Chapter 3

What they threw at us was industrial paint!

I screamed in pure rage, "Are you guys fucking insane?!"

The custom wedding dress I had waited six months for, the makeup that took two hours—all of it was completely ruined!

Yet, they showed absolutely no remorse. Instead, they held their stomachs and roared with laughter.

"Hahaha! Look at Ethan! He looks like a drowned rat!"

Ethan didn't react with the anger I expected. Instead, he let out a weak, apologetic chuckle.

I felt like someone was choking me. I couldn't even scream.

"Ethan! Do you not have a backbone? This is our wedding!"

Ethan pulled my arm, winking at me desperately.

"Chloe, it’s our wedding day. They just wanted to bring some good luck. It’ll wash off."

The paint on my body was smelly and sticky. The guests were looking at us with a mix of pity and amusement.

The wedding I had dreamed of for years was utterly ruined. I felt like I was going to explode.

I shrieked, "What do you mean 'it'll wash off'? They threw paint on us!"

My parents’ faces turned pale. They pointed at the guys in anger.

"What is the meaning of this? How could you ruin a wedding like this!"

Tyler was still laughing, waving his hand dismissively. "Mr. and Mrs. Sarah, relax. It’s just a prank. It’s not like she only has one dress. She can just change."

"Ethan, buddy, we finally got you good today! Aren't you thrilled?"

I stared at Ethan.

He looked incredibly pathetic, covered in wet paint.

"Alright, alright, you guys had your fun. I’ll get you back when you get married!"

Ethan had absolutely no intention of holding them accountable.

His calmness made me look like the hysterical one. Tears welled up in my eyes, and my heart turned ice-cold.

With red eyes, I demanded hoarsely,

"Ethan, is this how you handle things? Do you really not care that our wedding is ruined?"

"They need to give me an explanation! They need to apologize to me right now!"

Losing my mind, I snatched a half-empty paint bucket from the ground and flung it right back at them.

The guys ducked, still smirking. "Whoa, Chloe, don't be so dramatic. It’s just a joke."

All the guests stopped talking, pulling out their phones to record the drama.

My mom’s eyes were red as she stomped her foot. "What kind of nightmare is this?!"

All my dignity was stripped away today!

But Ethan frowned at me, looking at me as if I was the one being unreasonable.

"Chloe, seriously? My friends just wanted to liven things up. Look around, everyone else is having a good time. You're ruining the mood."

I stared at him. "I am asking you one last time. Are you going to make them apologize to me?"

His usual smiling face finally hardened.

"Chloe! Enough! They didn't actually hurt you."

Seeing how relentless I was, Ethan’s mom also lost her patience.

"Chloe, they were just having some harmless fun. All the guests are waiting for the reception."

I felt a deep, crushing disappointment. I hadn't even officially joined their family, and they were already trying to put me in my place.

I thought Ethan would at least stand by my side, but he couldn't even comprehend why I was angry.

Seeing me freeze in place, refusing to budge, Ethan’s face completely darkened.

"Chloe, that’s enough! I’ll explain things to you after the reception. Don't leave everyone hanging."

My mom wiped her tears next to me, whispering to ask what I wanted to do.

My heart felt like it was being pierced by a thousand needles. I remained silent.

Mrs. Davis was now thoroughly annoyed. "Chloe, what on earth is wrong with you?"

Ethan’s expression was incredibly tense.

"Chloe, go clean yourself up. The dinner is starting soon."

Hundreds of guests stared at us, enjoying the free show.

Ethan’s friends looked smug, whispering among themselves. "Man, your girl has a nasty temper. She’s going to be hard to control."

"Well, pregnant women are always hormonal! Ethan, what are you scared of? She’s carrying your kid, she has to marry you anyway. Why panic?"

"Yeah, getting whipped by a pregnant chick? That’s embarrassing, bro!"

They burst into another round of loud laughter.

My mom’s face was incredibly grim. Concerned about the baby in my womb, she looked like she wanted to speak but held back.

I looked around the room, finally locking eyes with Ethan’s impatient face. I let out a cold laugh.

I took out my phone and, without a single shred of hesitation, booked an abortion appointment online.

Then, I looked up at Ethan and forced a smile. "You know, I really wanted to spend the rest of my life with you."

Hearing this, he let out a sigh of relief and reached for my hand. "That’s more like it. Now, let’s quickly—"

Before he could finish, I raised my hand and slapped him across the face with every ounce of my strength.

"But now, I’d rather die!"