My Amnesiac Husband Asked for Divorce, I Laughed and Walked Away Chapter 02
I stared at that photo, something heavy settling in my chest.
Serena Shaw. Finn’s college girlfriend—the couple that had been the talk of the entire campus. After graduation, she’d gone abroad. Then, for reasons no one knew, they’d broken up. After that, her name became taboo. No one dared mention her in front of him for years.
I’d sent my resume to Caldwell Corp’s admin department with my community college degree, just hoping for a shot. To my surprise, they hired me. And when I went public with Finn, the whole elite circle called me Serena’s substitute.
I zoomed in on the paparazzi photo. Serena wore oversized shades, her skin pale, her figure slender and tall.
I ran to the floor mirror. Round face. Still a little baby fat.
We looked nothing alike.
Some of that weight in my chest lifted, replaced by a strange relief. So I wasn’t a substitute after all.
Zoe: [My wedding’s next week. If you two show up there, no one can talk.]
Tessa: [Always thinking ahead.]
I threw open my closet to find a dress. Tried on a few—the fitted ones all showed a belly now. I patted my stomach. I’d been gaining weight lately, even though I hadn’t been eating much.
Since I had time, I headed to the mall.
I picked out a sea-blue mermaid gown and went to the fitting room. Stepped out to check the mirror—
And there was Finn.
He was standing in front of the same mirror, zipping up a woman’s dress. She was wearing the exact same sea-blue mermaid gown.
We all froze.
Finn’s eyes swept over my waist. After a moment, he said, “That one shows your stomach. Change it.”
I instinctively sucked in. Was it that obvious? But I’d had no appetite lately—I’d barely touched my lattes.
The woman turned, lightly swatting Finn’s arm. “Finn, don’t talk to her like that—you’ll embarrass Miss Vance.” Then she smiled at me. “Hello, Miss Vance. I’m Serena Shaw.”
I smiled back, polite. “Hello.”
Serena turned and pulled out a shapeless gray dress. “This one’s loose. The fabric’s soft. It’d suit Miss Vance’s current state. Would you like to try it?”
I didn’t take it. It was ugly and matronly—my own mother wouldn’t wear it.
But before I could refuse, Finn pushed the gray dress aside, frowning harder. “This doesn’t suit her either. Too old-fashioned. She’s buying clothes for Zoe’s wedding. We’re not officially divorced yet—if she shows up looking a mess, it’s the Caldwell family’s reputation on the line.”
Serena’s smile faltered. Then she said, wounded, “Finn, maybe I shouldn’t go to your friend’s wedding with you. Since Miss Vance will be there, people might talk.”
Finn hesitated.
Zoe was my best friend, but her fiancé was his close buddy.
After a moment, he turned to me. “Are you sure you want to go? Without the Mrs. Caldwell title, people might give you trouble.”
Watching him shield Serena like that, I suddenly felt how hollow it all was.
I gave a dry smile. “I don’t need to go to every friend’s wedding. But Zoe is my best friend. I’m going. And don’t worry—Zoe’s got my back. You don’t need to concern yourself.”
In my heart, Zoe had always been more reliable than him.
When I’d first gone public with Finn, the elite ladies had found every way to tear me down—calling me a country chicken who didn’t know her wine vintages. Zoe had held my hand, taught me to recognize designer logos, coached me on how to handle snide remarks. She’d dragged me to flower-arranging classes and riding lessons, shaping me from a timid little clerk into a deputy director who could hold her own.
I added, “If you think bringing Miss Shaw would be awkward in front of me, you can just skip it.”
Then I turned and walked back into the fitting room.
Finn’s face flickered with something that looked almost hurt—like his goodwill had been thrown back in his face.