Chapter 4

Ethan froze, then tilted his head in exasperation.

"Mandy, playing hard to get only works on certain people."

"It doesn't work on me."

I still gripped the seat back tightly, refusing to let go.

He let out a cold laugh and shoved his hands into his pockets, releasing me.

"You're really going to be like this?"

"Yes. Unless we break up, don't expect me to do anything for you."

Ethan ran his tongue over his lower lip, glancing at Wendy.

After just a moment, he quietly said, "Fine."

I got out of the car and brushed past Ethan.

He whispered a warning.

"If you take your anger out on Wendy on purpose, don't blame me for being ruthless and leaving you here."

People from both wedding convoys stood along the roadside.

I walked in my wedding dress and heels toward the other car.

People whispered to each other, smirks on their faces.

In the ten-million-dollar Mercedes SUV, Wendy sat draped in white, filling the entire back seat.

She looked pure and elegant beyond words.

Leaning back in her seat, she smiled and extended her foot.

"Sorry to trouble you, Mandy!"

"We studied medicine together in college. Who knew I'd twist my ankle on my wedding day and still get taken care of by a classmate? I'm so lucky!"

"Ethan, you'd better treasure such a kind and caring bride."

"If you dare bully her, I'll beat you up."

Ethan gazed at Wendy, his eyes full of happy smiles.

I crouched down and lifted Wendy's foot to examine the injury.

"Ah!"

"Mandy Foster! What are you doing?"

Ethan yanked me away and cradled Wendy's foot like it was precious jade.

I fell hard onto the asphalt.

My palms scraped and bled.

"Wendy, Mandy didn't even touch you yet! What are you screaming about?!"

My bridesmaid pointed at Wendy and yelled.

"And you, Ethan—what's your problem? Doctors can't treat injuries without causing some pain!"

"This bitch screams once and you shove Mandy like that?!"

"You—!"

Ethan's chest heaved. He knew he was in the wrong and had to swallow his anger.

Reluctantly, he grabbed my shoulder and helped me up.

"Sorry. I overreacted."

Wendy stuck out her tongue playfully.

"Mandy, I'm sorry! You know me—I'm terrified of pain. Sorry about that!"

I didn't want to hear any more of this. I just wanted to bandage her up and get out of here.

"Do you have ice? Gauze?"

"We have gauze, but no ice. Just frozen bottled water."

"Bring both."

Seeing my complete lack of emotion, Ethan's heart beat uneasily.

He tried to help several times, but I subtly kept my distance.

I dampened the gauze and wrapped it around her swollen ankle.

"Ah!"

Wendy kicked me in the face.

I lost my balance and fell again.

"Sorry, sorry, Mandy! I really didn't mean it this time."

I lowered my head and took a deep breath.

I didn't see Ethan's instinctive move to catch me.

"Wendy, Mandy's been crouching for so long. Stop messing with her."

Wendy pouted and shot Ethan a playful look.

"I'll apologize for Wendy. Let me help you up."

I pushed him away, polite but distant.

"No need. Thank you."

I finished the last steps of treatment.

"Without ice, you'll need to pour cold water on the gauze every half hour to reduce the swelling."

"Don't do strenuous exercise. Don't stand for long periods."

Wendy examined her foot from different angles.

"It's wrapped so ugly. Thanks, though."

I walked back toward my wedding car without looking back.

Ethan bumped shoulders with his groomsmen, speaking quietly.

"See? Told you she was playing hard to get. I knew it. All that 'break up' stuff—she's just trying to get a rise out of me."

"Ethan's got her figured out completely."

"Women, man. You can't give them too much face or they'll walk all over you."

I said nothing. I opened the car door, grabbed my purse, and took my two bridesmaids with me.

Then I walked toward the person coming to get me.