Chapter 3

Avery Winters

I took the glass from Claire’s hand, and she frowned.

“What are you doing?” she asked, looking stunned.

Not just her— everyone standing around us, including my brother, stared at me in confusion.

“I’m sorry, but you can’t drink this,” I said firmly.

“Avery, what… are you… doing?” Nathan asked through gritted teeth.

“The question should be directed at her,” I replied, pointing at Amelia before handing the glass to her.

“What’s the meaning of this nonsense?” She asked, her expression remaining surprisingly calm.

“Avery, stop this nonsense. This is someone’s wedding, for goodness’ sake,” Sarah said.

“I know that. But I just saw her adding something to this drink.”

“What?!” everyone exclaimed.

“I think it would be best if you asked her to drink it instead.”

Amelia let out a scoff.

“Are you accusing me of trying to poison my brother’s wife?”

“If that’s not the case, then prove it. Just take a sip,” I said with a shrug, never taking my eyes off her.

“I think I made a mistake inviting you here,” Nathan said in disappointment. “You know what? You’re leaving.”

He grabbed my arm to drag me away, but before he could, a strong yet warm hand gently caught my other arm.

I turned and found Alexander staring deeply into my eyes.

My heart fluttered at our closeness, and at the intensity of his gaze.

What’s wrong with me? Why am I suddenly feeling this way whenever he’s near?

“I think it would be best if you drink it, just as she suggested,” Alexander said calmly.

“Alex!” Sarah exclaimed.

He simply raised a finger, silencing her.

“It’s disappointing that none of you believed your own sister,” he said, looking at Nathan and Sarah with obvious disappointment.

“She’s telling the truth. I also saw Amelia adding something to the drink. The real question is: what did she put in it? Better yet, she can drink it herself and clear her name.”

He slipped both hands into his pockets, his expression cold and unreadable.

Amelia’s hand trembled as she stared at the glass.

“Go on,” Alexander urged. “Take a sip.”

The rest of us watched silently.

“You people are sick for trying to frame me!” Amelia snapped.

“Then prove us wrong,” I replied. “Go ahead. Drink it.”

Instead, she suddenly smashed the glass onto the floor.

It shattered into countless pieces.

I sighed.

Her reckless outburst immediately drew the attention of the wedding guests.

“So this is your proof?” I asked calmly, despite the anger boiling inside me. “You were trying to kill your own brother’s wife?”

I honestly didn’t know why I kept running into betrayal people.

Yesterday, I caught my boyfriend cheating with my best friend.

Today, a sister was trying to kill her own brother’s wife.

“I’m out of here!” Amelia hissed, attempting to leave.

Before she could take another step, David moved in front of her, his face dark with fury.

“You have two choices,” he said coldly. “Tell me why you tried to kill my wife… or I’ll make you.”

Amelia suddenly burst into a loud, unsettling laughter.

“Did you just call her your wife?” she screamed. “No! She’s not your wife. I am your wife. Only I deserve to be called your wife!”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung to him desperately.

Before anyone could react, a sharp slap echoed through the hall.

It was her mother.

“M-Mom…” Amelia whispered, holding her burning cheek.

“You’re a disgrace to this family!” her mother shouted. “What do you think you’re doing? How could you behave like this on your brother’s wedding day?”

“He’s not my brother!” Amelia screamed.

“David isn’t my brother! You told me that, Mom!”

“What?!” David gasped.

The entire hall fell silent.

Even the guests began whispering among themselves.

At this rate, this scandal would be all over the news by tomorrow morning.

What have I done?- I mentally scolded myself as guilt immediately washed over me.

Was exposing her really the right thing to do?

“Yes, David…” Amelia cried. “I’ve always loved you.”

“You’ve always been the best brother anyone could ask for. You treated me with so much love and care. I kept wishing i would meet a man just like you. Then one day… Mom told me you weren’t really part of this family. She said you were adopted. She hated that Dad planned to leave everything to you, so she wanted me to help her take it all back.”

“I didn’t want to follow her plan because… because I love you. I wanted to marry you instead. You don’t need another woman. I can take care of you. I can be the perfect wife for you.”

