Read Deceived 4 - The Wedding for Free Online

to me.”
    This time a loud gas p echoed through the room and my stomach turned. My mind refused to register the significance of her words. I swiveled my body toward Patrick, gripping the arms of my chair with white knuckles. My heart was pounding, trying to drum its way out of my chest. “What is this about?” I felt the screams of frustration at the back of my throat but I stilled my nerves and in a calm voice asked, “Patrick…why does this woman claim that you’re her husband?”
    Confusion and irritation washed over his face and for the first time I heard Patrick stutter, as he ripped out the words impatiently. “Just…g-give me a second, hon, and I’ll straighten this out.”
    He shoved his chair back, grabbed the woman roughly by her arm and escorted her out of the room.
    The room was in complete silence as I spun the other direction, toward Ryan, the unfortunate victim of circumstances and the receptor of my current wrath. My stomach was still clenched and my heart was still pounding. “Is this some kind of sick bachelor party joke? Because if it is, it’s not funny,” I spat.
    Ryan threw his hands up in protest. “Chloe, I swear. I have absolutely nothing to do with this and I have no idea what’s going on. It’s probably some desperate attempt on her part to cause trouble for Patrick. I told you…she’s one crazy bitch.”
    I slumped down in my chair and put my face in my hands , just waiting for the onslaught of questions from my parents, and Patrick’s parents, and everybody in the whole damn room. Although I couldn’t see through my fingers, I heard Elizabeth mutter under her breath, “It probably wasn’t meant to be. These things happen for a reason…”
    When I lifted my head, Elyse was at my side. “Don’t worry, Chloe. Patrick will straighten this out. It’s probably just a misunderstanding.” She pulled her chair closer and patted my hand.
    I knew Patrick’s mom didn’t like me much, but now it was obvious. I don’t measure up to girls Patrick grew up with, girls like Stephanie...rich girls. That was okay. I wouldn’t let her get to me. I was marrying Patrick whether she liked it or not. Well, I hoped so, anyway. What was taking so long?
    After what seemed like an eternity , Patrick returned to our dinner party alone. His eyes were glued to the floor. Not a good sign. He couldn’t look at me. Elyse jumped up when she saw him coming and returned to her seat. As he strode across the room toward me, I could feel the tears building up behind my eyes. Everyone was watching and holding their breath. He stopped next to me, held out his hand and said softly, “Honey, I need to talk to you. Please come outside with me.”
    I pushed his hand away. “ Whatever you have to say, you say it here in front of everyone.” I knew by his demeanor and tone that it was bad news and I needed support from my family and friends. It was better to get it out in the open, so I asked him, point blank, “Are you really married to that woman?”
    He hesitated for a second and then swallowed hard. “Yes, but I can explain—”
    I rose and faced Patrick, folding my arms across my chest and speaking with a steady, even tone. “Please do. I think everybody would very much like to hear your explanation as to how you can be marrying me tomorrow and yet you’re still married to a woman I haven’t even met…no wait…a woman I haven’t even heard about, until this very moment.”
    Patrick’s gaze flicked around the room as he took in the stares from all the stunned faces leaning in our direction, waiting, sitting on pins and needles along with me, for whatever explanation Patrick could possibly have for the nightmarish situation. For once, even his mother was speechless and I could just imagine what thoughts must have been running through Gerald’s mind as he contemplated the possibility of calling off the wedding. I couldn’t believe I had that thought. I chewed the inside of my lip as I pondered. Did