Just those words told me Cody was like me,
born again.
But it didn’t matter, I wouldn’t make the same
mistakes this time.
“Is this a mistake? Didn’t you want to marry
Cody? How did it end up being Zack!”
Cody’s mom shook my arm, like I had to
change my mind.
“Tell the lawyer it’s a mistake!”
I shook my head, pulling away.
“There’s no mistake. I want Zack Stern.”
Cody grabbed his hair, yelling.
“Britney, you wanted to marry me since high
school! How could you change your mind! You
lied to me!”
I smiled and looked him in the eye.
“I never said I wanted you, how can I betray
you?
“But you were with Britney, before we were about to get married. Who betrayed who?”
He got a look of understanding and laughed.
“So you’re doing this to get back at me?
“I knew you loved me. You’d die for me, so you can’t let me go that easily.”
My hands tightened into fists. I remembered
getting stabbed by his mistress, and the pain of
it all came back.
“Don’t flatter yourself. I don’t love you
anymore.
“Still lying?” He sneered, “I suggest you fix this
now, while Grandpa is still here.”
He looked at Britney and said to me:
“I’ll try to be careful with Britney, so the media
doesn’t catch us.
“And I can give half the control of Stern Corporation to your brother Zack.
He looked at Zack, who hadn’t said a word.
“Zack’s like this anyway, it’s my job as his
brother to take care of him for the rest of his
life.”
Zack wheeled himself over to me and took my
hand.
“Cody, if Britney wants to marry me, I won’t let
her go.
“If Grandpa wants to give you the inheritance, I
won’t argue. I just want Britney.”
I felt warmth in my heart, and I squeezed Zack’s
hand, looking straight at Cody.
“I never wanted you.”
His face changed, shocked, then angry. He
pointed at Zack and shouted.
“Are you really going to marry a cripple?
Britney, are you trying to waste your life?”
“Enough!”
Grandpa slammed the table, scaring everyone.
He looked at Cody, ice in his eyes.
“Britney’s marrying your brother, and that’s
final.
“Watch your mouth! Don’t hang out with those
trashy people.”
He glared at Britney.
Britney was quiet, shaking.
Cody’s mom started to say something, but
Cody stopped her.
“Mom, you’re making things worse! Shut up!”
Grandpa looked at them, annoyed, then looked
at me and Zack, his face kind.
“I have to go. Have the wedding the way you
want it.
“Britney, I’ll find out who did this to you.
“Zack, Stern Corporation is yours. I’ll have the
public relations department announce this
tomorrow.”
He waved his hand, and the lawyers left.
Cody threatened Zack, “This isn’t over! I’ll get
what’s mine!”
He stormed out.
