His fingers trembled as he double checked.
“This came directly from the Hayes family?”
The housekeeper nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Garrett swallowed nervously, his face pale.
“Why is the bride Rylee Winters? Is it someone with the same name?”
The housekeeper looked equally confused. “It must be someone else. The Hayes family apparently values this daughter–in–law greatly.”
“Mrs. Montgomery’s background…”
Hearing the housekeeper’s words, Garrett immediately relaxed.
“Yes, it can’t be my Rylee.”
The Hayes family were Boston royalty, and Rylee’s background would never measure up to their standards.
He tossed the invitation back to the housekeeper. “Prepare an appropriate gift. The Hayes family deserves proper respect.”
I ran my fingers over the gold–embossed invitation while Julian busied himself with wedding preparations.
My thoughts drifted back to childhood, when the Hayes family relocated. Back then, I was just six, crying as I chased their car down the street, calling out: “Julian! Julian!”
After running for what felt like forever, Julian got out and came back for me.
He carried me home, comforting me the whole way. “Be good, Rylee. I’ll come back for you someday. Wait for me, okay?”
That same year, my father took a mistress behind my mother’s back
He barely came home anymore, consumed by his affair.
He even forced my mother to divorce him and threw us both out.
That day, we became the laughingstock of our entire social circle.
My mother had defied her parents to marry him, cutting ties with her family in the process.
After being thrown out, she couldn’t even return to her childhood home.
She raised me alone, struggling financially.
Then at eighteen, I met Garrett. He insisted on having my mother as his piano teacher.
After that, our lives improved somewhat.
My mother’s health deteriorated from my father’s betrayal and life’s hardships. Garrett ran himself ragged for us, even bringing in international teams to develop special medication for her.
For a long time, 1 kept my feelings for Garrett hidden, afraid to accept his affection
He pursued me relentlessly for three years before I finally said yes.
When I agreed, he lifted me up and spun me around, as excited as a child.
11:20
60.0%
Chapter 7
“Knock knock
The makeup artist entered. “Ms. Winters, it’s time to change into your wedding dress”
As I put on the gown, a butterfly landed on my shoulder.
Tears immediately welled in
eyes “Mom? Is that you?”
Just then, Julian appeared behind me, gently taking my hand. “It’s your mom. She came specially to bless us.”
Then he sincerely addressed the butterfly: “Mom, I promise I’ll take good care of Rylee.”
After he spoke, the butterfly circled us several times before flying out the window.
I watched it disappear with tear filled eyes.
Julian patted my shoulder:
“You’ve ruined your makeup. You look like a raccoon. Let the artist fix it–the guests are arriving.”
My voice trembled. “Did he come?”
Julian’s expression darkened, then he nodded.
He hesitated:
“Rylee.”
I cut him off.
“Julian, I need to settle this score myself.”
He smiled in understanding. “I know. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
The moment I entered on Julian’s arm, Garrett shot to his feet in the guest section.
“Rylee! How is this possible?”
He rushed over, trying to grab my hand. “You’re MY wife! How can you marry someone else? Is he forcing you? Come with me!”
I laughed softly, pulling my hand away.
“Mr. Montgomery, it’s been a while.”
Garrett’s eyes widened. “What did you call me?”
I smiled, repeating: “Mr. Montgomery.”
could speak, I taunted him: “Mr. Montgomery, newly married to your twin prizes, yet you found time in your busy schedule to attend my to Julian I’m flattered.”
Julian stepped in front of me. “Please step aside, Mr. Montgomery. Our ceremony is about to begin.”
Julian’s security quickly escorted Garrett back to his seat
Garrett kept staring at me, calling out “Kylee! Rylee, we were just fake divorcing How could you marry someone else?”
I scoffed “Weren’t you the one who signed our divorce papers?”
“I’m sure you’ve received the certificate by now. Whatever we had is long over. The only relationship we have left is one of vengeance,”
“Garrett Montgomery, don’t be so arrogant. Did you think I couldn’t marry anyone but you?”
11.20
