Chapter 107 Wedding Photos
Quinley's cool eyes studied David seriously, making him increasingly uncomfortable. He laughed awkwardly. "Of course! I'm a man—protecting my woman is only natural."
He wasn't as relaxed as usual. Quinley didn't think much of it, but David's heart was racing with unease.
"Quinny, I've booked the wedding venue. Let me take you to see it." He brought it up proactively.
Quinley had left all the wedding arrangements to David. This whole marriage was an act anyway, so she didn't care about the stage they'd be performing on. Still, since David mentioned it, she agreed. "Okay."
David drove straight to Rosewood City's largest hotel. Along the way, Quinley leaned against the seat with her gaze fixed out the window, lost in thought. David glanced at her several times, but the usually chatty man suddenly fell silent.
The car traveled on, nothing but air flowing between them. When they arrived at the hotel, David got out first, and Quinley followed him inside.
The hotel's lobby manager immediately rushed over when he spotted David. "Mr. Brown, you're here!"
David kept one hand in his pocket, nodding slightly. "How's the setup coming along?"
The manager's face lit up with an obsequious smile as he bowed. "Rest assured, I'm personally overseeing everything. It's all ready. Early congratulations to you and Ms. Elikin."
David's cold gaze swept over him. "Still calling her Ms. Elikin?"
The manager immediately caught on, looking at Quinley with an ingratiating expression. "Mrs. Brown."
David strode forward with the manager hurrying behind. "Mr. Brown, we've replaced the electronic displays with the highest resolution screens as you requested. The flowers are being coordinated with a plantation—they'll be air-shipped the morning of the event. For the food and desserts, we've brought in Michelin chefs..."
He rambled on while David remained silent. As the group walked deeper inside, no one noticed Quinley's shock.
The venue was decorated beautifully—clearly David had put real effort into this. Even if it was just an act, he'd gone for the best effects.
"Are the wedding photos in place?" While Quinley was admiring the décor, David was conferring with the manager.
"Yes, they are. Shall I show you the display?" The manager immediately used his walkie-talkie to notify the relevant staff.
Quinley had her back to the stage, staring at an adorable little Cupid figure. Suddenly, with a loud "bang," enormous wedding photos slowly descended on either side of the electronic screen.
The man in the photos was handsome and dashing, the woman soft and beautiful. David squinted, looking more pleased with himself the longer he looked.
"Quinny, what's wrong? Are you not happy with my choices?"
Quinley's face had gone deathly pale, her fingers curling slightly. The woman in the photos looked exactly like her—but it wasn't her.
"Where did these photos come from?" Quinley blurted out in surprise. She had scheduled a photo shoot with David, but they'd never gone.
She'd assumed David had given up on it. After all, this wedding was just a performance—wedding photos weren't necessary.
"Aren't these from when we went together that day? What, you forgot already?" David reached out playfully to tap her forehead. "You're such a scatterbrain. But don't you dare forget about me."
David naturally put his arm around Quinley's shoulders. She didn't dodge in time. Her heart pounded furiously.
Susan. She'd impersonated Quinley and gone to take wedding photos with David.
But why would she do that? What was she trying to accomplish?
That shadow that had faded was now spreading through Quinley's heart again.
"What's wrong, Quinny? Why do you look so pale?" David had noticed something was off. He reached to touch her forehead, but she pulled away.
"It's nothing. I'm just not feeling well suddenly. I want to go home."
Quinley wrapped her arms around herself, eyes downcast. David let out a small breath of relief. "Alright, I'll take you back."
He put his arm around Quinley and headed out. She couldn't help looking back at those enormous wedding photos. The woman smiled brilliantly, radiant and beautiful, her eyes seeming to mock Quinley.
Waves of emotion crashed through Quinley's heart, but she didn't say a word. On the drive back, she wanted to ask David about Susan, but the words kept sticking in her throat. She and David were purely in a business arrangement. Who he'd dated before—what did that have to do with her? Why would he need to explain anything to her?
The truth mattered, but some truths weren't necessary. Her relationship with David was awkward and delicate—Quinley didn't want to stir up trouble and upset the balance.
Back at the apartment, Quinley contacted a moving company. She needed to move some of her things back to the Elikin family home early. When Marlee saw Quinley returning with bags and boxes, she was shocked.
"Quinny, what are you doing?"
Quinley smiled. "Dad's been sick. I want to move back for a while and help you take care of him."
"Good, good. It's good to have you back." Marlee didn't overthink it. She helped Quinley organize everything.
They were halfway through when the doorbell rang. Marlee hurried to answer it while Quinley continued sorting. "Alicia, what brings you here? You didn't need to bring gifts!"
Hearing the voices from the other room, Quinley was startled. She poked her head out to see Alicia entering her home.
"Quinny, don't just stand there! Get Alicia some water." Marlee pulled Alicia's hand, all warmth and questions, her face wreathed in smiles.
Quinley went to the kitchen to pour water, her mind full of suspicion. Why would Alicia show up at her house out of the blue?
In the living room, Marlee chatted with Alicia about everyday things. Alicia was sweet and gentle, excellent at conversation—Marlee clearly liked her.
"Here." Quinley poured water and handed it coldly to Alicia.
Alicia took it but immediately grabbed Quinley's hand. "Ms. Elikin, you really don't treat me like a friend! Something as important as pregnancy, and I had to find out from the news. Congratulations! Your baby with Dr. Brown is going to be so smart and beautiful."
"Thanks." Quinley's tone remained flat, but Marlee wasn't having it. "Quinny, Alicia cares so much about you. You should be grateful."
"Alicia, sit here for a bit. I'm going out to buy some groceries—I'll make you something delicious." Marlee stood up, beaming.
"Mom, you don't need to go to all that trouble." Quinley just wanted Alicia out of her house.
But Alicia held Marlee's hand, acting coy. "Thank you so much! Being able to eat food you've made yourself—I'm so lucky."
A few sentences had Marlee over the moon. She grabbed her shopping bag and headed out immediately.
"What are you doing at my house?" The moment Marlee left, Quinley's expression darkened.
The smile was still on Alicia's face. She dropped the act but remained seated. "What's wrong? Are you scared?"
Quinley turned and headed to her bedroom. Alicia immediately followed her in.
"Quinley, this baby is Zach's, isn't it? You're carrying Zach's child but marrying another man. You're going to have Zach's baby call that man 'daddy.' Quinley, how can you be so despicable?"
She fired off accusatory questions. When Quinley decided to announce the pregnancy, she'd anticipated the trouble it would bring. But she truly hadn't expected Alicia to pursue this so relentlessly.
"Ms. Davis, let me make two things clear: First, this baby has nothing to do with Zachary. Please don't let your imagination run wild. Second, you and I are not friends. You have nothing to do with any of this. Standing on your moral high ground to trample over me—you have no right to do that."
Quinley's words rang out sharp and firm. This was the first time she'd confronted Alicia so forcefully. Only, Quinley didn't know then that this confrontation would bring disaster upon herself.