Page 3 of What Goes Around

Nick ran a hand through his hair, muttering a curse under his breath. When his gaze landed on me again, it was ice-cold.

“I can’t even look at you right now,” he said.

"Nick..."

He walked out.

Just like that. Like I was nothing.

Apple followed him, murmuring something I couldn’t even process. “She didn’t mean to hurt anyone, I’m sure...”

I turned to Thomas, my voice barely holding. "Thomas, what...?"

"Not now," he said roughly, brushing past me without meeting my eyes.

And me? I just stood there, alone in that shattered bridal suite, surrounded by the destruction of a wedding.

I couldn’t breathe. The walls felt like they were closing in.

I’d just lost everything without even knowing why.

Chapter 2: The Fallout

By the time I stumbled out of that church, whispers were already rippling through the crowd like wildfire.

People stood in little clusters at the bottom of the stone steps, their voices hushed but their eyes anything but subtle. The guests who had come to witness a wedding were now spectators at a scandal.

Someone pointed. Another whispered my name. I caught snippets as I passed.

“…with her best friend’s fiancé…”

“…I always thought she was a little too friendly…”

“…poor Payton…”

Each word sliced into me.

I wanted to scream that it wasn’t true, that I hadn’t done anything, but my throat was tight, my voice gone. And the looks people gave me… they weren’t uncertain. They were convinced.

Then I saw him.

Nick stood near the parking lot, hands shoved deep into his pockets, shoulders tense, head bowed as Apple spoke softly beside him. When she noticed me, she turned, her expression all gentle concern.

“Ashley, maybe you should go home,” she said quietly. “People are upset. It’s better if you let things calm down.”

“Calm down?” The words came out broken, almost a laugh. “Apple, this isn’t even true! You know I didn’t do anything!”

She sighed, like she was tired of defending me. “I know you think that, but Thomas seemed pretty sure. Maybe you said something that came off wrong. Maybe you… led him on without realizing.”

I blinked at her, disbelief cutting through the numbness.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Her expression didn’t change. That soft, reasonable tone only made it worse. “Ash, I’m just saying, perception matters. Right now, everyone’s hurting. Maybe you should stay quiet for a while... let it blow over.”

“Blow over?” My voice cracked. “You’re unbelievable.”

Then Nick turned. His eyes met mine, and my breath caught. There was no rage there, just disappointment. And somehow, that hurt more than if he’d screamed at me.