the pain made me choke on water. But no one came to help.
When I finally struggled to the surface, everyone was crowded around sniffling Faye. Their eyes were full of hate when they looked at me.[]
“Brother… Can I leave the Lyon family? I’m scared Elise is going to kill me…‘
.“0
Vance’s face turned dark, and he yelled at me floating alone in the water: “Apologize to my sister!“]
His tone was the same as in the hundred arguments I’d had with Faye over the past six months. Vance had never, not for a second, treated me like family.
In that moment, it all felt pointless. “Vance, let’s break up.“[]
When I said it, Vance froze. It was a line we’d never crossed, even in our worst fights. Just as he started toward me, Faye cut in:[]
“Elise, are you using this baby to force my brother into submission? I suggest you stop upsetting him. The baby’s six months along–you can’t just get an abortion now, right?”
At the mention of the baby, the panic vanished from Vance’s face. He turned to me, eyes full of disappointment, like he saw me as some manipulative idiot.
“Think this through, then we’ll talk about the wedding.”
Without another glance at me–someone who couldn’t swim—he scooped up Faye and walked off. In a few minutes, the huge pool was empty except for me.]]
My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing, messages popping up:[]
[Elise, I’ve got everything ready for the wedding–all the details are exactly how you like!]]]
[Just say the word, and we can go get the marriage license right now!]]]
I wiped my tears and replied with a “K.“[]
A whole month went by after Vance left, and I didn’t hear a peep from him. He and Faye jet–setted around the world, throwing wedding parties everywhere. They held hands in European castles, hugged sweetly in traditional French vineyards.[]
Meanwhile, pics of me trying on wedding dresses got leaked all over Instagram. With Vance’s silen
[Whoa, 20 weddings! Vance must spoil Faye rotten! Congrats on your happy ending.]]
approval, hateful comments started pouring in:
[Hahaha, the real bride has been announced. Why does the mistress think she can try on dresses?
[Her dad must be dying of shame–she’s the type to chase after a guy like this!][]
clearly doesn’t want to marry her!]]
Vance probably thought I’d be like before–watching my belly grow, stressing out silently. He thought I’d finally, under pressure from my parents, I’d beg for his forgiveness and plead for my own wedding.
But I wasn’t playing that game anymore.[]
at
their lovey–dovey pics, feeling bitter and jealous. That
Right before the abortion, Vance must’ve sensed something, He called me like crazy, slurring his words from drinking, but his
“Elise, you’re the one who’s wrong–why you ignoring me?
arrogance hadn’t budged:[]
“You been crying in secret these past few days? Pregnant women are so damn stupid! Don’t worry, I didn’t want to tire pick one!
you
out, so Faye tested
all
the wedding details. Just
“I miss you… I set the wedding date. We’ll go through with it… Just text me back.“[]
I calmly hung up and let the anesthesia flow into my veins.]
