But before she could hang up, I heard a soft, breathy moan on the other end.
Then Ryan’s voice came through, the two of them switching to French so I wouldn’t understand.
"Where are you going? You look stunning in that wedding dress. You know, I’ve never had you while you were wearing it before."
His words were explicit, heavy with implication.
"Claire, you’re about to get married. You two will have plenty of time to talk later, but we don’t have that luxury. Don’t you want one last wild time? Right here, in this dressing room—wearing that dress?"
My heart pounded. I waited, hoping Claire would choose to come to me.
If she came, we could still part on decent terms.
I had loved her, after all. I didn’t want to humiliate her.
But her next words crushed what little hope I had left.
"Can’t we talk later or over the phone? I’m in the middle of getting my makeup done. I want to look perfect for you—I want to be the most beautiful bride in the room."
Her voice was breathless, as if she was already giving in to temptation.
My heart sank completely. Whatever last bit of hope I’d been holding on to was gone.
To Claire, I was just a safe, convenient choice. A man who made her feel secure—nothing more.