Seventeen Years Waiting, Fourteen Years Betrayed

It was only when everyone noticed Huntley Gray's terrible expression that they followed his gaze toward me.

When they spotted me, their eyes darted away uneasily.

My best friend, Nova Willis, was the first to walk over, a stiff smile plastered on her face.

"Ains, we only kept this from you for your own good. I mean, everyone knows you care about Huntley more than life itself.

"Besides, Quinn really isn't as mean-spirited as you used to make her out to be. Think about it. Your mom was her dad's mistress, and her mom ended up jumping off a building because of it. Anyone would have a problem with the mistress' daughter after that, right?

"And let's be honest, you can't live without Huntley anyway. And since your mom is used to being the other woman, I'm sure a marriage certificate isn't really that big of a deal to a mistress' daughter like you."

Her tone was so sincere, so full of gentle reasoning.

It was just like in high school, when Quinn Pallard had locked me in a bathroom and dumped filth all over me.

Nova had been the one who kicked the bathroom door open, pulled me into a hug, and comforted me, all while ignoring the stench all over me.

"Don't be scared, Ains," she'd said back then. "I believe your mom. I know her dad made up those disgusting rumors about her. Delinquents like her won't make it to college. We just have to make it through high school, and things will get better."

But now, looking at the faint glimmer of contempt in her eyes, my throat felt like it was trapped in a vise. My face flushed red, but I couldn't get a single word out.

Mom swayed next to me, barely able to stay on her feet. All she could do was whisper over and over, "I didn't… I'm not…"

Huntley's childhood best friend, Titus Roberts, frowned as he looked between us.

"Ainsley, Quinn has already agreed to let Huntley keep you on the side after they're married. She's willing to put aside her hatred for you and your mom for Huntley's sake, so you should stop being so petty and let it go."

A flicker of disgust flashed across his eyes before vanishing.

He was no longer the boy from high school who had stood alongside Huntley to protect me. Back then, the two of them, with bats in their hands, had faced off against the thugs Quinn had called in.

Back then, he'd boldly promised me, "Ainsley, as long as I'm alive, you'll stay alive. Even if I go down, I'll still make sure you're safe first!

"We swore we'd never hit a woman, but for a woman this vile, we need to teach her a lesson even if it means we get struck by lightning."

Now, even Huntley's parents, Aaron Gray and Jessie Shaffer, were patiently trying to persuade me.

"We don't mind your mother's ruined reputation. And we've urged Huntley to settle down, but he always told us he wanted to wait. If he really wanted to marry you, he would've done it years ago. He wouldn't have kept you waiting for 17 years without ever giving you an official title."

I held Mom up as her entire body shook. Ignoring everyone else, I looked straight at Huntley, who had remained silent this whole time.

"What about you?" I asked. "Aren't you going to give me an explanation?"