Wedding Dress Betrayal Finding Love With His Uncle novel Chapter 3

hapter 3

## Chapter 3: You’re “Sure” He’s Clean?

“Bam!”

Allison slammed the jewelry box shut, the smile vanishing from her face.

Britney wasn’t in the mood to deal with her, so she turned to head upstairs, but Allison grabbed her arm hard. “Britney, what are you even thinking? Throwing a tantrum with Ryan? Seriously, look at yourself!”

“Hooking up with the Lewis family that’s a blessing so many people only dream of, and you’re just gonna be

ungrateful?”

A blessing? Maybe.

The Simpsons had found her, but they didn’t really care about her. Her mom and dad never remembered her birthday, and they never showed up to her school events. Their world revolved around Skylar.

To outsiders, Britney was just an orphan riding on someone else’s coattails, no different from a hired hand.

She’d barely turned eighteen when an accident left her with irreversible hearing damage. Loud, chaotic noises would give her a splitting headache, and serious episodes could even lead to temporary deafness.

She was what everyone called “disabled,” a “waste.”

Meanwhile, Ryan was the Lewis family’s youngest son, born with a silver spoon, adored since childhood,

wanting for nothing..

Her marrying him was obviously a step up for her, basically marrying into a life of luxury. It even brought the Simpsons more prestige. When she returned to the Simpson family, she could even sit at the head table with

Ryan.

But the thing is, Britney never wanted any of that.

“I have no clue what Ryan even sees in you, ignoring sensible and well–behaved Skylar, just to insist on

marrying you.”

Britney’s eyes widened in shock. “So, Mom, you knew about this?”

“So what if I knew?” Allison sounded a little guilty. “Skylar isn’t trying to snatch your spot anymore, and Ryan even personally came to apologize. What more do you want?”

“Tomorrow, you’re gonna go to the company and apologize to Ryan…”

Britney took two steps back. She never imagined her own mother would say something like that. Her eyes trembled, and she wanted to argue, but it was like an invisible hand was squeezing her throat, making it impossible to speak.

After a long moment, she balled her fists and asked in a hoarse voice, “What if I don’t apologize?”

“What did you say?” Allison hadn’t expected Britney, usually so obedient, to talk back.

“I said I won’t apologize, and I won’t marry Ryan Lewis.” Britney took a deep breath, trying to push down the hurt and intense pain in her chest. So, Mom, please stop wasting your energy on me.”

“Maybe you should focus on figuring out how Skylar can become the ‘real‘ Mrs. Lewis, instead of someone who just hides in the shadows, settling for a backdoor wedding.”

“Smack!” A sharp slap echoed. Britney’s head snapped to the side, her cheek instantly swelling red. Her left ear buzzed, and beyond that, she felt nothing else.

Britney slowly turned back, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. But that smile made her despair undeniably clear. With red–rimmed eyes, she took a step closer. “Was one slap enough?”

“L..” Allison faltered, momentarily taken aback by Britney’s gaze.

“Looks like it was enough. I’ll head back to my room then. Britney stubbornly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and went upstairs without looking back.

She let out a self–deprecating laugh. She should have known. No one in the Simpson family ever cared about her, let alone when Skylar was involved.

She should have known all along…

The next morning, Ryan, uncharacteristically, woke up early. He even dragged his buddy, Daniel Hughes, cut of his “cozy spot” just to pull some strings and get a breakfast order from ‘Top Bistro,‘ a place that never did

takeout.

Ryan remembered bringing Britney there once, and she really loved it.

He figured with all this effort. Britney would forgive anything.

But when Ryan arrived at Britney’s design department, full of anticipation, he found her absent. Her computer was off, and her chair wasn’t pulled out.

She didn’t come in? He’d clearly told her they’d meet at the company this morning….

Ryan, face dark, stopped an employee. “Where’s Britney?”

“Britney?” The person he grabbed looked confused. She took the day off, Mr. Lewis. Didn’t you know?”

Took the day off?

Ryan let go, his expression even gloomier, Britney used to tell him everything. They had an appointment planned, and she took the day off without telling him. Was she still mad?

“Mr. Lewis.” Daniel, his childhood friend, yawned and draped an arm over him “Seriously, I ditched a hot date to personally grab you breakfast, and she’s not even here

“I think Britney’s genuinely pissed this time. You should figure out how to smooth things over. Or just lie to her and say you broke up with Skylar for now. It’s not like it’s your first time messing with her. You’re a pro at

that

Ryan shrugged Daniel off and straightened his collar. “No need.”

“You sure, no need? Britney’s pretty stubborn, you know.”

“She loves me so much, she’ll come around.” Ryan’s tone was absolute.

Britney was easily satisfied and incredibly forgiving of him. Whether he missed their anniversary or forgot a promise, all it took was one apology from him, and she’d forgive him.

This time, it was just taking a little longer, and he could wait.

Britney didn’t want to stay at the Simpson house and face Allison’s “persuasion,” so she left early that morning, hiding out at her best friend Amaya Brooks‘ coffee shop.

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