Cold Husband Burning Regret: The Divorce He Couldn't Handle novel Chapter 648

“The party has already been postponed once,” she reasoned. “If we cancel now, with everyone watching, it would put Grandpa, Dad, and you in a terrible position, wouldn’t it?”

Wesley was taken aback, surprised that she was thinking of them. He lowered his gaze. “So you’re planning to face all these people alone?”

“It’s a Rayburn engagement party. As long as a Rayburn is there, that’s what matters, right?” she said, managing a faint, strained smile.

Before Wesley could react, Charlotte turned to Elliot. “Everyone knows today is the engagement party for a Miss Rayburn and the heir to the Chase fortune. And since the groom isn’t here, you’ll have to be the man of the hour.”

Elliot’s jaw dropped. “N-No way,” he stammered in shock. “You can’t be asking me to… He’ll kill me!”

“Of course, *I* can’t be the one up there,” Charlotte said, pulling Loretta to her side. “Loretta is a Miss Rayburn too, isn’t she?”

Loretta froze, looking at Charlotte in disbelief.

Elliot was dumbfounded. The idea was so audacious it was beyond anything he could have imagined. But it was also reckless and shocking.

“Miss Sterling, I get what you’re trying to do, but this was supposed to be your and Evander’s engagement party. Suddenly swapping me and Loretta in… putting aside what old Mr. Rayburn would think, aren’t you playing with Loretta’s future?”

Loretta’s eyelids fluttered, and she stared at the floor without a word.

“Just think of it as doing me a favor. It’s only for show; you don’t actually have to get married. But if you won’t do it with her, then you’ll have to stand in for Evander with me. It’s one or the other!” Charlotte was taking a gamble, but she knew she couldn’t let her emotions rule. She had to think of the Rayburn family.

Wesley took a deep breath and turned to Elliot. “Elliot, if you help us with this, I will be in your debt. Anything you need from me in the future, just ask.”

Elliot was silent for a moment, then clicked his tongue. “Fine, I can help. But you have to ask Loretta.”

At the head table, Susy and Caleb Rayburn stared, clearly stunned. The other guests, though uncertain, offered polite applause.

Loretta, on Elliot’s arm, walked slowly down the aisle. She wore a classic sapphire-blue fascinator with a lace veil that partially obscured her face. She was now in Charlotte’s gown, which, with a few quick adjustments using pins, fit her remarkably well.

Sean stared at the couple on the stage, frozen in place, his eyes wide. “What is…”

Wesley applauded beside him and explained, “I know Lottie’s plan seems a bit crazy, but it’s the best option we have. Everyone here knows it’s an engagement party for a Rayburn heiress and the heir of the Chase family. Even if guests realize the bride has been swapped, Loretta is still a Rayburn—she's Grandpa's granddaughter. This gives us a much better story for the public, and for Grandpa.”

Sean thought for a moment, then accepted it with a helpless sigh. “I suppose it’s the only way.”

Meanwhile, Charlotte sat alone in the dressing room, the sounds of the party outside feeling as if they belonged to another world.