He Chose Her At My Wedding

Chapter 4

He said nothing for a long moment. My heart sank. When I'd first found out he'd cheated, I had just thought people change.

But I'd never in a million years guessed he'd stoop this low, just to force me to beg him, to make me dependent on him.

I thought of my dad then. He had been unwell yesterday, but he still made call after call, his face tight with worry, though he tried not to show it in front of me. I was so angry I was shaking.

Jared saw how upset I was and moved to pull me into a hug. I stepped back sharply, my gaze boring into him. "My dad's company lost one project after another. Was that you?"

A mix of emotions crossed his face as he stared back at me. After a long beat, he nodded, unashamed. "Yeah."

I gaped at him. "Jared, have you lost your mind? What did my dad do wrong?!"

He reached for my hand, but I shook him off. I couldn't hold back my fury any longer, and I shoved him with every ounce of strength I had. "Answer me! What the hell did my dad do wrong? What did I do wrong?! You're the one who cheated! You're the one who betrayed me! What gives you the right to do this? How dare you?!"

Before he could get a word out, Leila stepped in front of him. "Gloria, it's just a couple of lousy projects! He can give your sad little company even better ones. What are you throwing a fit for?"

Because she had moved so abruptly, a few faint red marks were visible at the collar of her shirt. I stared at them, and all the strength drained out of me. It was just pathetic. Three years of thinking I'd found the love of my life, and what did any of it even amount to?

Jared saw that I had calmed down, and he finally spoke. "Gloria, I did this because I love you. I just want you to rely on me more. Can't you understand that? Sure, my method might have been a little off, but the investment I promised your dad is several times what he lost. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?"

I thought of the wedding again, and I laughed bitterly. "You love me? So your idea of love is letting Leila taunt me nonstop for three whole years? Letting her destroy the wedding I spent six months planning down to the last detail? Letting her trample my entire family's dignity in the dirt? Saying you love me to my face while you're screwing her behind my back? Jared, your love makes me sick."

I didn't want to argue with them anymore. I picked up my suitcase, opened the door, and was about to leave. But Leila hurried over and planted herself in front of me. "Gloria, who do you think you're fooling with this holier-than-thou act? I met Jared first. Since I was here first, you're the real homewrecker. I've put up with you and even watched you two go through with your wedding. What do you have to be upset about?"

Her words were so unreasonable that I could barely process them. "Leila, you're calling me the homewrecker? Have you lost your damn mind?"

She fished an ultrasound printout out of her bag and shoved it in my face. "I'm pregnant with Jared's baby. He just came with me to my prenatal appointment today. Go on, tell me. Who's the third wheel here?"

I turned to look at Jared, and he instinctively avoided my gaze. "Gloria, this was an accident. But since Leila is pregnant, I can't just leave her alone." He paused for a beat. "As long as you accept this kid, on top of the investment I promised your dad at the hospital, I'll throw in a few extra top-tier projects for him too. And I'll buy you a house to make up for it. Gloria, you're a smart girl. I know you'll see reason."

Before I could get a word out, a lazy voice came from behind me. "Gloria, slap him, and I'll give you my entire fortune."

I whipped around, and there stood Elliot, the man I hadn't seen in three years, right in front of me.