Chapter 3

3

Parker rubbed the back of his neck, looking between Caleb and me before finally finding his voice.

"A few of the guys are getting together tonight. We're all bringing our partners."

He glanced at Daisy and added, "Close friends are welcome too."

See? Caleb loved Daisy so much that even his friends were looking out for her.

I originally wanted to decline, but Caleb must have sensed my coldness lately. He grabbed my hand in front of Parker and smiled. "Of course I'm bringing your sister-in-law."

Caleb was a stubborn man. Back then, he was convinced that if he broke Miles and me up, Daisy would be happy. He never let me have a moment alone with Miles.

Now, he was convinced that marrying me would fix everything for Daisy. If he knew I was leaving, he would definitely cause trouble.

When we arrived at the bar, everyone was already there.

Everyone had their partners with them.

Daisy walked ahead, clinging to Caleb's arm. Some of the guys who didn't know better greeted her as if she were the one Caleb was marrying.

Caleb used to hang out with them all the time, but he never invited me. He must have been bringing Daisy this whole time.

I ignored the awkward looks from the people who did recognize me and found a corner seat.

After a few drinks, Daisy's face was flushed. She burst into tears and threw herself into Caleb's arms.

"Caleb, what am I going to do? Miles doesn't want me anymore."

Caleb frantically patted her back, his voice more tender than I had ever heard it. "It's okay, Daisy. You still have me."

Daisy continued to sob uncontrollably. "But you're getting married. I'll be all alone."

Caleb looked at her with such devotion, gently wiping her tears. "Don't worry. Even after I'm married, you will always be my number one priority. No one can ever take your place."

I felt a strange sense of relief that I had found out now. I wouldn't have to waste half my life being kept in the dark.

I got up to go to the restroom, and when I came out, I found a very smug Daisy waiting for me.

She was leaning against the wall with a cup of coffee, grinning like a predator. "Sutton, look at you. Even with your family's money and status, you were born to be unloved. Miles dumped you, and Caleb belongs to me."

Under the flickering lights, I could see the malice in her eyes.

She counted on her fingers and laughed. "You probably don't know this, but Caleb told me you're a complete bore in bed. Maybe I should find some guys to teach you a thing or two."

I couldn't take it anymore. I swung my hand and gave her a hard slap across the face.

She didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled and poured the hot coffee down her own arm. She clutched her face as tears began to stream down.

"Sutton, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have tried to take him from you!"

A second later, Caleb's voice roared with fury. "Sutton! What the hell are you doing?"

Before I could even process it, a palm landed heavily across my own face.

I clutched my burning cheek, unable to believe that Caleb would ever hit me.

The force was so strong that my ears were ringing. I could only see the raw hatred and disgust in Caleb's eyes.

Daisy looked up with a pale face, her arm trembling as she showed off the red, scalded skin.

"It's okay, Caleb. I know Sutton is still mad about Miles and me. I understand."

"It's my fault. I just wanted to convince her to be a good wife to you, but I didn't realize she was still obsessed with Miles."

"I know Miles still has feelings for her too. I just wanted you guys to be happy."

With every word she spoke, Caleb's expression grew darker.

"Sutton, how can you be so pathetic?"

Even with my ears ringing, I heard those words clearly. All these years, I had kept my distance from Miles just so Caleb wouldn't feel insecure. We lived in the same neighborhood and I hadn't spoken to him once.

Caleb knew that. But now, because of a few lies from Daisy, he was looking at me like I was his worst enemy.