Chapter 2

I stopped in my tracks and looked at this woman, who had spent years nitpicking everything I did.

"You're quite well-informed, Mrs. Clark."

She sneered, folding her arms over her chest.

"Of course I am! Sean called me personally. Penny was rushed to the ER, and her condition is critical! The wedding had to be rescheduled!"

"As his fiancée, how can you be so unreasonable? Why are you making a scene and demanding to hold it today?"

"I'm unreasonable?"

I didn't get mad. I actually laughed out loud at the pure absurdity of it all.

"Sean abandoned his own wedding to hold another woman's hand, and I'm the one who's unreasonable?"

"Penny is sick! She has nobody to take care of her! Sean went as a good friend, what's wrong with that?"

She acted completely righteous, as if Sean leaving his bride at the altar to comfort his childhood friend was an act of saintly charity.

"And who on earth are you holding onto?"

She looked Julian up and down, her eyes dripping with disgust.

"What is this? Are you trying to humiliate Sean by parading another man around?"

The guests lingering outside began whispering among themselves.

Without a word, Julian shifted his broad frame, stepping in front of me to shield me from the prying eyes.

"Mrs. Clark, watch your mouth."

His tone was icy.

"Today is Chloe's and my wedding. It has nothing to do with Sean."

Mrs. Clark stared at him as if he had lost his mind.

"A wedding? Whose wedding?"

She snapped back to me. "Who do you think you're marrying?"

"If Sean didn't show up, did you really think I wouldn't get married?"

I stepped out from behind Julian and looked her dead in the eye.

"Sean canceled his part. I didn't cancel mine."

"You... you are completely out of your mind! Sean told you he was caring for Penny! Why are you so petty? A good wife knows when to be understanding!"

Spit flew from her lips, her manicured finger jabbing inches from my nose.

"You're just jealous! You're jealous because Penny is prettier than you, sweeter than you, and knows how to be vulnerable! Sean had no choice, why must you make such a big deal out of it?"

She pulled out her phone, desperate to call Sean to put me in my place.

"Don't get cocky. I'm calling Sean right this second to come put you in your place!"

The phone rang for a long time before someone finally picked up.

"Hello? Mom! I'm busy right now, Penny just fell asleep. Whatever it is, tell me later!"

Click.

He hung up.

Dead silence fell over the steps.

Mrs. Clark stood frozen with her phone in the air, her face turning an exquisite shade of purple.

This was the family I was supposed to marry into.

This was my so-called future mother-in-law.

"Did you hear that?" I asked quietly.

"Your precious son told you to mind your own business."

"This... this is definitely a misunderstanding!"

She still tried to save face, her voice faltering.

"Chloe, honey, look at what a mess this has become. Why don't we just reschedule? Wait until Sean comes back to explain everything..."

"No need."

I cut her off, giving her a radiant smile.

"Mrs. Clark, you should run along and take care of your golden boy. After all, taking care of Penny is such an important duty—they couldn't possibly manage without you."

With that, I looped my arm through Julian's and walked straight through the grand hotel doors without looking back.

Behind us, Mrs. Clark's furious screeches echoed down the street.

I couldn't care less.

Inside, the venue was stunning, draped in hundreds of white and pink roses.

While some guests looked bewildered, most quickly offered their warmest congratulations.

After all, everyone in our circle knew Julian Hayes outclassed Sean Clark in every single aspect—wealth, character, and status.

The music swelled.

Julian held my hand as we walked slowly down the aisle.

At the altar, the officiant was visibly nervous, clearing his throat before reciting the vows.

"Chloe Miller, do you take Julian Hayes to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death?"