"The family has a full house today, Miss Gilbert. Young Mr. Cox is tied up with guests, so he sent me to bring you over myself."
"Rest assured, the Cox family will make sure everything is grand and proper today..."
Before he could finish, I raised a hand to cut him off.
"It's fine. Let's just go to the hotel."
The man I was marrying today wasn't Phil anyway. Him not showing up was a bonus.
When I arrived at the hotel lounge, I found people inside who had no business being there.
Phil and Claire.
Claire was seated at the vanity mirror, and Phil stood behind her, both hands resting gently on her shoulders.
Standing there like that, the two of them looked more like today's bride and groom than I ever could.
When she saw me walk in, Claire stood up.
"Oh, you're here! It's your big day with Phil—you don't mind me coming in to keep things warm for you, do you?"
"Oh my God, that dress is gorgeous. Hahaha, Phil really spent a fortune on you this time. You're definitely going to be the prettiest one there..."
I was done listening to Claire's fake sweetness.
"Since when are we on familiar terms? I don't recall us being close."
"And this is my lounge. Who let you in?"