Chapter 2
On the way back, I slid into the back seat.
Nolan glanced at me, a flicker of guilt flashing in his eyes. “My assistant took Sienna home. She was crying hard today, I stayed to comfort her for a bit. Maren, please don’t be mad, okay?”
I didn’t want to hear another word from him. I closed my eyes.
“I’m not mad. Just tired.”
Maybe my indifference tonight was too out of character, because Nolan started to panic.
Afraid I’d leave, he stopped going to work altogether, sticking to me like glue, barely letting me out of his sight.
The night before our wedding, our friends threw us a pre-wedding party.
Unfortunately, it was the first day of my period. Cold sweat clung to my skin, and the cramps in my lower abdomen were
unbearable.
Nolan noticed how unwell I looked, his eyes full of concern. He held my hand, ready to take me home.
But his buddies wouldn’t have it. They immediately surrounded us.
“Come on, Nolan. We all showed up for you-don’t kill the vibe, man.”
No matter how Nolan tried to explain, the drunken crew refused to let him go.
Left with no choice, I sat back down on the couch.
Nolan quickly called his assistant, asking him to bring some warm clothes, a heating pad, and a bottle of Midol.
Half an hour later, the door opened-and in walked Sienna.
Nolan’s expression twisted in surprise and annoyance. “Why are you here?”
Sienna glanced at me before replying politely, “Your assistant had something come up. He asked me to deliver these
instead.”
He had wanted her to drop the things off and leave, but his friends roped him into a game.
Worried I might not be feeling well alone,, Nolan let Sienna stay behind to keep an eye on me.
The game started, and Nolan won the first round.
He drew a card and read it aloud, “Round one winner chooses any person of the opposite gender present to take a drinking punishment.”
Everyone erupted in laughter as a server brought out the punishment drink.
An 800-milliliter glass packed with ice and filled to the brim with strong vodka.
There were only two women in the room-me and Sienna.
Chapter 2
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Everyone knew I was on my period. And Nolan-so deeply in love-would never make me drink something like that.
Naturally, all eyes turned to Sienna, who looked small and nervous under the spotlight.
But Nolan hesitated. “Let’s skip this one. I’ll break the rules. You guys can pick any car from my garage.”
The cars were tempting, sure-but his rare indecisiveness only made these rich boys more curious.
They exchanged glances, sensing something off, and refused to back down. He had to pick someone.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he finally said, “I choose… Maren.”
The unexpected decision stunned the room.
Shock painted every face around us.
Pale and dizzy from pain, I looked up annd met Nolan’s eyes.
Just that one look made Nolan squirm.
He opened his mouth to explain, but I had already reached for the glass the server was handing me.
I raised it. The ice-cold liquid brushed my lips when, suddenly, a hand darted in from the side and snatched the drink
away.
Beckett-no one had even noticed when he walked in-lifted the vodka and downed it in one go.
Then he flipped the empty glass upside down, smirking at Nolan. “Sorry. I was thirsty. Hope I didn’t ruin your fun, Mr.
Everett.”
“But hey, it’s an honor to take a drink on Maren’s behalf.”
The two of them had never gotten along. Every time they met, it was nothing but snide remarks and cold sarcasm.
Seeing him here, Nolan’s face darkened instantly. And hearing my name from Beckett’s mouth only made it worse.
“This is between me and Maren. It’s none of your business, outsider.”
“After tomorrow, she’ll be my wife. Might want to back off.”
“Tomorrow? Wife?” Beckett repeated the words slowly, then smiled with something unreadable in his eyes.
No one understood what was so funny. Except me.
I turned my head slightly, glancing at the clock on the wall.
It was midnight. A new day had begun.
And my wedding was just hours away,
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