My Stand-In Groom Is A Secret Tycoon (Audrey)

Chapter 3 An Outsider

Sitting on the garden swing that Audrey's parents had lovingly built for her, Eliza wrapped her arms around Dominic's neck and leaned in for a kiss.

The swing creaked, and Dominic was taken aback for just a moment before he jumped right in and wrapped his arms around Eliza's slim waist.

The wind blew gently through the fluttering petals as Eliza and Dominic shared a passionate kiss. Audrey's heart was breaking, and Eliza's moans, ringing in her ears, was making it hurt a little bit more with each passing moment. Audrey thought she had moved past it, but seeing that scene brought all the sadness flooding back. It was not in her nature to easily take on other people's emotions.

At first, Dominic pursued her for ages until he finally won her over. Even once they were a couple, it took a while for her to fully let him into her heart.

Between her hectic college life and everything else, she still made time to cook for him on more than a few occasions. But over time, she noticed a change in Dominic. His warmth faded, and she could feel the distance growing between them. Each time he seemed indifferent, she found herself questioning whether she wasn't doing enough to keep him interested. As the days went on, it became clear that everything she gave felt more like wishful thinking than real love.

The memory of Dominic who once held her hand and promised to treat her like a treasure only dragged her deeper into despair. She realized it was because she refused to have sex with him before marriage. Audrey felt a pang in her chest and couldn't help but smile bitterly. Eliza seemed to have no problem doing all those things she struggled with, and deep down, she almost felt like she deserved to be left behind. It turned out that Eliza and Dominic were the match made in heaven-a bitch and a scumbag.noveldrama

Audrey pulled her gaze away, steeling herself as she approached the house. Just as she reached for the door, it swung open.

Fiona's eyes widened in surprise when she saw Audrey in a wedding dress. "Audrey, you're back!" she exclaimed. They hadn't attended Audrey's wedding because Eliza had fallen ill, and the guilt still lingered. "Yeah, just came to grab a few things," Audrey replied, noting the strange look on Fiona's face. A sharp pang of hurt shot through her.

Fiona had once been her dearest mother, but now she looked at Audrey like Audrey was an outsider-as if Audrey didn't belong here anymore. After all, their real daughter had returned, and there was no place for Audrey now. Pushing the bitterness aside, Audrey tried to step past Fiona into the house, but then she heard a voice call out, "Audrey." Panic clung to his tone as hurried footsteps approached.

It was then that Fiona caught sight of Eliza and Dominic in the small garden. One glance told her everything about what they'd been up to.

Fiona felt a rush of guilt and pity as she looked at Audrey. Slowly, Audrey turned back and saw Dominic-his mouth marked with smudged lipstick, his shirt wrinkled.

His eyes looked like they had a million things to say, but she wasn't interested in hearing any of it.

She shot him a cold look, and he could feel his heart drop. Those eyes that used to be warm and full of love now felt like ice. "Audrey, the wedding-" he started but was cut off.

"I'm so sorry, Audrey! It's all my fault!" Eliza rushed over, tears in her eyes, as she grabbed Audrey's hand. Audrey instinctively pulled away.

Eliza, taken aback, continued with tears streaming down her face, "If I hadn't fainted, your wedding with Dominic wouldn't have been postponed. You can blame me. Dominic was just worried about me. He didn't mean to leave you hanging."

With red eyes, she added, "Just blame it on me. You could have handled it without Dominic. Meanwhile, I can't seem to do anything right-I just keep relying on him."

Her words, wrapped in a veneer of apology, felt like daggers to Audrey's heart.

Chapter 4 Eliza's True Color

Eliza was clearly shameless. It was just so frustrating to see. 'How on earth did I used to be best friends with someone like her?' Audrey wondered.

The moment Audrey let out her sneering, cold snort, the whole vibe in the room changed. "Eliza, you're so full of yourself now, huh? You should be living the dream after I let you take everything from me, yet here you are, sulking all the time. Aren't you tired of it?" Eliza's expression froze for a second, but then she went back to her usual look of hurt. She choked out, "Audrey, I think you've got it all wrong. I never meant for it to happen!"

She put on a heartbroken act, wiping away fake tears as she continued, "It's all because I had such a rough childhood, and that's made me so weak. I just end up being a burden. I'm so sorry! I'll just leave."

She started to head for the door, but Fiona, who had been feeling heartbroken watching this unfold, quickly stopped her. "Eliza, come back! This is your home. You don't have to go," Fiona said gently.

Although they hadn't done the paternity test yet, Fiona had already decided in her heart that Eliza was her daughter. There was no way she could let her leave. Besides, Eliza had been through so much-her whole life was a tough story.

Not wanting to leave, Eliza looked down, hiding her emotions, and begged, "Mrs. Rhodes, please, let me go. Audrey will be upset if I stay."

She struggled a bit, her tear-streaked face looking more fragile by the second. Fiona hugged her tightly, patting her back as her eyes shot daggers at Audrey.

Eliza, still nestled in Fiona's embrace, glanced at Dominic with those red, watery eyes. "Dominic, I'm really sorry for how things turned out and for causing you to fight with Audrey. You should talk to her. I know it's been tough with everything you've been through together." Seeing Eliza so sad yet still concerned about him made Dominic's heart ache even more.

He shot a disappointed look at the cold-eyed Audrey and said, "Audrey, why do you have to be so aggressive? Eliza can't control being sick."

He was even wondering how the once gentle and understanding Audrey turned into this.

Even Fiona jumped in to help, saying, "Come on, Audrey, it's already happened. Just let it go. You and Dominic's wedding doesn't have to happen today."

It felt like everyone her mother who raised her, her boyfriend of years-were both siding against her for Eliza, looking down on her and judging her harshly.

Audrey was the one whose wedding had been ruined, yet it felt like she was the one being accused of a crime. It was just so ironic.

Meanwhile, Eliza was still quietly sobbing, and neither Fiona nor Dominic seemed to catch what Audrey said.

Seeing Eliza so upset, Fiona added, "Audrey, why are you just standing there? Go comfort Eliza! Apologize to her. She's not well, and how can she handle all this crying?"

Audrey was at a loss for words. She realized she'd underestimated them once again. Just when she thought she'd seen their true colors, they surprised her with another blow.

"Not well, huh?" Audrey scoffed, stormed into the living room, pulled out a thick medical report from a drawer, and slammed it down in front of them. "Take a good look and see what exactly is wrong with her!"

Fiona froze, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden outburst, her face flushing coldly. But then she noticed Audrey's pale expression and began to sense something was off. Eventually, she picked up the medical report and started reading.

Dominic leaned in to look as well. As they flipped through the pages, the expressions on Fiona's and Dominic's faces became more and more perplexed.

The report revealed that Eliza had been completely healthy from childhood through adulthood.