Chapter 12

Caroline heard every word.

The last of her doubt crumbled. Ethan hadn't just been hiding something. He'd been hiding everything.

She sobbed into her mother's shoulder. "Mom, I can't do this. I can't marry him."

Margaret stroked her hair. "We're leaving. Right now. This family is a snake pit."

"A mistress's son trying to pass himself off with a fake mother of the groom? Absolutely not."

She packed Caroline into the car herself.

Meanwhile Ethan was sitting with Vivienne, smug, waiting for Caroline to crawl back. Then his phone buzzed.

Ethan. You and your mistress mother can go to hell. We're done.

I'll ship your things back once I'm home. Don't contact me again.

All the color drained out of his face.

He didn't know how she'd found out. Who had told her.

He tried to call her. Busy tone. Again. Busy tone.

She'd blocked his number.

All of Vivienne's coaching meant nothing now. Vivienne tried to keep him grounded — play it cool, she'll come crawling — but he shoved her aside and tore out of the venue after Caroline.

Too late.