Chapter 2

I said, "So that's how it is. You want to have your cake and eat it, too. Marrying your so-called first love isn't enough; now you want me to play the third wheel after the wedding."

I said it matter-of-factly, but for some reason, Andrew just looked amused.

He said, "Claire, you're not the other woman. To me, you're the only one I truly care about. My marriage to Rachel is just for show."

I nodded and didn't say anything else.

Andrew instinctively felt uneasy at my reaction. He reached out, pulled me closer by the waist, trying to hold me against him.

Before I could even show any resistance, his phone rang.

Andrew let go of me and answered the call. Rachel's aggrieved voice came through the receiver.

Rachel asked, "Andrew, when are you coming home? I just woke up from a nightmare."

Andrew's whole demeanor shifted; he was suddenly restless and on edge. He said, "What happened? What kind of nightmare did you have?"

Without another word, he snatched up his jacket and hurried toward the door.

He was so flustered, he even left his car keys behind.

I waved the car keys at him, asking, "Andrew, you planning to walk all the way there?"

The voice on the other end suddenly went silent, and then her crying got even louder.

Rachel said, "I'm sorry, Andrew. I didn't know you were with Claire. You don't have to come home tonight if you don't feel like it. I just had a nightmare without you, but I'm kind of used to it by now."

As soon as she said that, Andrew's face twisted with pain, like his heart was about to shatter. He quickly swore he'd be back with her in half an hour.

After hanging up in a hurry, he narrowed his eyes at me. He said, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?

"You deliberately spoke up while I was on the phone. Claire, do you even realize Rachel can't handle any stress? If you push her too far and something happens, I swear I'll turn against you."

Turned against me? I thought he'd already done that the moment he decided to marry Rachel.

I let out a mocking laugh, pulled open the door, and made a sweeping gesture, inviting him out.

I said, "You still have time to argue with me? If you don't leave now, you won't make it to Rachel's place in half an hour."

Andrew's face turned red with anger. He gave a dismissive snort and stormed out, not even looking back.

I shut the door without a second thought, flopped onto the bed with my phone in hand, just waiting for Rachel to stir up trouble again.

About an hour later, a photo of Andrew wrapped in a towel was sent to my phone.

Rachel: [Andrew still looks as good as ever. He hasn't changed at all since those days.]

I was quick on the draw and managed to screenshot it before she could delete it.

Then I sent her all those old photos of Andrew and me together from over the years.

I replied: [Knock yourself out. I'm honestly over it.]

Rachel didn't reply at all. I just rolled my eyes, bored, and logged out of WhatsApp.

I've gotten this kind of crap more times than I can count.

At first, it hurt like hell; I wanted to crawl through the internet and slap that jerk and his side chick right across the face.

But after a while, I just stopped caring. I even learned to fight fire with fire.

Just as I was about to finally get some rest, the manager from the wedding hotel called me up.

He said, "Ms. Linwood, Mr. Grant just showed up with another woman. He says he wants to see how the place is set up for the wedding."

My brows knitted. I snatched up my clothes and hurried out. I said, "Don't let them in."