Chapter 6
Faye had played him!]]
She’d never planned to jump in the river. Instead, she’d set up a wedding scene along the bank. Her friends teased: “Twenty–first wedding, right? Vance really spoils you!“]
Vance’s face fell. But Faye just grinned:
“You’re only stuck with Elise ‘cause of the baby. Now I’m giving you the perfect excuse–you got no reason not to marry me.”
As she spoke, she reached for the ring in Vance’s hand. He jerked his hand back, quick and sharp. Faye froze, surprise flashing in her eyes.]
The crowd went dead silent. Then whispers started:[
“Elise? The chick who slept her way into Vance’s bed as a mistress?“]
“No wonder. Some poor nobody can’t compare to Miss Faye…“]
But Vance’s cold stare shut them up. He took a deep breath and turned to leave.[]
“Where you going?” Faye snapped, grabbing his arm.]
To my own wedding.” Vance’s voice was calm, but his resolve was undeniable.]
“Vance!” Faye cocked her brow. “Mom and Dad are here!“]]
Vance finally noticed his parents. “Dad? Mom? You didn’t go to my wedding with Elise?”
His father looked confused: “Faye said you changed the venue to here.”
Faye pounced, throwing herself into Nora’s arms: “Mom, I really love my brother!” She nuzzled Nora’s shoulder like she did as a kid. “Can I marry him, please?“]]
Nora automatically patted Faye’s back, her brow furrowed with a mix of exasperation and indulgence. “But… what about Elise’s baby?“[]
“Tell her to get an abortion,” Faye said offhandedly. “I can have kids with Vance too. Why keep that woman’s kid?“[]
One of Faye’s bridesmaids laughed: “Hard to get an abortion though! Faye dragged the wedding out so long, even sent letters to Elise’s hometown insulting her. Her dad get so mad he fell sick, but she still didn’t abort.“]}]
Vance s blood ran cold.]
Last month, when I got up in the middle of the night to wipe my tears, I’d just said I had a bad dream.” I used to love hitting the farmers‘ market, but after that, I stopped coid, only letting groceries get delivered. Every time I filled out prenatal forms, I’d sigh and check “single mother.“[]
When Faye rejected her latest suitor last month, my disappointment was obvious–but I still comforted Vance gently: “Marriage is a big deal for a woman. It’s smart to meet more people before finding the right one.“[]
Vance clenched his fists. All those details he’d willfully ignored now stabbed at his heart like knives.[]
“Do any of you…” His voice was ice–cold. “Realize that’s a human life?”
Faye looked betrayed, tears welling up. She’d never seen Vance this pissed. He wasn’t the brother who always put her first, who spoiled her rotten. He was mad over another woman’s kid.
Nora quickly grabbed Vance’s arm, signaling him to stop. Ever since Faye found out she was adopted, she’d gotten more and more sensitive and paranoid. If things didn’t go her way, she’d lose it, saying she wasn’t as good as a biological Lyon. When she was ten, she’d tried jumping out a second–story window just ‘cause she couldn’t get a dress she wanted. After that, Nora was too scared to cross her.
Nora had spoiled Faye into a tantrum–throwing mess. She sighed, looking at Vance with a hint of resignation:[]
“Elise’s kid… If Faye won’t raise it, I’ll do it for you. But can you marry Faye? You two have such a good bond…“[]
Nora said it like this was the most reasonable, easiest solution.
Vance felt like he was suffocating.[]
