The Rival's Bride

Chapter 3

Ryan stared at me for a moment, then looked as though he'd just heard a childish joke.

"Grace, playing hard to get only works on the right man. It doesn't work on me."

I kept a tight grip on the seatback.

He gave a cold laugh, let go, and shoved both hands into his pockets.

"You're really going to do this?"

"Yes. Unless you cancel the wedding, don't expect me to do anything for you."

Ryan looked toward Ella.

After a moment, he said quietly, "Fine."

I got out and brushed past him.

As I did, he lowered his voice in warning. "If you're taking your anger out on Ella on purpose, don't blame me for leaving you here."

People from both convoys stood along the roadside as I walked toward the other car in my black wedding gown and heels.

Whispers followed me. Mocking smiles spread across their faces.

They laughed because I'd embarrassed my parents. They laughed because I looked like a joke, publicly abandoned on my own wedding day.

Inside a Mercedes-Benz SUV worth more than 10 million dollars, Ella sat in a white gown, so pure and elegant that she looked like the only rightful bride in this absurd spectacle.

She leaned back against the seat and extended one foot with a smile.

"Sorry to trouble you, Grace! We studied medicine together in college, and who would've thought I'd twist my ankle on my wedding day and end up being treated by an old classmate? I'm so lucky! Ryan, you'd better appreciate what a kind, helpful bride you have. If you ever bully her, I'll beat you up."

Ryan gazed at Ella, happiness written all over his face.

The sight of that smile made my eyes burn.

I crouched down and lifted Ella's foot to examine her injury.

"Ah!"

"Grace! What are you doing?"

Ryan yanked me away and cradled Ella's foot as though it were something precious and fragile.

I fell onto the asphalt, scraping my palm until it bled.

"Ella, Grace hadn't even done anything yet! What are you screaming for?" one of my bridesmaids snapped, pointing at her. Then she turned on Ryan. "And what's wrong with you? Treating an injury can hurt. She yelps once and you shove Grace to the ground like that?"

Ryan's chest rose and fell. He knew he was in the wrong, so he swallowed his anger and said nothing.

Then, reluctantly, he grabbed my shoulder and hauled me back to my feet.

"Sorry. I overreacted."

Ella stuck out her tongue with a playful smile.

"Sorry, Grace. You know how scared I am of pain. I really am sorry about that."

I didn't want to hear another fake apology. I only wanted to bandage her ankle and leave.

"Do you have ice? Gauze?"

"We have gauze, but no ice. Just frozen bottles of water."

"Bring everything."

Ryan looked uneasy when he saw how calm I was.

He tried several times to help, but each time I quietly moved out of his reach.

I dampened the gauze and wrapped it around Ella's swollen ankle.

"Ow."

Ella kicked me in the face.

I lost my balance and fell again.

"Sorry, Grace! I really didn't mean to do that this time."

I lowered my head, drew a deep breath, and moved away from the hand Ryan instinctively reached out to steady me.

"Ella, Grace has been crouching there for a long time. Stop making this harder for her."

Ella pouted and gave Ryan a playful look.

"I'll apologize for Ryan. Come on, I'll help you up."

I pushed her hand away, polite but distant.

"No, thank you."

I finished securing the bandage.

"There's no ice, so pour some ice water over the gauze every 30 minutes to reduce the swelling. Avoid strenuous activity, and don't stay on your feet too long."

Ella turned her bandaged ankle from side to side, inspected it, and said lightly, "That looks so ugly. Thanks, though."

Without looking back, I walked toward my own bridal car.

Ryan nudged one of the groomsmen with his shoulder and lowered his voice.

"See? I told you she was playing hard to get. Cancel the wedding? She only said that to get a reaction out of me."

"Ryan knows exactly how to handle Grace. She's wrapped around his finger."

"That's Grace for you. Give her an inch and she'll take a mile."

I said nothing.

I opened the car door, picked up my purse, and strode away with my two bridesmaids toward the man coming to get me.