Hugh, though? Oh, he went big. His post had a full collage, zoomed–in details of the certificate, and this dramatic caption: [The beginning of forever.] Subtlety? Not his style
Cue chaos.
My inbox exploded:
[You married Hugh Parker? The Hugh Parker?]
[OMG, girl, you bagged the Hugh? How???]
It was hilarious. I shot back replies, laughing at their shock. Then the phone calls started–mostly from my family’s business contacts. They were all congratulating me and, of course, slipping in questions about “future opportunities.”
Everything was good vibes until ‘his‘ voice cut through the buzz.
“Paige, did you really get married? Tell me it’s not true… Please, tell me it’s fake.”
Danny,
“Sorry to disappoint,” I said, cool as ice.
Then, of course, Mia chimed in. She had that fake–angel tone down to a science. “Paige, don’t do this. I know you’re jealous. I’m sorry, okay? I’ll leave the country if that’s what you want. Just… don’t break Danny’s heart any more than you already have.”
1/2
Chapter 5
God, the drama. She’d have men eating out of her hand with that performance. But me? Nah.
Before I could clap back, Danny snapped. “Shut up! This has nothing to do with you!”
I actually froze. Danny? Standing up to Mia? That was new.
Not that it mattered.
I hung up and let the silence do its thing. Peace restored.
***
+25 BONUS
A few minutes later, my phone blew up with group chat notifications.
Turns out, I’d missed one group chat–the one with Danny’s friends.
They’d caught wind of my marriage but hadn’t gotten all the details.
[Did you see her post? She married some old guy. After Danny dumped her, only an old man would want her.]
[Right? She’s so extra. Like, apologizing to Danny was that hard?]
[Mia’s way better anyway. She deserves the spotlight.]
It felt deliberate, like they wanted me to see it.
I was about to leave when Danny–who never joined their drama–popped in.
[Enough. Stop talking nonsense. Mia and I are just friends.]
Then, he tagged me directly.
[I’ve only ever loved Paige Hart. She’s my one and only. My wife will always be her.]
I actually shivered.
I typed a quick reply: [Gross.]
Hit send. Left the group. Forever.
