But before I could react, Hugh suddenly staggered backward—then tumbled straight down the stairs.
Virginia’s panicked scream echoed through the house.
Before I could even process what had happened, she was already cradling him in her arms.
When she turned to look at me, her eyes blazed with fury.
"Bryan, what the hell are you doing? Are you insane?"
"Hugh just came to invite you to dinner—what right did you have to push him?"
Virginia's parents shot me a look full of disappointment and disdain.
Meanwhile, Cassie stood by, sobbing loudly.
"Bad man! The bad man bullied Daddy! I don’t want him here!"
"I want Daddy! I want Daddy!"
Hugh let out a weak sigh and leaned against Virginia for support, his arm draped over her shoulders.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I just told Bryan that I agreed to stand in for him at the wedding, but I didn’t expect him to take it the wrong way…"
"Don’t be mad at Bryan. He didn’t mean it."
Lying on the floor, humiliated, I let out a cold laugh.
"Virginia—our wedding, the car accident, this child… shouldn’t you give me an explanation?"
Her expression stiffened, and a flicker of panic flashed through her eyes.