Yet now, seeing her so calm and indifferent, Kellan knew that whatever feelings she once had were long gone.
At Colton and Melany’s wedding, the atmosphere was far from celebratory. Instead, it was thick with whispers. Guests mingled to the sound of wedding music, exchanging sly remarks beneath polite smiles.
“Ever since his divorce, Colton’s career has been in a downward spiral,” one guest whispered, his tone dripping with mockery. “The Green family cut ties with him, and even Mr. Lloyd has blacklisted him from his stores. Offending two major groups at once… now that takes guts.”
Another guest chimed in, her expression smug. “The Stevens family is a mess. Just as Colton’s getting married, his father shows up with some young secretary. Poor Lindy must be seething.”
“Colton’s really lost it over this woman. What’s so special about Melany anyway? Even his grandfather didn’t bother showing up. And I hear this bride’s been married before. Now that the Stevens family’s climbing back up, she’s come crawling back.” They exchanged a knowing glance. “You know why she’s back at this time.”
Their gossip was cut short by a sharp, entitled voice across the room.
“Do you know what kind of place this is? And how did you get invited to my daughter’s wedding? If I looked like you, I’d be too ashamed to step out of my house!”
Francene, already drunk, was berating a waitress with smug indignation. Her slurred insults caused several guests to frown, but she was too far gone to notice.
“Do you even know who my son-in-law is? He’s the heir to the Stevens Group, and you dare serve this trash at his wedding?” Across the room, Lindy’s expression stiffened with second-hand embarrassment.
As curious eyes turned her way, she forced a smile and approached Francene, gently taking her arm. “Francene, there’s no need to make a scene. If the service isn’t to your liking, just tell the manager, and they’ll fix it,” she said softly, trying to maintain decorum. “There’s no need to get upset.”
But Francene, seeing this young waitress, only grew more furious, thinking back to how Rebecca and Allison had humiliated her over the dress incident.
Fueled by alcohol and rage, her temper flared unchecked. “I’m fine! I’ve got the constitution of a horse. Throwing a little tantrum won’t hurt me!”
Lindy’s smile faltered. Did this fool really not understand her attempt to smooth things over?
Before she could respond, the secretary Colton’s father had brought along let out a coy laugh, clearly unfazed by Lindy’s growing frustration. “Mrs. Johnson certainly has… an innocent charm, doesn’t she?”
Lindy’s glare could have frozen water. Was this woman trying to escalate the argument by mocking Francene? But before Lindy could react, Francene burst into laughter, clearly pleased with the remark. “Of course! I’ve always been kind-hearted and pure!”
Lindy was left speechless. What an ignorant nouveau riche!
Francene’s drunken antics had already soured the atmosphere for many guests, who whispered among themselves that attending this wedding was quickly turning into a regrettable waste of time. But as the reception continued, it became clear that the drama was just beginning.
When it came time for the bride and groom to share their wedding toast, a tall, burly man suddenly pushed his way into the room, his eyes fixed on Colton. “Listen up, Colton! No matter what, I still think of Melany as my sister. Now that you’re marrying her, you better treat her right, or you’ll have me to deal with!”
Colton’s face flushed with fury. He knew exactly who this was – Melany’s ex-husband from abroad. The audacity of him showing up here, of all places, infuriated Colton. But, surrounded by influential guests, he managed to restrain his anger. With a cold glare, he signaled for security to escort the man out.
But Melany’s ex refused to leave. He raised a glass, turning to Melany with a smile. “Even though we’re no longer together, I still wish you happiness.”
Melany, unbothered, smiled softly and raised her own glass. “Thank you. Even though we’re divorced, you’ll always be like a brother to me.” She drank the wine without hesitation. Colton was speechless, barely containing his rage. He knew Melany was gentle and easygoing, but this was their wedding day. And her ex-husband, clearly flying in just to stir up trouble, had managed to tarnish it.
“Brother?” Colton’s voice was low and tight with anger. He leaned toward Melany, his words laced with venom. “Why didn’t you tell me you invited your ex-husband to our wedding?”
Melany looked at him with wide-eyed disbelief. “Colton, don’t you trust me? If there was anything between us, do you think I’d let him show up at our wedding so openly? He’s here to show you that we’ve both moved on.”
