Dumping Him for His Uncle (Natasha and Zachary) novel Chapter 12

Someone said, "Hey, look over there. Isn't that the bride? Why is she walking around the hall dressed like that?"

"You didn't notice? The name on the invitation has changed. It's Nicole and Matthew now."

"Wait, isn't Nicole Natasha's younger sister? What kind of sick joke is this—swapping the bride from the older sister to the younger one?"

It only took one comment before the whispers spread like wildfire.

The ceremony hadn't started yet, but Natasha held her head high, her back straight, and offered a polite smile to the crowd as if none of it touched her.

Just then, a staff member appeared from the corner and leaned in to whisper by her ear, "You must be Ms. Bradley. Mr. Foster is waiting for you backstage."

Natasha raised a brow, confused. She wasn't sure why Zachary wanted to see her, but their recent interactions meant a degree of familiarity now existed. What if he had something important to tell her?

She followed the staff member to a side hallway, but as soon as she turned the corner, the staff member had vanished.

Natasha frowned, her gaze sweeping the dim hallway. He had been the one who asked for her, yet now he was nowhere in sight. It felt more like a setup, like he was playing some kind of game.

"Mr. Foster?" she called out, stepping into a dimly lit room. When no one answered, she turned to leave—only to bump right into someone.

"Ugh!" Nicole let out a soft yelp and staggered back, leaning dramatically against the wall like some delicate porcelain doll.

Natasha's expression immediately soured as she looked at Nicole, who was dressed in a perfectly polished traditional dress. Her appearance stirred no emotion within Natasha.

She was about to walk away when Nicole's voice stopped her. "Nat, it's my wedding day. Can't you at least wish me well?"

Natasha scoffed. "You think I'd bless you for stealing my wedding? Nicole, where do you even get the nerve?"

Nicole replied, "Compared to you? I'm still holding myself back. At least I didn't try seducing Zachary."

As soon as she said it, she noticed Natasha casually stretching her wrist.

Natasha said, "Did I hit you too hard last time? Do you want me to fix that memory for you?"

When Matthew spoke those words yesterday, Natasha knew it was her spreading more lies.

"Oh, come on, I saw you and Zachary at a restaurant having lunch—sitting way too close, looking very cozy. Are you denying it now?"

So that was what gave Nicole so much confidence. Natasha finally understood.

"Sorry to break it to you, but not everyone's like you. Just because we had lunch doesn't mean something happened."

She was about to leave but paused. She still had more to say. "And so what if I did seduce Zachary? I'm single, and he's single.

"We wouldn't owe anyone an explanation. That's still more respectable than being caught as someone's mistress.

"Maybe worry less about who I'm seeing and more about whether this wedding of yours will go through."

With that, she gave a knowing smile and walked offstage.

Nicole wore an expression that seemed like she had outsmarted herself, watching Natasha's retreating figure.

Back in the banquet hall, Natasha took a deep breath. For a moment, she wondered if she had gone too easy on Nicole.

The music shifted into something festive. Matthew entered from the grand doors, holding a bouquet forged entirely from gold.

Natasha had once warned him it was tacky and likely to get stolen. But he had just laughed and said anyone who needed to snatch a few ounces of gold didn't belong at their wedding.

After all, every guest at their wedding belonged to the upper crust of society—wealthy, powerful, and used to luxury.

Moments later, Nicole walked in with her face veiled, escorted by Henry down the aisle.

Everyone assumed the ceremony would proceed as planned, but Nicole lifted her veil just after the officiant finished his opening remarks.

She said, "I know many of you are confused. You're wondering why I'm standing here instead of Natasha. And while I know what I've done isn't fair to her, I just don't want anyone misunderstanding me."