I Fled My Wedding, Slept With a Stranger, and He's My New Boss novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: The Wronged Groom

Hayes held out both hands as he crossed the marble, and the photographers swung toward us.

"Thank God," he said, loud enough for the red carpet. "Maddie, baby. We've been sick with worry."

Behind him a woman from the network lifted a small camera and a red light came on.

"You're on the wrong floor, Hayes," I said.

"I'm exactly where I should be." He took my hands, and his grip was warm and perfectly pleasant. "You had a breakdown. Everyone understands. I told the fans you needed time."

"You told them what?"

"That you weren't well. That nobody blames you." He turned his head to the lens. "I'm not angry. I'm just here to bring her home."

A murmur went through the lobby.

Two hundred guests in black tie stood still with their phones up.

I could feel Brody just behind my shoulder.

I did not look at him.

I took my hands back, one finger at a time.

"I wasn't sick," I said clearly. "I read the schedule."

Hayes smiled.

"At the altar you told me ninety seconds and the Aldine deal closes," I said. "You told me the money cleared when I said I do."

"Maddie..."

"You told me to smile at the crane."

A woman in diamonds put a hand over her mouth.

"I took off my veil, and I'm not sorry. I'm not coming home, and I don't need a sponsor to say so."

Somebody near the coat check started clapping, and was shushed.

Hayes's smile stayed exactly where it was.

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