His Trial Bride, My Exit Plan

Warren held his cheek, staring like I'd just slapped the sky. "You hit me?"

Flora shrieked, shoved me. "Are you insane? How dare you hit Warren?! I'm telling Dad! He'll kick you out!"

I rolled my eyes. "What, you think you're bulletproof? FYI—false accusations are illegal. And you two? Playing engagement like it's some dumb skit? Zero shame."

Behind them, the makeup crew started whispering.

"Did he really bring his side chick to humiliate the real fiancée? Trash move."

"And that side chick was acting all superior too. Gross cheating couple..."

Warren's face twisted. Then he snapped—came at me, fists clenched. "You've lost it! Totally insane!"

I didn't move. Let him try. I'd have him cuffed in five with the bruises to back it up.

Didn't have to, though.

A hand caught his punch mid-air.

Then came that voice. Calm. Ice-cold.

"Warren, what are you doing?"

He froze. Spun around. "Uncle Austin?! What are you doing here?"

Austin didn't blink. "Didn't know I needed an invite."

Warren shut up fast.

Flora jumped in instead, dabbing at fake tears. "Mr. Anderson, please don't be upset. It's all my fault. I should've stopped Mia. Warren only snapped because of me."

Austin didn't even glance at her. His eyes were locked on me. "What happened?"

Flora rushed ahead. "It was just a silly joke! Mia freaked out, dumped Warren in front of everyone, then dragged in some random guy to fake being her groom. I followed her 'cause I was worried—and then she slapped Warren!"

Warren jumped in, red-eyed. "Even my dad's never hit me! And she smacked me in public! She needs to be put in her place. We're canceling the wedding—let her act out her little drama alone!"

Lie after lie, like they were building a wall.

Austin gave one nod. Looked straight at me. "You slapped him?"

I held his gaze, nodded.

Warren jabbed a finger at me. "See? She admitted it! This shameless woman—without some rich guy backing her, she wouldn't even get near a car like that!"

Austin raised a brow and fished out a key fob. The car logo was clearly visible on the car key.

"You mean MY car?" he said, all chill.

Warren's face went crimson. No words.

Flora tried to laugh it off. "Big misunderstanding! We must've gotten it wrong. Mia said she found someone else, so we just assumed she meant... you know, a random guy. That's why we thought the car was rented."

Austin let out a cold chuckle. "No misunderstanding. She DID find someone else."

He looked at me.

"I'm her groom."