CHAPTER 13
Born into wealth and holding significant power, Alex had encountered countless women’s attempts at flattery and manipulation.
Chloe’s tactics were amateur at best. Her transparent attempt to charm him was painfully obvious.
Alex didn’t take her hand or even acknowledge her with a glance, leaving her awkwardly hanging in mid–air.
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Chloe’s smile froze as she withdrew her hand, trying to save face. “Sorry about that. I was just curious how Tessa suddenly got engaged. I wanted to get to know you.” Griffin, seeing his beloved being snubbed, quickly pulled her into a protective embrace, murmuring comforting words.
His voice when consoling Chloe was gentler than I’d ever heard from him. Instinctively, he glanced at me, expecting jealousy or outrage.
He thought I’d break character and confess that Alex was just an actor I’d hired to make him reconsider, that this was all an elaborate scheme to win him back. But that moment never came.
I stood quietly beside Alex, not sparing Griffin even a glance. His tender gestures toward Chloe meant nothing to me now–as if I truly no longer cared about him. “It’s getting late. Let’s go sign the papers,” Alex said, turning to me.
I nodded. “Whatever you say.”
I slipped my arm through his, and we walked naturally toward the courthouse
entrance.
Now Griffin knew I wasn’t acting.
He panicked completely.
Ignoring Chloe’s presence, he rushed after me and blocked our path.
“Tessa, you’ve loved me for twelve years. How can you marry someone you barely know?”
“Do you know anything about him? His background? His family?”
“Are you just doing this out of spite because I’m marrying someone else? What’s the point?”
Griffin’s rapid–fire questions made me laugh.
As I was about to respond, Alex gently squeezed my hand and spoke first. “You must be Griffin Hayes. Tessa has mentioned you on the phone. Before she agreed to marry me, she told me about your history, and I’ve shared mine with her.” “We know everything about each other’s backgrounds and families. That’s none of
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your concern.
“Tessa isn’t marrying me out of spite. She carefully considered her decision to leave you behind and move forward with me.”
“You never appreciated or valued her. Why shouldn’t she pursue her own happiness?”
“Today is our wedding day, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to marry her. I’m in a good mood and don’t want to make a scene. But if you continue with these inappropriate comments, I won’t be so pleasant.”
Alex narrowed his eyes slightly, his presence commanding and intimidating. Everyone present realized he wasn’t making idle threats.
Warmth spread through me. Alex was defending me, something no one had done in
years.
This man I’d known less than six months was standing up for me without hesitation. In contrast, Griffin and I had grown up together. I’d devoted myself to his company and his life, yet he had never once defended me against anything or anyone. From the depths of my heart, I was grateful I’d cut my losses and chosen Alex. Ignoring the varied expressions around us, Alex led me into the courthouse. During our photo session, Alex’s typically stern face softened as he held me close, his eyes filled with affection.
I smiled genuinely, determined to build a happy life with him.
The resulting photos captured a couple deeply in love, drawing envious glances. In stark contrast, Griffin and Chloe–who followed us into the courthouse- appeared distracted and uncomfortable in their photos.
The photographer frowned, repeatedly attempting to direct their poses.
Eventually, he gave up in frustration. “Are you two sure you want to get married? You don’t look like you’re being forced, do you?”
Afterward, both of them looked miserable.
With certificate in hand, I felt a surprising lightness. Not sadness or regret, but gentle joy.
I was thankful I’d left Griffin behind and chosen Alex, glad I hadn’t continued making the same mistake.
From a distance, Griffin stared at the red marriage certificate in my hands. The sight seemed to physically pain him.
He’d been so confident I wouldn’t marry anyone else, and now reality had slapped
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him hard in the face.
Try as he might, he couldn’t understand how I could love him for twelve years and then walk away so easily. Had he not been good enough? Apart from not giving me the title of his wife, hadn’t he treated me well?
His chest tightened with a dull ache that came too late.
He was pulled from his thoughts when Chloe reached for his hand. He flinched
away instinctively.
Alex and I left the courthouse together. As we walked away, Griffin felt like someone was squeezing his heart, making it hard to breathe.
