Chapter 4
Ryan eventually stormed off, apparently after getting a call from his family. Whatever they said made him leave in a hurry, but not before shooting me one last dirty look.
“Claire, just wait!”
Wait? As if. No one had time for his tantrums.
Thankfully, he and Amber didn’t cause any more drama in the days that followed.
And just like that, it was wedding day.
To avoid any traffic delays, Julian and I decided to head out early. Unfortunately, because the universe just loves irony, I ran into
Ryan and Amber when I was waiting for Julian at the entrance of the villa.
Ryan passed by me, caught a glimpse of me in full bridal attire with a caravan of vehicles trailing behind, and his face instantly
soured.
“Claire, what the hell is this? Trying to upstage Amber? I told you, we can still be together, but the wedding is only for her. What are you trying to pull by wearing that dress?”
I didn’t even respond.
Our family butler leaned in, cheerful and composed, handing them a pair of gift bags. “Today is Ms. Sullivan’s wedding day as well. Thought we’d spread a little joy.”
Ryan froze. “Her wedding?”
Then, he scoffed. “Yeah, right. As if she’d actually marry anyone but me. She’s probably here to crash it and doesn’t even have the guts to admit it.”
The butler wisely said nothing. He knew exactly why I was staying silent.
Ryan curiously opened the bag, revealing a solid gold bar and a Patek Philippe watch. His eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
“You’re handing these out as wedding favors?!” The shock on his face wasn’t fake.
Amber’s smile faltered immediately. She clung to his arm. “It’s okay, Ryan. Once my family business takes off, we’ll host something even more extravagant.”
Ryan forced a smile, tucking the gifts away like they were sacred relics. “Sure. I’ll wait for that.”
Just then, the butler approached me.
“Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Grant’s side is ready.”
I signaled him to make room for Julian’s cars, but Ryan’s entourage decided to block the path entirely. Clearly, he thought I was putting on a show and intended to watch the whole thing blow up.
Fine by me.
As Julian’s car convoy arrived, I noticed Ryan’s face start to tighten. I ignored him and adjusted my hair and veil.
A plush red carpet stretched from Julian’s lead car all the way to the front door.
Ryan and Amber whispered frantically a few feet away.
“Isn’t that… the Grant family crest? She’s marrying Julian?!”
“No way. The Grants wouldn’t go for her. Julian’s got a horrible reputation. She’d never agree to that.”
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Chapter 4
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Then, the car door opened and out stepped Julian Grant, tall and striking. Behind him, his assistants carefully lifted a massive antique European painting, the very one he’d lost to me in a bet and promised to gift.
Apparently, he remembered.
He smiled across the distance, and I instinctively reached for his arm as he approached. The movement was smooth, seamless, and it clearly rattled Ryan, who bolted forward.
“You’re actually marrying him? Julian Grant?!”
I raised an eyebrow. “What, not obvious enough? Ryan, I’ve answered whatever questions you had. Now, move. We’ve got a
ceremony to get to.”
He looked like someone had punched the air out of him. He reached out, trying to grab my hand, but I stepped away in time.
“Still haven’t kicked that bad habit of grabbing people, huh?”
Even Amber looked annoyed now. She tried pulling him back, but he shoved her off.
“Stay out of this!
“Claire, how can you marry someone else? We’ve known each other for twenty years! I was your fiance!”
So he remembered that part. Funny that he had no issue getting a marriage certificate with Amber, though. I guess none of that stopped him then.
I furrowed my brow, instinctively stepping in front of Julian, half afraid Ryan might snap and hurt someone. That must’ve stung.
“I get it, Claire. You’re mad. You want revenge. But marrying him? You’re throwing yourself into a fire! Julian’s a player. He treats women like tissues! You’ll ruin your life!”
“Watch your mouth,” I snapped, my eyes flicking to Julian. “Julian’s amazing, and what we have is none of your damn business. I’ve told you before, and this is the last time: we’re done. I’m married now. Stop messing with our lives.”
The word “married” hit him like a gut punch.
Ryan visibly swayed, his mouth opening like he wanted to argue more, but I’d already stepped into the car with Julian and disappeared into the celebration.
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