Chapter 31 Made It Public
“Wait!” Just as Tyler was about to take Eleanor out of the hall, Chris suddenly shoved Serena’s hand away and stormed after them. “Eleanor, I need to talk to you!”
“Wait, Chris!” Serena seethed as Chris made a beeline for Eleanor, but could do nothing.
“Eleanor, did you really marry my Tyler?” Chris reached out, but the chill in Eleanor’s eyes stopped him cold. His hand froze mid–air, then slowly dropped.
“Is this really your way of getting back at me?” he scoffed. “Is it worth throwing away. your dignity like this?”
“Are you out of your mind?” Eleanor frowned. “So it’s fine for you to move on, but I’m not allowed to?”
“Chris.” Tyler’s voice cut in, cool and sharp. “From now on, Eleanor is your aunt–in–law. Show some respect and stop talking to her like this.”
Chris didn’t dare talk back to Tyler, He lowered his voice. “That’s not what I meant. I just think… Eleanor’s using you, Tyler. You’re a smart guy–how could you fall for a woman like that?”
Tyler gave a slow, mocking smile. “You think you’re clever? You should be keeping an eye on your bride. If you don’t head back soon, she won’t be able to keep up the act much longer.”
Chris glanced toward the stage where Serena stood, then muttered, “Yeah… she’s pretending she doesn’t care. She’s just trying to save me from embarrassment.” Eleanor let out a laugh. “Wow. You’re really something. Who ditches their bride to chase after an ex?”
“I just came to tell you–I don’t buy that so–called evidence,” Chris jabbed a finger in her direction. “Videos can be faked, You’ve been bullying Serena all along. You married Tyler just to keep messing with her. I won’t let you hurt her anymore!”
Eleanor covered her smile with one hand and turned to Tyler. “Hear that? I’m the villain
now.”
“Did you apologize to Eleanor yet?” Tyler asked, his voice dropping several degrees. “Or did you forget what we talked about earlier?”
Chris’s face turned dark. After a pause, he muttered, “I’m sorry.”
“That didn’t sound very sincere.” Tyler tightened his grip on Eleanor’s hand, his eyes turning steely. “I was trying not to Successfully unlocked! blic, but you keep pushing. Say it properly–we don’t have all day.
Chris clenched his fists, glaring at Eleanor. Just as he opened his mouth, Tyler added, Kneel.”
Chapter 31 Made It Public
Chris’s eyes went wide. To him, kneeling was a humiliation. “You can’t just order me to kneel!” he fought back.
“Eleanor is your elder,” Tyler replied coolly. “Kneeling to her isn’t shameful. But if it bothers you that much, let Serena do it instead.”
Before anyone could react, Chris dropped to his knees and spoke up. “Eleanor, I was blind and selfish. I only cared about your family background. I was the one who moved on first,” said Chris. “Let’s just end this on a civil note, please. Serena had nothing to do with it–don’t drag her into this,”
“Oh,
Chris, it’s nice to hear your apology,” Eleanor looked down at him. “But I’m afraid I
can’t forgive you.”
Chris lifted his head, his eyes full of rage.
“What, that pisses you off?” Eleanor scoffed. “Why should I forgive you? First of all, I don’t owe you anything. Second, I’m not getting back together with you. I just wanted to live quietly, but then I met Tyler. He makes me feel safe. So why wouldn’t I marry him?”
Chris opened his mouth, then shut it, his expression flickering with emotion. “You’re so selfish. You only think about yourself.”
“Isn’t that what everyone does?” Eleanor gave a cold laugh“.
taught me to do?”
that what Serena
“That’s not true!” Chris shot back. “Serena isn’t like that–she’s always putting others first!”
Eleanor gave him a mocking smile. “Chris, tell me something. Do you really not believer what Serena’s done? Or are you just lying to yourself so you don’t have to admit you were wrong? People like you never think they’re wrong–because there’s nothing going on in that pretty little head of yours.”
Serena couldn’t take it anymore. She lifted the hem of her gown and ran to Eleanor, dropping to her knees with a loud thud. “Eleanor, I’m sorry. I know marrying Chris hurt. you, but you didn’t have to go so far as to marry Tyler just to get back at me,” she almost begged. “You’re dragging down the whole family’s reputation.”
Eleanor didn’t look angry–instead, she burst out laughing. “You really have a way with words. First, you stop us from leaving. Then you kneel down and play the victim? And hey–now that you’re married to Chris, I’m also your aunt–in–law, and you should behave yourself..
Serena looked helplessly toward Linda, silently pleading for help. But Linda stayed seated, completely indifferent.
“Don’t bother, Eleanor said flatly. “Mom’s got better things to do. She doesn’t have time for you. Tyler, let’s not waste another second on these two. Let’s go.”
Serena’s tears flowed. “Chris, if you really regret it, we can call off the wedding right now. Let’s just get a divorce.”
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Chris looked at her, uncertain. Eleanor’s words echoed in his mind. Could they really be true? This was supposed to be their wedding day… and he’d let it spiral out of control. That was on him.
“Oh, and one more thing.” Eleanor turned back as if she’d just remembered. “When you get the chance, have your wife checked out. Better make sure it’s not an ectopic. pregnancy.”
“Eleanor, don’t curse her!” Chris roared. “The baby will be perfectly healthy!”
Eleanor smirked and walked away without so much as a glance back.
Outside the hotel, Tyler was waiting. As Eleanor stepped out, he held out his hand and asked. “Feel better?”
Eleanor nodded. “Lies always need more lies to stay afloat. I’m curious to see what she‘ Il do next.”
Tyler rested his hand gently on her shoulder. “Whatever she does, steer clear of her. You know how she plays–she’s already scheming her next move.”
“If she dares, I’ll make her wish she hadn’t.” Eleanor’s voice was low, firm, her fists clenched, but then she heard Tyler chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Just thinking about when I was a kid,” Tyler ruffled her hair, replied. “There was this. little girl who got into a fight with a big goose. She was fierce as hell. I remember thinking, “She’s interesting. I’m going to marry her someday.”
Eleanor stared at him, a strange feeling creeping in. So that girl was his first love? She thought.
She then thought back to when she was young–being chased by a goose at her grandmother’s house and finally fighting back. But that was long before she’d met Tyler.
A knot twisted in her chest. The feeling was stronger than when she broke up with Chris.
“Speaking of kids…” Tyler said casually, “what are your thoughts?”
3/3