Several times he almost ran after me, begging me not to leave. But logic kept him rooted in place.
It was too late for regrets. What was done was done.
At le
A
as still Hayes Enterprises‘ assistant, he comforted himself. I’d still be in
e rang–his secretary calling.
ayes, everything you requested has been arranged…”
in suddenly remembered. Yesterday, to surprise Chloe, he’d planned a wedding eception after their courthouse ceremony.
He should have been ecstatic about marrying the woman he loved, but seeing me leave with another man had soured his mood completely.
“Sir, everyone’s here. When will you and Mrs. Hayes arrive?” his secretary prompted. Griffin replied tersely, “We’re on our way.”
An hour later, they arrived at the reception. When Chloe entered, the guests finally discovered the identity of Griffin’s mysterious bride–his receptionist.
“So the famous Hayes Enterprises CEO married his receptionist!”
“That explains why Chloe was flashing that ring and property deed around the office. It all came from Hayes.”
“Talk about a Cinderella story! From the front desk to the penthouse in one leap.” The murmurs reached Chloe, who basked in the attention. After waiting so long, she could finally claim the title of Mrs. Hayes publicly.
Meanwhile, Griffin looked anything but happy. Unlike Chloe, he could detect the subtle mockery in their comments.
Suppressing his unease, Griffin forced himself to escort Chloe around the room for
toasts.
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He’d invited numerous business partners to the reception. They approached one man in his mid–forties wearing a bespoke suit–James Sullivan, an important
investor.
Griffin remembered how I had secured Sullivan’s crucial investment years ago. I’d revised business plans day and night and drank until my stomach bled to close that
deal.
My dedication and professionalism had impressed Sullivan, helping secure Hayes Enterprises‘ first major funding. This investment had turned the company around and made Sullivan one of my strongest advocates.
Now, Sullivan watched Griffin approach with Chloe clinging to his arm, his expression unreadable. “Mr. Hayes, I always assumed you would marry Tessa.” “Tessa’s work ethic and commitment were extraordinary. When Hayes was just starting, she was its backbone.” Sullivan sipped his drink thoughtfully. “I remember her negotiating that first contract with bloodshot eyes from exhaustion, yet she never faltered. I wondered why a recent graduate would work so relentlessly for an unknown startup. Later I realized–she stayed for love, she worked for love.” Sullivan shook his head. “All that devotion, and in the end, someone else got the prize.”
Griffin’s face reddened with embarrassment. After an uncomfortable silence, he mumbled, “What you don’t know is that Tessa married someone else today too.” “Then she must have been deeply wounded. When a woman gives her best years to a man, it usually takes heartbreak and disillusionment of the highest order for her to finally walk away.”
Griffin had no response.
Chloe, however, felt publicly humiliated and couldn’t maintain her sweet persona any longer.
She lashed out at Sullivan: “You’re obviously Tessa’s spy! I knew that woman was shameless, still trying to ruin our happiness even on our wedding day!” “What kind of moral high ground are you preaching? Griffin told me Tessa was just pathetically obsessed with him–he never had feelings for such a plain, desperate woman. If you’re here to cause trouble, get the hell out! You’re not welcome at our wedding!”
“Shut up!” Griffin roared at her, then turned apologetically to Sullivan. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Sullivan. My wife didn’t mean-”
Before he could finish, Chloe started screaming and hitting him with her fists. “Why
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shouldn’t I say it? This old man brings up Tessa out of nowhere, clearly trying to make me look bad! I can’t say anything back?”
“Griffin Hayes, remember what you promised when you proposed? You said you’d treat me like a princess forever. You’ve changed! You actually wanted to marry Tessa, didn’t you?”
Chloe’s accusations exploded like bombs, humiliating Griffin in front of everyone. Sullivan gave a cold smile and waved dismissively. “Whether your wife meant it or not is perfectly clear to me. My eyesight may be failing with age, but I’m not deaf or blind. I’ll be reconsidering our partnership with Hayes Enterprises.”
With that, Sullivan walked out, ignoring Griffin’s attempts to stop him.
Several other executives who were close to Sullivan exchanged glances and also made their exits.
The joyous wedding reception had devolved into a complete disaster.
