Chapter 43: Rehearsed


    Aware that Bree had arrived, Trent did his best not to look at her. He wanted to; he knew she looked


    gorgeous in that green dress without even turning his head that direction. But Monica didn’t need to


    know Bree had anything to do with his discovery of her cheating, nor did she need to know that he had


    feelings for Bree, that he’d been in love with her for at least a decade and wasn’t sure how he’d ever


    stop loving her, even if he did go through with the wedding.


    Monica had made more promises in thest few hours than she ever had in the whole time they’d been


    dating. She had sworn she’d never, ever leave his sight again, if that’s what Trent wanted. He could


    trust her--she swore. It had only happened once. It was so long ago, she hardly remembered it. She’d


    been so drunk….


    He’d given her the benefit of the doubt, though he wasn’t sure why. He wished he could get ahold of


    Hank to hear his side of the story. If Hank said something different, like it wasn’t that long ago, or it had


    happened more than once, he’d believe him. Monica had every reason in the world to lie to him, and


    Hank had none.


    But he’d only gotten his friend on the phone for a few seconds before he’d hung up on him. All he’d


    gotten out was, “Hank, we need to talk. I know--” and Hank had dropped the call. Trent had tried to call


    him back a dozen times but gotten nowhere.


    Then, he’d gone to talk to his parents. His mother had been honest like always, saying she’d never


    liked Monica and this was all the more reason why he shouldn’t marry her. His father had been a little


    more diplomatic, saying Trent needed to give it some thought. Of course, if he needed some more


    time, he should wait. He didn’t have to get married tomorrow, even if it did cost him a bit of money. He


    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    had money, after all. Money wasn’t the issue.


    Monica was.


    She’d lied and cheated. He didn’t know if he really loved her. He knew he loved someone else. Why


    was he still sitting here? He nced around and saw all the people waiting for them to get started.


    Some would understand; some wouldn''t. More people were on their way-ing inter that night or


    in the morning. What would those people think? He could pay them back for their travel expenses, but


    again, that wasn’t the point.


    Everyone would want to know what happened, why he’d called it off. How embarrassing would it be to


    have to admit his bride was sleeping with his best man--and he’d had no idea? When people got a


    divorce, there were questions, but a simple, “We just weren’t getting along” was sufficient. In this case,


    people would demand details.


    He heard a cheer go up in the back and turned to see Hank was there. Bree must’ve called him. She


    was the only one who could’ve convinced him toe. He looked like he’d been crying. Trent gave


    him a small smile, and Hank seemed to rx. Again, Trent should be furious with him. He should want


    to punch him in the face. He knew if Hank had slept with Bree, he wouldn’t ever want to speak to him


    again. But he didn’t care as much that Hank had slept with Monica--why was that?


    He looked at the woman sitting next to him and knew the answer immediately. He didn’t love Monica.


    Maybe he never had. He ran a hand through his hair and turned to tell her he wanted out.


    “Please, Trent,” she said through barred teeth, with tears in her eyes, before he could say anything at


    all. “Don’t do this. Not now, okay? Let’s talk about it againter. Okay? Let’s just… get through the


    rehearsal.”


    Blowing out a deep breath, Trent nodded. The pastor was ready, and he stood, hoping to get this over


    with quickly so that he would have time to think. Marrying Monica just seemed wrong, but he had no


    idea how to get out.