The Bride Wasn’t Her

I had completely run out of patience.

"Security. Are you deaf?

"Throw these two out. And from today onward, every property under the Shane family name is off-limits to Christine and dogs alike."

The guards immediately stepped forward and grabbed them by the arms.

Christine struggled violently, her face twisted with fury as she screamed at me, "Tony, if you dare treat me like this, you're going to regret it!"

That same night, I received a text from an unknown number.

[Did you really think this would make Christine come back to you? Bet you didn't expect this: she doesn't care at all. She's happily overseas with me on vacation right now.]

I did not even need to guess who sent it. I blocked the number immediately.

During the following days, Christine's parents still refused to give up and came looking for me several times, but I had them turned away every single time.

A week later, after calculating when Haylee's flight would land, I drove to the airport to pick her up.

The moment I stepped into the international arrivals hall, I ran straight into Christine and Michael.

The two of them looked slightly tanned from the trip, sunglasses on, carrying themselves with the relaxed air of people returning from a carefree vacation.

The instant Christine saw me, she smiled smugly.

"I knew you couldn't let me go. You even came all the way here to pick me up."

I could not be bothered responding. I looked at her the same way I would look at an idiot.

Michael chimed in with a mocking grin, "Come on, don't be mad anymore."

"Christine didn't mean to leave you behind when we went to relax. As her fiancé, you should be more understanding."

Christine was clearly pleased by that. She lifted a hand to sling it over my shoulder, but I sidestepped before she could touch me.

Not only did she not get angry, she looked even more smug, convinced I was just throwing a childish tantrum.

"Alright, stop sulking. Once we get married, I'll make it up to you with an even more luxurious honeymoon trip. Happy now?"

"Move aside. Good dogs don't block the way."

I brushed past the two of them and pulled the fast-approaching Haylee into my arms.

"Honey, welcome home."

Haylee naturally leaned against me and tilted her head up, pressing a soft kiss against my chin.

Behind us, the smug smile on Christine's face froze instantly.

After a brief, deathly silence came her furious scream.

"Tony! Are you done messing around yet?!"

She stormed over in a few quick steps and pointed angrily at Haylee.

"So this is your way of getting back at me? You even hired an actress? Not bad, her acting's pretty convincing. How much did you pay her?

"Name your price. I'll pay ten times more if she disappears right now."

I pulled Haylee behind me protectively, my expression darkening as the atmosphere around me turned ice cold.

However, Haylee simply tightened her grip on my hand and calmly met Christine's distorted glare.

"Christine, weren't you asking to meet my wife?"

I intertwined my fingers with Haylee's and let out a cold laugh.

"Then let me formally introduce her. This is my wife."

The color drained from Christine's face.

"You! What are you doing here?!"