Chapter 4

I didn't answer.

I only looked at him.

Lucas lowered his head.

"My mom hasn't been doing well.

"She recently had surgery, and recovery hasn't gone smoothly.

"Her only wish is to see me settled."

He sighed.

"You know she never approved of you because of your sense of direction.

"Now the money for the house is gone too.

"There's no chance she'll agree.

"She likes Brielle.

"And Brielle is willing to go through with the wedding."

"Lucas."

I stood.

My voice was flat.

"Who you marry has nothing to do with me.

"Get out.

"Neither my mother nor I want you here."

Lucas didn't move.

After a long silence, he spoke again.

"Everyone knows we were supposed to marry.

"If I suddenly marry your best friend, people are going to talk about Brielle.

"She's sensitive.

"She can't take that kind of gossip."

He took my hand.

"If you come to the wedding and publicly give us your blessing, nobody will say anything.

"Don't worry.

"The wedding is just for show.

"It's just to calm my mother down.

"Once she's recovered, I'll give you a much bigger wedding."

My hand moved before I thought about it.

The slap turned his face sideways.

"Get out.

"Get out! Now!"

Brielle rushed in.

Eyes red, she shoved me.

"Your mother is gone, so Lucas has to lose his mother too?

"How can you be this selfish?"

Lucas took Brielle's hand.

Whatever guilt had been on his face vanished.

"Brielle is better than you in every way.

"No wonder my mother loves her and never liked you.

"If you hadn't thrown a tantrum and broken up with me, none of this would've happened.

"If you hadn't gone to the police over a little money, your mother wouldn't have died either.

"At the end of the day, Nora, this is your fault."

My hands dropped to my sides.

They walked away together.

After Mom was cremated, I spent days sitting at home holding her photograph.

A week later, a mass invitation appeared on my phone.

[You are warmly invited to celebrate the wedding of Lucas Wentworth and Brielle Fontaine...]

Their engagement photo filled the screen.

I gripped the phone until my hand hurt.

Why did I have to lose everything while they walked straight into happiness?

Lucas.

Brielle.

Fine.

I'd bring a wedding gift.

The ceremony was three days away.

That was enough time.

On the wedding day, Lucas's mother, Diane Wentworth, stood at the hotel entrance greeting guests.

For a woman supposedly recovering from surgery, she looked remarkably healthy.

Her cheeks were rosy.

Her voice carried across the entire lobby.

I walked around her and entered the ballroom.

A guest beside me leaned closer.

"Are you here for the groom or the bride?

"This is some wedding."

I looked around.

A long aisle, fresh flowers everywhere, packed tables, and a line of luxury cars outside.

The Wentworth family had spared no expense.

Whether the wedding would end with the same dignity was another question.

I smiled.

"I'm one of the most important people in their story.

"And I brought them a very special gift."

The emcee began: the champagne tower, the rings, the vows.

When the ceremony reached its final stage, I stood.

Lucas saw me and froze.

Brielle's face changed immediately.

I walked onto the stage while whispers spread through the ballroom.

Lucas grabbed my arm and pulled me aside.

"Nora, what are you doing?"

I smiled.

"You asked me to come bless you.

"So I came."

Brielle stepped in quickly.

"Everyone, don't misunderstand.

"Nora is my best friend."

Our mutual friends sat together near the front.

Their eyes moved from her to Lucas to me.

I took the microphone from the emcee and stepped into the center of the stage.

"I came today with a wedding gift for the happy couple."

I turned toward the large screen behind us.

"Please watch."