Chapter 8 I'd assumed clarity had been achieved, but during my wedding gown fitting, a gaunt reflection materialized in the mirror. Steven shuffled forward, his lips quivering. "Tell me this is a joke. Why are you in a wedding dress? We never officially split. How can you just marry someone else?" I pivoted gracefully, a sardonic smile playing on my lips. "Please, spare me the waterwork. You're the Oscar-worthy performer here." I looked outside the window and found my parents hovering. I added, "You and Andrea are a match made in heaven." He panicked, reaching for my hand. "Did you misunderstand something? Andrea means nothing to me romantically. It's always been you." I sidestepped him as Fiona entered, her expression pleading. "This is enough, Claudia. Marriage isn't child's play. If you've rushed into a license, just annul it. Steven won't mind." Steven bobbed his head vigorously, but I erupted in laughter. "Do you hear how absurd you sound? Isn't Andrea too delicate for IVF? Or is the mortgage crushing you now? Cruise ship losing its sparkle? You need me as bait to keep him hooked?" The bank's collection calls had clued me in. Steven had been quietly footing their house payments for years. They'd never relinquish such a lucrative catch willingly. Genuine remorse would never be in these self-serving souls. Turning to Steven's ashen face, I said, "Modern medicine is a marvel. Get your issue sorted by pros. I'm no miracle worker." Brent jabbed a finger at me, his chest heaving. Blood drained from his face, and he looked as if he'd collapse in the next second. Fiona freaked out, frantically stimulating his pressure points. "Somebody, call 911!" Unfazed, I shed the gown and headed out. Steven's voice cracked behind me. "Claudia..." Levi blocked him. "I'm hands-off on Claudia's family stuff, but you? Back off!" I squeezed Levi's hand reassuringly and faced Steven icily. "Gonna feed me lines like you had no clue?" He stammered, "I only pitched in because they're your family." "What a philanthropist," I mocked, "covering their mortgage anonymously for ages! And I'm the last to know." Words failed him, his mouth agape. 1/2 Chapter 8 +25 Bonus At last, he confessed, "I admit that I had feelings for Andrea once, but you're the one I chose to marry. I'll cut contact with her. Give me another chance." His gaze was earnest. Once, I might have relented, but the phantom choke of seawater lingered, too vivid to ignore. I never wanted to relive that terror. "Am I not that clear enough?" I said. "I'm married and heading to a new life. Stop harassing me." Sirens wailed closer as I clasped Levi's hand and left.