Chapter 79: Catching the Bouquet

Lucas instinctively covered himself, narrowing his eyes in clear irritation. 

"Cheryl, you know I'm not like that! Sure, our parents once tried to set us up, but we barely made it three hours before agreeing it wasn't a match. And besides, you had a boyfriend back then. What's going on here—looking for trouble?" Now that he was closer, he noted subtle differences in her features. Something had definitely changed. 

"Don't bring up that scumbag!" Cheryl shot him a fierce look, pressing herself against the wall beside him. 

"You broke up?" 

"Yep." 

"And let me guess…you had a little cosmetic work done?" Lucas refrained from saying she didn't look this glamorous before, deciding not to hit a nerve. 

Cheryl chuckled, noticing his hesitation. "Actually, no plastic surgery. Just a top-tier makeup artist. You'd be shocked at what they can do. They even handled Shauna's look today. Trust me, Lucas, I'm just one of many works of art they've created." 

Lucas raised a skeptical brow. "This good? Who's this miracle worker?" 

"Oh, they're incredible. Even Shauna is enchanted by their work." She sighed dramatically, a twinkle in her eye. 

"Alright, enough!" Lucas interrupted, a little exasperated. "Whatever you think you saw today—just forget it, alright? Don't go spreading things around. It's complicated. You understand?" 

"Really? A secret marriage? Well, if that's how you're keeping things, maybe you should pocket the ring, or someone's bound to notice." 

With a resigned sigh, Lucas slipped the ring into his pocket. 

"Leaving so soon?" Cheryl teased as he turned. 

He shot her an incredulous glare. "What, were you hoping for another round? And do me a favor—cut the flirty voice." 

Cheryl smirked, glancing over his shoulder, her eyes catching a familiar figure in the crowd. 

"Oh, come on, one little hug, for old times' sake?" Without waiting for a response, she flung her arms around him, planting a quick kiss on his neck. 

"Hey! What are you doing!" Lucas snapped, pushing her away, brushing himself down as if her touch had somehow sullied him. 

Cheryl just chuckled, catching a glimpse of someone moving away in the crowd. 

---

Was it an illusion? Claire had just seen Lucas in another woman's arms—intimately close. Her heart tightened, and she turned, fleeing the scene, her heels echoing across the hall. Somehow, the painful pinch of her heels was nothing compared to the ache spreading through her chest. 

"Claire!" 

She stopped at the sound, looking up at the crowd gathered in the venue's central hall, unsure of who had called her. 

"Claire, over here, front and center!" Shauna, standing at the front with a bouquet, waved her hand enthusiastically. 

The crowd's eyes fell on Claire, pulling her from her daze. Shauna had already hopped off the podium and was walking toward her. 

"What's going on? I called you three times!" Shauna poked her shoulder playfully. 

"Oh… sorry. I thought… the sun was just a little too bright… my vision's a bit hazy…" Claire forced a smile, though inside, her heart felt tight, her breathing shallow. 

"But you have to stay for this next part!" Shauna said with a wink. 

"There's more?" Claire was confused; hadn't the ceremony wrapped up? 

"The bouquet toss! My dad may have preferred we skip the church, but everyone wanted the fun part—a good old-fashioned bouquet toss! And guess what? I'm throwing it to you! I hope it'll bring you luck in love and happiness, just like me and Roy." 

"To… me?" Claire stammered, her surprise evident. "But—I'm already married." 

"Nobody else here knows that, and I just want to pass on my luck to you!" Shauna winked, tugging Claire into the group of hopeful bridesmaids. "Just stand here and make sure you catch it, alright?" 

"Okay," Claire mumbled, her voice drained of enthusiasm. Shauna paused, sensing something was off. 

"Hey, are you alright? You look a little pale. And… where did Lucas disappear to?" Shauna glanced around, brow furrowed.