Chapter 17
After speaking, Claire hung up before Zane could respond.
Then she deleted and blocked all contact information for Zane and any friends connected to him.
She didn’t want to have any further contact with any of them.
Besides, she had indeed accepted Jackson’s proposal.
Although she and Jackson hadn’t been together for very long, their chemistry rivaled couples who’d dated for years.
As Jackson often joked, “We’re a match made in heaven–destined to grow old together.”
Now, between finishing her research and planning their wedding, Claire was constantly spinning like a top, wishing days had 48 hours.
That evening, Jackson pulled her into his usual bear hug the moment she stepped through the door. “Claire, there’s something… I need to tell you in advance.” His tone was uncharacteristically serious.
She looked at him with curiosity. “What is it? What’s got you so solemn?”
“I have a distant cousin who’s coming to stay with us for a few days. He’ll be attending our wedding.”
Claire nodded with a smile, teasing, “That’s it? You scared me!”
But Jackson nuzzled into her neck like a sulky puppy: “I just don’t want anyone disrupting our private world! If it weren’t for Mom insisting… I wouldn’t have agreed!”
She patted his back, comforting him softly:
“It’s okay, it’s just for a few days, no big deal.”
“Worst case, your cousin can stay in the guest room downstairs, and we’ll stay upstairs. It
won’t affect us much.”
The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
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Hearing Claire say this, Jackson’s mood improved considerably.
Claire thought it would just be an ordinary relative coming to stay for a few days.
But she never imagined that this “ORDINARY RELATIVE” would be Zane.
When she saw Zane, Claire froze in place.
It had been several months since they’d last met, and he seemed to have lost weight.
Although his attire suggested he had dressed up carefully, the exhaustion in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.
Especially after seeing Claire, his eyes filled with complex, difficult–to–interpret emotions.
Claire felt confused.
He had a wife and child now and should be living happily: Why would he look this way?
But her confusion lasted only a moment.
Because Claire knew very clearly that they both had their own lovers now.
They were no longer part of each other’s lives.
So after just a glance, she averted her gaze.
Whether intentionally or not, in front of Zane, Jackson held Claire tightly in his arms.
With a smile, he introduced her to Zane: “This is my fiancée, Claire Simpson. Thank you coming all this way to attend our wedding.”
Zane’s gaze fixed on Jackson’s hand around Claire’s waist, and he asked through gritted teeth:
for
“How did you two meet?”
The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
