Chapter 2

The reply came fast.

"Okay. I'll be there at five, on the dot."

I let out a long breath. At least someone was willing to play along.

Otherwise I was genuinely afraid the shock would hit my mother and trigger her heart condition right there.

Bryan barked at me.

"Olivia Winfield, you stop right there!"

I didn't slow down, and it drove him to say the ugly thing out loud.

"If you dare walk away, don't ever expect me to speak to you again. We're completely finished!"

My steps paused. I turned and gave a cold little laugh.

"Now you want to stop me? Too late."

"Wedding games at the pickup, fine, I get it. It's supposed to be festive, a bit of fun."

"But making me bark like a dog and crawl between someone's legs, that kind of trampling on my dignity? I will never accept it."

There wasn't a trace of guilt on Bryan's face. Only mockery.

"Olivia Winfield, drop the noble act."

"If this wedding falls apart today and your mother's heart gives out, you'll bear every bit of the consequences yourself!"

My pupils shrank. I stared at Bryan, unable to believe it.

And I finally saw exactly what he was thinking.

So this had been his plan all along, to use my mother's illness to trample me, to keep me under his thumb.

A wave of relief rose in me. Thank God I'd seen his true face in time and pulled myself out early.

Looking at that vicious, selfish face, I smiled faintly.

"Don't worry. My mother's health is none of your concern."

And I turned and walked away.

In the car, my ex messaged again.

"I've already contacted the top cardiac specialist in the country. Heading to your mother now. I'll keep her protected the whole time."

It caught me off guard. This was only pretend, and yet he'd put real thought into it.

I sent back one line.

"Okay. Thank you."

When I reached the Park Hyatt, I'd barely stepped out of the car when I saw my mother standing at the entrance, watching for me, her face full of hope and worry.

The moment she saw me get out alone, her smile froze, and she hurried over and grabbed my hand.

"Olivia, where's Bryan? Why did you come back by yourself?"

My friends all wore pained, stuck expressions.

Looking at my mother's pale, frail face, I didn't know how to begin either.

I could hardly tell her that Bryan and his ex-girlfriend had humiliated me in public, forcing me to bark like a dog and crawl between her legs.

So I just fudged it and let it pass.

"Mom, something came up at Bryan's company that he had to handle. It'll hold him up a little. I came ahead to look after the guests. He'll be here later."

My mother gave my arm a light pinch, scolding gently.

"You silly girl, you should be doing more to help him."

I nodded with a sheepish smile and didn't dare argue.

The guests around us came up to offer congratulations.

"You're truly blessed, ma'am. A son-in-law who runs a big company. Nothing but easy days ahead for you!"

"Exactly, a talented man and a beautiful woman. What a perfect match!"

My mother listened with her brows relaxing, color coming back into her face.

I stood off to the side and didn't dare say a word more.

All I could do was pray silently that my ex would arrive on time.

Then a burst of noise came from the hotel entrance.

"The groom's here!"