Page 127 of Fauxmance

"Hayden must've been devastated," I murmured.

"He was," Annabelle said. "It only got worse when he found out she'd been seeing another guy behind his back."

My eyes closed as I shook my head.

"He was the heir to an oil company," Annabelle said with distaste. "She ran off with him, probably for the promise of more money, but I heard he dumped her not too long after."

Good, I thought. It was the least she deserved.

If I could go back to the other night, I wasn't sure I'd be able to stop myself from slapping Rachel. She'd known the memories that would bring back for Hayden. And yet she'd shown up anyway.

Only it was about a year too late.

Poor Hayden.

"What happened to Hayden?" I asked.

"My cousin couldn't stand being here. Even though Grandma Constance managed to bribe every paper in the known universe and have everyone who knew sign NDAs, he still wanted to leave."

Annabelle shrugged.

"I can't really blame him."

"Me either," I said. I shook my head as I thought through the story. "Rachel should've just been up front with him. It might've been hard, but nothing is as bad as what she did."

"I agree, Maggie," she said.

"No wonder he doesn't like weddings."

She nodded, and I knew I finally had the missing piece to the puzzle.

"I think I hate Rachel," I said.

"You and me both," Annabelle said then placed a hand on my arm. "I just wanted you to know because I think Hayden deserves better than her. He deserves someone like you."

She looked me over then met my eyes.

"I think you should tell him how you feel."

"Don't worry," I said. "I will."

Just then Hayden appeared, walking towards us down the hall.

"There you guys are," he said. "Annabelle, they're looking for you."

"I was just about to go back," she said.

With one last encouraging nod, she left us there in the hallway.

"How did the conversation with your sister go?" he asked.

"Fine," I said quietly.

"I was waiting for you to come back. These things are almost as bad as weddings."

My eyes filled as I looked at him, unable to see anything except him standing in a suit, looking hopeful, waiting for the woman he loved to walk through the doors.

"Maggie," he said slowly. "What's wrong?"

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