Chapter 38: Novel Drama

Elyse rolled her eyes at Rebekah and left with Freddy. They hailed a taxi to the restaurant. Upon arrival, they entered the bustling hall and encountered Lizzie and several classmates, immediately launching into conversation.

Lizzie quickly brought up a topic she'd read online. “I saw something on the internet a few days ago. Were you really left at the altar, Elyse? How dreadful! How did you end up jilted?”

Elyse looked intently at Lizzie. Their high school relationship had been strained; Lizzie had often sidelined and sometimes bullied Elyse. Nonetheless, Elyse had dismissed these actions as trivial and attended the reunion only to find Lizzie unchanged.

“I heard that story and assumed it was someone else with your name. It’s shocking it was you,” Lizzie continued.

“There’s something you might not know,” Elyse said, referencing a distressing video she’d later posted. “After my phone number was leaked, I was bombarded with calls. Reading those comments was horrifying.”

Overhearing another classmate, Lizzie hypocritically took Elyse’s hand. “It must have been exhausting, trying to marry into wealth and then hastily choosing someone else to save face. But don't worry, it's all in the past.”

A curious onlooker overheard. “Was Elyse looking for a wealthy husband? Did she marry someone else? What happened? I didn't know anything about this! Tell me more!”

Lizzie blinked, feigning innocence. “Elyse, everyone’s curious. May I share your story?”

Elyse remained silent. The wedding had been a humiliating, betrayal-marred ordeal—a nightmare. Clearly, Lizzie intended to embarrass her.

Just as Elyse was about to object, Freddy intervened. “Don’t gossip. It’s been terrible for Elyse. Why add to her pain?”

Lizzie looked at Elyse. “Is it really that terrible? You seem fine. Were you just pretending to be devastated in the video for sympathy?”

Elyse gave a cold smile. “You seem quite pleased with my misfortune.”

Lizzie feigned confusion. “How could I be?”

“You always compared yourself to me in school,” Elyse retorted. “Now I haven’t married a wealthy man, and you’re about to be married. Aren’t you pleased?”

Lizzie remained silent. Elyse was right; she was pleased, but couldn't admit it. She replied, “Don’t be harsh. I only brought it up because everyone was curious. Since you’re uncomfortable, I won’t mention it again.” Turning to her classmates, she added, “Let’s not dwell on gossip. It will only upset Elyse.”

Noticing the tension, the others ceased their inquiries and followed Lizzie to another room.

Freddy looked at Elyse with concern. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Elyse replied, shaking her head.

Her phone vibrated incessantly. Classmates’ group chat messages flooded the screen.

“I’m so curious. Who left Elyse? Wasn’t he wealthy? Lizzie, fill us in when Elyse’s not here.”

“Me too! More gossip!”

With feigned innocence, Lizzie replied, “Look up Theo Ward. His family is incredibly wealthy. Elyse’s family has some wealth, but not on the Ward level.”

“Damn, Theo Ward! My cousin’s joining the Ward family business after graduation. Imagine the connections if Elyse had married into that family!”

“Get real. She’s not marrying into the Ward family. And I heard she married someone disabled, but I’m not sure that’s true.”

“Probably not true. She probably found someone at the last minute to keep up appearances. Maybe they just pretended to get married. Who would marry someone disabled?”

The group found this plausible.

Freddy saw the messages. His expression darkened. “I’m sorry. They didn’t realize you were in the group chat.”

Elyse shook her head. “I understand. Everyone’s curious, but it’s gossip for them; for me, it’s a painful past I’d rather not revisit.”

After a moment, she smiled and showed the ring on her necklace. “Look, I am married. My husband is wonderful. So I have no reason to be sad.”

Freddy nodded and led her back to the room. The atmosphere was tense; Elyse noticed classmates watching like they were observing a play.

She quietly sat down. Someone broke the silence. “Elyse, since you didn’t marry Theo, maybe you should consider Jacob Duffy?”

...