Chapter 2: The Man Who Wasn't Supposed to Be There
Ashley looked as if she'd rather jump into the fountain than finish her sentence.
Brianna grabbed her wrist.
“Don't you dare.””
“Let go of me,” Ashley said.
“I'm warning you.””
“And I'm tired of lying for you!””
The argument drew more attention than the Porsche had. A valet slowed his cart near the entrance, and two women walking toward the hotel stopped to listen.
I held the envelope against my chest.
“Somebody explain what's happening,” I said.
Brianna released Ashley and turned toward me with tears gathering in her eyes.
“She's been drinking. You know how Ashley gets when she's had champagne.””
Ashley laughed bitterly.
“I had one glass.””
“Then act like it!””
I watched Brianna carefully.
Three years of loving someone teaches you their habits. I knew how she looked when she was genuinely upset. I knew the little crease between her eyebrows when she was trying not to cry.
This was different.
Her eyes kept darting toward the hotel entrance.
She wasn't afraid of losing me.
She was afraid of someone arriving.
“Ashley,” I said, “who's Marcus?””
Before she could answer, the hotel's revolving doors turned.
A tall man in a navy suit stepped outside carrying a white birthday cake decorated with pink roses. He looked to be in his early thirties, with neatly trimmed hair and the polished confidence of someone accustomed to getting what he wanted.
He scanned the parking lot.
Then he saw Brianna.
His face brightened.
“There you are, sweetheart!””
Brianna went completely still.
The man walked toward us, smiling, until his gaze landed on the Porsche.
“Wow,” he said.
“You weren't kidding about the surprise.””
He stopped beside Brianna and kissed her cheek.
She flinched.
It was a tiny movement, but I saw it.
So did Ashley.
The stranger finally looked at me.
“I'm Marcus,” he said, extending his free hand.
“Brianna's fiancé.””
The word hung in the air.
Fiancé.
I looked at Brianna.
She stared at the pavement.
Marcus's hand remained extended between us.
“Ethan Carter,” I said.
He shook my hand firmly.
“Ah, Ethan. The cousin.””
I didn't move.
“The what?””
Marcus gave a small laugh, assuming he'd misunderstood my reaction.
“Her cousin. Brianna told me you two grew up together. Said you'd be joining the family birthday celebration.””
He looked between us.
“Wait. Don't tell me she hasn't introduced us properly.””
I felt something cold settle in my stomach.
“No,” I said.
“She hasn't.””
Marcus's smile faded.
He looked at Brianna.
“Sweetheart?””
Brianna reached for his arm.
“Marcus, this isn't a good time.””
“Why not?””
“Because you're making a scene.””
He glanced at the gathered friends, the old sedan, and the Porsche.
“I came to surprise you with a cake. How am I making a scene?””
Ashley stepped forward.
“Marcus, you deserve to know the truth.””
Brianna spun toward her.
“SHUT UP!””
Her shout echoed against the hotel's stone facade.
Marcus nearly dropped the cake.
“Brianna!”” he exclaimed.
“What is wrong with you?””
She pressed both hands against her temples.
“Everyone needs to calm down. This is a misunderstanding.””
I held up the Porsche key.
“Then help me understand. How long have you been engaged to him?””
Marcus looked at the key, then at me.
“You bought her the Porsche?””
“It's her birthday,” I replied.
He gave a slow nod, as though pieces of a puzzle were beginning to fit together.
“Interesting.””
Brianna rushed toward me.
“Baby, please. Can we talk somewhere private?””
I looked at the man who believed she was going to marry him.
Then I looked at the woman who'd just called me worthless because she thought I'd bought her an inexpensive car.
“No,” I said.
“We've had three years of private conversations. Tonight, everyone can listen.””
Her face hardened.
“You're being cruel.””
“Cruel?””
“You're trying to humiliate me in front of my friends!””
I almost laughed.
“You did that yourself.””
Marcus set the cake on a nearby stone ledge.
“Brianna, tell me what's going on.””
She reached for his hand, but he pulled it away.
“You told me you were spending tonight with your sister,” he said.
“You said your family had rented a private room upstairs.””
“I was going to explain.””
“When?””
“After my birthday.””
“Your birthday is tonight!””
Ashley wiped her eyes.
“She told Marcus that Ethan was her cousin. She told Ethan that Marcus was nobody.””
Brianna glared at her.
“You promised me you wouldn't interfere!””
Ashley shook her head.
“I promised I wouldn't embarrass you. I never promised to help you lie forever.””
Marcus looked at me again.
“Can I ask you something, Ethan?””
“Go ahead.””
“Did you know she was engaged?””
“No.””
“Did you know she was planning to marry me?””
“No.””
He nodded slowly.
Then he looked at Brianna.
“Did you tell Ethan you were engaged to me?””
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Marcus took a step back.
“Wow.””
Brianna finally found her voice.
“Marcus, listen. I love you. You know I do.””
He looked at the Porsche.
“Then why were you trying to get this man to propose to you?””
The question silenced everyone.
Brianna's eyes widened.
“I wasn't!””
I lifted the envelope slightly.
“I haven't even shown her what's inside.””
Marcus stared at it.
“What's in the envelope?””
I considered lying. For a second, I wanted to tell him everything was over and walk away with whatever dignity I had left.
But the envelope contained something that could change the entire evening.
Something Brianna had no idea I knew about.
Before I could answer, she seized my arm.
“Ethan, please. You don't understand what we've been through.””
I gently removed her hand.
“Then tell me.””
She looked at Marcus.
Then at Ashley.
Finally, she whispered, “I can explain why I needed both of you.””
Marcus went pale.
“Both of us?”” he repeated.
May you like
Brianna's lips trembled.
And the next words she spoke made me realize that our three-year relationship had been hiding a much bigger lie than an engagement.
