Chapter 3

Melissa shoved past me and rushed into the room.

She immediately went to Lyle's side, steadying him with one hand while reaching for the baby's face with the other, her expression filled with concern.

"Lyle, why would you bring the baby out here? He's still so young. What if he gets sick?"

Lyle looked at me but said nothing.

Melissa followed his gaze, and the concern on her face vanished in an instant.

"Gordon, did you make him come here? You know how young that baby is. Why would you put him through all this?"

I laughed from sheer disbelief.

"Do you even realize that I'm the man your daughter is supposed to marry today? She had a baby with another man behind my back. Everyone knew about it, and somehow, nobody thought I deserved to know!"

Melissa gave me a cold laugh, completely unfazed by my anger.

"You're the one who pursued Alyssa for years and begged her to marry you. Our family never wanted this marriage in the first place.

"You don't come from money, you have no family connections, and you have nothing that puts you on Alyssa's level. What exactly makes you think you're good enough for her?

"I told Alyssa a long time ago that she should marry someone who actually belonged in her world, but she wouldn't listen. She let you hang on to her for years, and now look where that's gotten her."

I'd heard enough.

My fists tightened as I said bitterly, "Maybe I'm not good enough for your daughter, but at least I know how to keep my clothes on around someone else's partner. She cheated on me and had another man's baby. Is that how you raise—"

The slap came before I could finish speaking.

My head snapped to the side, and a sting spread across my cheek.

"Mom!"

Alyssa hurried toward us. "Stay out of this!"

Melissa jabbed a finger at me, her face flushed with anger. "Who do you think you are, talking to me in that tone?

"Let me tell you something, Gordon. If you hadn't spent the last eight years clinging to Alyssa and refusing to let her go, she wouldn't have wasted all this time carrying you along!"

I slowly turned back toward her, tasting blood where the inside of my lip had split.

Melissa sneered at the sight of me, almost as if she enjoyed seeing me humiliated.

"Lyle is a hundred times the man you are. He's hardworking, dependable, and he never forgets me on birthdays or holidays.

"I've wanted him as my son-in-law for years. He'd be an asset to this family. You, on the other hand, have brought Alyssa nothing but bad luck."

"Mrs. James, that's enough!"

Lyle rushed over and stopped in front of me.

His gaze landed on the blood at the corner of my mouth. His throat tightened visibly, and his hands curled into fists before slowly relaxing again.

"Gordon…"

His voice came out hoarse.

I didn't answer him.

Instead, I suddenly remembered something from years ago.

Back then, I'd gone to Lyle with red-rimmed eyes and told him how much Alyssa's family looked down on me. He'd gotten so angry on my behalf that he'd punched the couch.

"They're idiots if they can't see what a great guy you are! Even if you never marry Alyssa, there'd still be women lining up to be with you. She's the one who should be grateful you chose her!" Lyle had said.

The memory faded, and I stared at him, pulling the corners of my aching lips into a bitter smile.

"Are you happy now, Lyle?"

He shook his head frantically. "No, Gordon. I swear, I never wanted…"

I didn't bother listening to the rest. I turned and headed for the door.

"Gordon!"

Alyssa called after me, but I didn't bother turning around.

"Gordon, would you just listen to me?"

She hurried after me and grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop.

"You've known my mom for years. You know how she is. She says harsh things when she's angry, but she doesn't actually mean them. Can we please deal with all of this after the wedding? We have guests waiting downstairs. Don't ruin the day for everyone."

I shook her hand off and looked at her coldly.

"Alyssa, we've been together for eight years. In all that time, did you ever defend me once?"

She went quiet.

"If you'd stood up for me once, I could've convinced myself those eight years meant something. But you never did. Not once."

My voice had gone hoarse by the end.

Then, I turned away and walked out without a backward glance.