She tightly clutched his arm as she pleaded.

Oh my goodness… Did I just destroy an entire family simply because I stopped someone from drinking a suspicious drink?

“Mom…” David whispered, his eyes fixed on her.

“Tell me she’s lying.”

She lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes.

“ANSWER ME!”

His furious roar echoed throughout the hall.

“Is… this… true?”

“Son… please… I can explain. It’s not what you think—”

He walked away before she could finish her sentence.

His wife and the rest of his family hurried after him.

Meanwhile, the guests continued whispering, each person coming up with their own version of the story without knowing the full truth.

Did I really destroy a happy family?

The thought weighed heavily on me.

But then I reminded myself— I was only trying to save someone’s life.

After David left, Nathan turned to me with a hard expression.

“You’re coming home with me. Right now.”

I immediately hid behind Noah, who happened to be standing closest to me.

“Hey,” Noah said, shielding me from Nathan. “She didn’t do anything wrong. She saved a life.”

“She should’ve come to me first!”

“There wasn’t enough time,” I argued. “Claire was about to drink it.”

“I don’t care. You’re coming home with me. Now!”

“I’ll take her home instead.”

That familiar deep voice made everyone turn.

“Alex!”

“No way!” Sarah and I said in unison.

Mine was fueled by panic.

There was absolutely no way I was going anywhere alone with him.

I would rather let Nathan scold me all night for causing chaos at his friend’s wedding.

“Why should I go with you?” I asked coldly.

Alexander simply smirked.

“Sweetheart, I’m trying to save you from your brother’s wrath.”

“I don’t need your help. Besides, why should I leave? I only just got here.”

“She’s right,” Mason said. “It’s been ages since we’ve all hung out together. We could grab dinner, go to a restaurant… maybe even a bar.”

“But we can’t—”

“See you later, guys.”

Alexander cut Sarah off, grabbed my hand, and pulled me out of the hall.

No matter how much I struggled, his grip never loosened.

He was simply too strong.

As we approached his white Lamborghini— which, despite my annoyance, I couldn’t help admiring, he suddenly pinned me against the car.

My breath caught in my throat instantly.

His warm brown eyes locked onto mine, and with a teasing smirk, he brushed a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.

“Why are you always running away from me?” he asked in a deep, velvety voice.

His fingers slid gently beneath my chin, lifting my face toward his.

I rolled my eyes. “Let me go, Xander.”

“I love hearing you say my name.”

“In your dreams.”

“Why?” he asked, leaning even closer until our noses nearly touched.

My heartbeat raced again.

For a second, I thought he was about to kiss me.

“You think it can’t happen again?” he murmured. “If it happened once… it can happen again.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“The man you gave your virginity to six years ago is standing right in front of you.”

My heart completely stopped working for a moment.

I stared at him in horror. “W-What?!”

“You knew I was the girl from that one-night stand?” I whispered.

“I remember every little detail of what happened between us that night,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “How innocent you looked beneath me on that bed… the way you screamed my name, begging me to go harder… and the way your soft hand wrapped around my di—”

“Enough!” I cut him off, my cheeks burning. “I don’t want to hear another word of your filthy talk.”

He smirked. “Why? Are you afraid history might repeat itself?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. And stop following me around.”

I paused for a second, before continuing again. “You came here for a wedding, didn’t you? And I’ve already ruined it, so go back to Los Angeles… and don’t ever show your face to me again.”

I shoved him aside and tried to walk away. But he caught my wrist and pulled me back against his chest.

This time, I was completely wrapped in his embrace.

His arms tightened around my waist as though he had no intention of letting me go.

I only wanted to get away before he noticed how much effect he has on me. But he clearly had his own plans.

“You dare tell your future husband never to show his face to you again?”

“W-What?!”

Did he really just say that… or was I imagining things?

He released me and leaned casually against his car, folding his arms across his chest.

A satisfied smirk spread across his face. “You mean your parents haven’t told you?”

His smile widened as he continued. “We’re getting married in three weeks.”

“WHAT NONSENSE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, ALEXANDER REED?!”