The Wedding Was a Trap

Chapter 3

Nathan's brows drew together.

"If you hadn't caused trouble yesterday, would Vanessa have drunk the wine and aggravated her stomach condition? It's only a bridal bouquet. I've already ordered you a bouquet of roses. Will that finally satisfy you?"

Vanessa spoke softly.

"Claire, don't misunderstand. Nathan and I were only fulfilling a promise we made when we were young."

I curled my lips into a mocking smile.

"Don't you ever get tired of doing this?"

Her eyes immediately reddened. Nathan pulled her behind him.

"Claire, why are you taking your anger out on her? She isn't feeling well."

I laughed until tears filled my eyes.

"So you let her wear my pajamas? Nathan Foster, what do you take me for? You're dating me while you're still tangled up with her."

His expression changed.

"Shut up! That's enough! Will you stop talking nonsense?"

Vanessa looked pitiful.

"Claire, I'm the one who's causing trouble. Don't blame Nathan. Blame me."

Nathan pulled her into his arms, and I suddenly felt ridiculous. I turned toward the door.

He blocked me and raised his voice.

"Claire, I told you she only stayed overnight. Do you have to make such a big deal out of it? We're getting married next Tuesday. The invitations have already gone out, and now you want to cancel?"

"Then we can tell everyone the wedding is off."

Vanessa sobbed until she nearly fainted.

"This is my fault. It's all my fault. Don't fight because of me. I'll leave right now and never come back."

She rushed toward the door and barreled into my shoulder. When I pitched forward, she reached for me, only to yank me violently toward the floor.

"Sorry. I panicked."

I hit the floor. A large gash opened across my knee, and blood poured from the wound. The pain left me speechless and drenched in cold sweat.

Nathan helped Vanessa to her feet first. She said, "Go check on Claire. I'm fine."

He reached down to help me, but I moved away.

"I don't need you."

His anger flared.

"What else do you want from Vanessa? Claire, can you be reasonable for once?"

Someone knocked at the door. Megan entered with several of our former classmates.

"Vanessa, is your stomach all right?"

Vanessa shook her head.

"I'm fine. It's an old problem."

Megan gave me a complicated look.

"Claire, you've really gone too far."

I froze.

Someone else fanned the air in front of her face in disgust.

"This is disgusting. The marital home might as well belong to Nathan and Vanessa."

They all gathered around Vanessa, while I became the villain. I looked at Nathan. His expression remained indifferent, as if the woman being condemned were a stranger instead of his fiancée.

My heart went cold.

"Nathan Foster, if you won't explain, then I will!"

"What's there to explain?" Megan sneered. "We all know you stole Vanessa's boyfriend. I can't believe I ever called you my best friend."

When Nathan pursued me, he had personally promised that he and Vanessa were no longer in contact. Yet I was still the other woman in everyone's eyes. The friends who had once smiled warmly at me now stood firmly against me.

Vanessa sat on the couch, the corner of her mouth curving upward. Nathan seized my wrist.

"Claire, stop making a scene. None of this is necessary."