You Faked Your Deaths to Punish Me?! That’s Illegal, Family! novel Chapter 52

Chapter 5

“Are you sure all you want is to be friends, Mr. Calloway?”

At the restaurant, I looked into Wyatt’s eyes as I took a slow sip of wine.

Chloe’s thoughts hadn’t been wrong. The way Wyatt looked at me-it was still the look of someone in love.

“Maren, I screwed up.”

“I’ll just say it. After I left you, I realized… you’re the one I actually love.”

“Being with Chloe? That wasn’t about finding my soulmate or whatever. I was just trying to make you jealous. I wanted you to come running back.”

“But I think… all I did was push you further away.”

Wyatt seemed to hesitate for a long time before finally meeting my eyes, his voice full of regret.

I raised an eyebrow. I thought this would take longer, but he was cutting straight to the point.

“Okay. So dump Chloe, and let’s get back together.”

“You… wait, you’re serious?”

Wyatt looked stunned.

He’d probably prepared a whole speech to win me back-and now none of it mattered.

“Yeah. Actually, let’s just get married tomorrow. What do you think?”

I leaned in closer as I said it, and Wyatt instinctively pulled back.

Then, realizing how that looked, he hesitated and grabbed my hand.

“Maren, God, you know I’d marry you today if I could.”

“But I already told my family about Chloe. They’ve started planning the whole wedding.”

“If I just suddenly switch brides, they’re gonna absolutely lose it…”

“How about this-wait till the day of my wedding with Chloe. You crash it. We run away together.”

“Once it’s done, my family can’t say jack.”

I almost laughed at his logic.

“So you’re worried about your family now, but running away at the actual wedding won’t cause a massive scene?”

“Also, didn’t Chloe just say you guys weren’t getting married anytime soon?”

Wyatt looked even more confident now.

“She lied to you. She just didn’t want you anywhere near the wedding.”

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“She wanted to do it on some island originally, but I talked her into doing it at a hotel here instead. Way easier for us to bolt.”

“Then head straight to city hall, get married. It’ll be the most unforgettable day of our lives!!”

Wyatt was getting more and more excited.

“Yeah. It’ll definitely be unforgettable.” I nodded along, even suggesting a new plan:

“Oh wait-I just had an even better idea. What if I wear a wedding dress too? I can literally just shove Chloe aside and take her spot.”

Wyatt’s eyes lit up. He nodded eagerly, even more thrilled than before.

But inside, I just sneered.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

At that wedding, I’m going to expose you for who you really are.

And so, the wedding went ahead as planned.

Despite Chloe’s reluctance, I got my invitation and showed up at the venue.

In the dressing room, Chloe greeted me with a fake smile when she saw I’d actually shown up.

“Maren, I’m so glad you actually came.”

I looked at her, a little surprised.

This room was supposed to be for me-Wyatt had arranged

it

I could change into my wedding dress and crash the ceremony.

Shouldn’t Chloe be in the bridal suite getting her makeup done?

Why was she here?

Did she know something?

But her thoughts gave me the answer soon enough.

“I knew something was up when Wyatt set aside this private room. Of course it’s for this bitch.”

“Good thing I came to check. I’m locking her ass in here so she can’t ruin my wedding.”

Sure enough, Chloe made an excuse and left.

And, as expected, the door was locked.

But I glanced down at my phone-still in my hand.

Did Chloe forget it in her rush? Or did she leave it on purpose, thinking I’d call for help?

Either way, I didn’t text Wyatt.

I tossed the phone aside.

Because I knew it didn’t matter. When the time came, someone would come for me.

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Chapter 5

I waited in that room for nearly two hours.

Finally, someone opened the door.

“Miss Hartley! Oh my God, there you are. Mr. Calloway’s been looking everywhere for you. He tried texting, calling-your phone’s been off. He’s completely freaking out.”

“The ceremony’s about to start. You gotta change into your dress right now-we need to go!”.

Wyatt’s assistant rushed in, frantic.

I put on my best panicked expression.

“Oh thank God the ceremony hasn’t started yet. I thought I was gonna miss it. Someone locked me in here, and my phone died!”

“I’m just so relieved Wyatt didn’t forget about me. I’ll change right now.”

I closed the door and quickly slipped into the wedding dress.

The ceremony had already started.

Wyatt and Chloe stood on stage, reaching out to accept rings from the flower girl.

But something was off. Chloe didn’t have that shy, blushing look she usually had around Wyatt. Instead, her smile looked strained.

I kept walking toward the stage.

Maybe it was too sudden-no one tried to stop me.

Only Chloe’s eyes widened in shock.

“Maren? What-what are you doing here?”

“What the hell is going on?”

I looked up at Chloe.

Today marked the twenty-sixth year of our friendship.

We were born in the same hospital. Grew up on the same street.

I was three months older, but she’d always been the one looking out for me.

From helping me with homework as kids, to being there when my parents got sick.

Chloe showed un

time I needed help.

She

blood, but we were closer than family.

partments with extra rooms-just for each other.

he irreplaceable in my life.

deep down, I never believed she’d turn on me over some guy.

“Chloe. I’m here to get you out of this.”

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