Chapter 7

My mom asked, "Preston's car is still downstairs, Lex. Aren't you going down?" I shook my head at her. "Just ignore him." Sure enough, two hours later, his car finally pulled away. After what happened, my parents were heartbroken for me, even cutting off business ties with the Gales. Everyone in Novaton was gossiping, trying to guess what had happened between our families. A canceled wedding was one thing, but breaking business ties, too? Those who'd been there started spreading rumors, saying I'd thrown a jealous fit at the ceremony and made such a scene that no one could salvage it. At the next event I attended, the looks I got were full of contempt. "So that's her. The shameless homewrecker who ruined her cousin's wedding." Someone even tried to "accidentally" splash red wine on me as I walked by. At that moment, a chest I didn't expect but somehow felt familiar pressed against me, shielding me from the wine. I looked up and caught a flicker of emotion in Preston's eyes.