Colton’s jaw clenched. “Think about the occasion.”
“What occasion?” Melany countered. “When I sent Allison the invitation, you didn’t object. This is about you not trusting me. I never questioned your relationship with her – why can’t you extend me the same courtesy?”
A bride and groom bickering in front of their wedding guests was unheard of in Ontdale.
By the time the event wound down, many guests had already left, their faces displaying amused smirks as they gossiped about the spectacle they had just witnessed. As soon as the reception ended, Lindy, seething with rage, pulled Melany into her room.
“Melany,” Lindy began, her face tight with fury. “Now that you’re married into the Stevens family, you need to cut ties with people from your past. You’re a wife now. Your duty is to run this household and present yourself properly. Today’s wedding was a disgrace.”
Lindy was so overwhelmed with frustration that her chest heaved with every breath. She had never been so humiliated.
But Melany, calm and composed, glanced down at her wedding ring and sneered inwardly. The old woman thought she could control her now that she was part of the family?
In a soft, almost placating voice, she responded, “I’ll take full responsibility for what happened today, but I have nothing to hide. Besides, my parents are gifting me ten million dollars as a wedding present. If I were truly involved with someone else, would they invest so much in our marriage? I love Colton, and only Colton.”
Melany’s voice was sweet, but beneath the surface, her thoughts were cold and calculating. Lindy thought she’d be a docile daughter-in-law, a glorified housemaid?
She was no Allison – Melany had married into the Stevens family to take control, to become the hostess, not to serve anyone.
Lindy’s anger faltered at the mention of ten million dollars. Her face softened, and she even forced a smile. The money would certainly come in handy, especially with her family constantly draining her resources.
“Melany, you’ve misunderstood me,” Lindy said, her tone now warm and conciliatory. “I want nothing more than for you and Colton to live harmoniously. The Stevens family business will eventually belong to both of you. Do you think I’d let some outsider threaten that?”
Lindy’s smile widened as she added, “I’ll speak with Colton later. He’s upset now, but that’s only because he cares for you.”
“Thank you, Lindy.” Melany’s smile was as sweet as honey, her tone gently reminding Lindy of her new status as her daughter-in-law. She then turned her thoughts to seeing her ex-husband out the door – after all, Melany was never one to burn all her bridges.
Even if he had lost his shine, a star that once burned brightly still retained some pull, and who knew when that influence might prove useful?
Just as she stepped into the hallway, Colton appeared before her, his expression unreadable. “Where are you off to?” he asked.
“I was going to see my ex-husband off,” she replied with a measured smile. “I know I made a misstep inviting him, but his intentions were pure. He didn’t mean any harm.”
Melany was no stranger to the power of humility or the art of compromise. Timing was everything.
Her ex-husband had once lavished her with affection and wealth without a second thought. Today, he had even traveled across the seas to witness her wedding. Though he treated her like a sister now, the unspoken adoration in his eyes was impossible to miss.
Melany had a knack for keeping doors slightly ajar, just in case. What if fortune smiled upon her ex once again?
She reflected on his past generosity, then thought of Lindy’s disdainful glance and how her face had lit up when discussing the ten million dowry. A bitter resentment began to brew inside her.
“So, Colton, you don’t mind, do you?”
Colton, however, seemed oblivious to the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind.
“I’ve already sent your ex-husband on his way,” he said flatly. “And your parents are settled at a hotel.”
Thinking about the circus that had unfolded at the wedding, he frowned. Today had been far from what he had envisioned. His mind swirled with the silent judgment of the guests – he had become a laughingstock in their eyes.
“Everything was a mess today. The whole thing was rushed!” His voice was tight with frustration.
If only he had taken more time with her family, gotten to know them better. He hadn’t anticipated they would be so unpredictable. He should have found a way to smooth things over.
Melany’s ears caught the slight sneer in his tone. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and tears welled up as her lips quivered.
“Colton, what are you trying to say?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Are you blaming my family? Do you think they humiliated you? I didn’t know my ex would show up. He came to celebrate with us, not to cause trouble!” Her words caught in her throat as tears threatened to spill.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.