Listen to Love the Way You Lie by Rihanna ft Eminem.

"Stay out of this, Tristan. This is between my sister and me," Ciara said, sounding very upset. Her forehead creased in anger as she looked behind him, meeting my frightened eyes.

"She is my girlfriend, and I won't let you hit her again. I swear to you, if I see any mark on her face, I'm suing you."

I should applaud this guy. He sounded very angry, and Ciara appeared scared for a moment.

Why was I even hiding? I had to face her. Hiding was only going to make everyone think all this was true. I wiped the tear that had escaped from my left eye and walked forward.

"Babe ..." Tristan grabbed my arm.

"Get your filthy hands off me!" I snapped, pulling my hand away. I met my sister's heavy gaze.

"Do you realize what you just did?" Ciara asked.

"Ciara, I don't know what he's talking about."

"Stop with the lies already!"

I flinched at the furious tone of her voice.

"You also believe he's telling the truth? You really think I'm pregnant?" I asked with tears gathering at the corners of my eyes.

"Obviously."

"You've known me since I was a kid. I've shared everything with you. We live in the same house. Does any of this make sense to you?!"

At this point, I couldn't hold the tears back even if I shouldn't be the one in crying. Rage boiled within me, my emotions wreaking havoc throughout my body. The intensity of what I was feeling burned me inside, and if I let it all out, it would cause a massive fire.

"Yes, and don't act like some kind of saint. You have done worse. I thought that part of your life was over," she said with glossy eyes.

"Ciara, this is all a lie! Can't you see that? I'm not that person anymore, and you know that."

Did he cast a spell on everyone?

"Stop already. Don't you have any shame left in you? You could have gone for anyone, Chloe! Why him? He is my best friend's fiancé."

"Was, and don't talk to her like that," Tristan corrected, stepping forward.

"Can you please not say anything?" I said, looking up at his face, his blond hair now a mess.

His expression softened as he met my eyes, making him look like a lost puppy, except a monster lurked within that softness he let on.

"I can't just stand here and watch her speak to you like that," he said with fake concern.

"What do you think Mom and Dad are going to say?" Ciara questioned me.

"I'm going to explain everything to them. At least they will listen to me," I said, feeling hopeful.

"You're a tramp," she said in disgust, walking away.

I dug my nails into my palms. I could burst into flames from the anger consuming me.

"Are you okay?" Tristan asked, leaning closer to my right ear.

Clenching my fists, I turned around and punched him in the nose. The congregation gasped.

"I. Hate. You," I said, grabbing my purse from my seat and using it to hit him.

I felt drained and frustrated. My only option right now was to show a pregnancy test to my family. I was tired of fighting everyone, trying to explain that this psycho was lying.

Touching his nose, Tristan stared at me like he hadn't expected that from me.

"I will fight for our love, no matter how much you resist it.We deserve to be happy," he said, stepping forward.

I wanted to give up. The rage flowing through my cells could turn me into the Hulk right now, which I would love so I'd be able to smash Tristan into a doormat.

I needed someone to believe me, someone to listen to me. I had never felt so invisible in my life. I took a deep breath and did the only thing I could think of. I screamed. The scream stretched on as my vocal cords tried to keep up. The whole church went silent, and for the first time, I saw regret mixed with fear written all over Tristan's face.

"I don't know anything about this man. I'm not pregnant.If someone can get me a pregnancy test right now to prove to everyone he is lying, I will wait," I cried, the tears running down my cheeks to my chin.

I wished someone would listen to me, but as I looked around the room, they were all quiet, just staring at me like I was the psychopath here.

I was desperate, so I took off one of my heels and brought it close to my stomach. "If I have to push the tip of this heel into my stomach to get you to trust me, I will," I said.

I could never do it, but I needed to push him to tell the truth. I already had enough scars to conceal.

I could see the fear on everyone's face, Tristan's included.

"Tell them the truth, or I will do it," I dared him.

"Please, think of the future of our baby," he said, stepping closer but I stepped back. "Chloe, put that shoe away, and we can talk this out," he said calmly, as if he were trying to tame a wild beast.

"You are not gonna get away with this.After I get out of here, I'm going to the pharmacy to get a pregnancy test, and I will sue your psychotic ass for defamation of character," I said with gritted teeth.

"Sure, but you need to be alive to do that," he said, taking another step closer.

Someone snatched the shoe from behind me. I turned around and saw an older lady. She looked concerned with her lips tensed.

"Babies are too precious and innocent.Leave the child out of this," she said softly and walked away after giving Tristan my shoe.

"Hello, everyone. Can I have your attention, please? I'm sincerely sorry for everything going on.Sorry you had to witness this. I'm deeply sorry. I hope you forgive us for wasting your valuable time."

I turned around to look at who was speaking and saw Tristan's mom standing behind the pulpit at the altar.

Her voice was so rich and eloquent as she addressed the crowd. "You can return to your various homes. Thank you for coming."

People stood up and started leaving the church, but their eyes remained glued on us. Some went over to speak to his mother, and others smiled at us as they left. Fake smiles that probably hid their true judgment.

"He is lying! I swear on my ancestors' graves, I am not pregnant. If you can all wait here while I get a pregnancy test and—"

"Please stop. We have done enough. No more hiding.We can be happy now," Tristan cut in, holding my cheeks. His long and rough fingers cupped my face, his large palms fitted the whole of my face.

"Wow, when are you going to quit?" I pushed his hands away.

Two girls, about my age, walked up to us with wide grins. They had matching hairstyles and the same golden cami satin dresses hugging their clear skin.

"I was expecting you to grab her hand and run out of the church," the one with the auburn hair said, giggling.

It took everything in me not to pull her hair and tell her none of this was funny.

"That was brave of you, Tristan, to fight for the woman you love," the other girl remarked, twirling the ends of her sandy-blonde hair.

"Anything for her," he added softly.

I felt his eyes on me. I guessed I hadn't punched him hard enough.

"You're so lucky, Chloe."

I rolled my eyes at her statement. There was no need explaining the truth to these empty heads that were gawking at him.

"Please don't be mad at him. He really loves you and wants the best for your baby. I wish you both a happy life."

I ignored them, and I stared into space with a clenched jaw. I wanted an explanation from him before leaving. Why me? Maybe there was more to this because it still felt surreal.

Soon, the church was empty. I turned to Tristan. I opened my mouth to say something, but I heard his mom's voice.

"Tristan," she called, sounding so calm, but there was a hint of anger in her voice.

I turned to look at her. She was walking toward us with the girl I had seen earlier, and an older woman followed. I assumed from the slight resemblance that she must be his grandmother.

His mom looked stunning in her golden gown, covered with a sheer knee-length jacket.He'd definitely gotten those blue eyes from her.

Tristan moved closer, put his arm around my waist, and then kissed my cheek. I could feel his unwanted breath brush against my jaw.

Eww. I tried to pull away.

I was sure this counted as sexual harassment. The charges I would place on him would send him to jail for years without bail. I tried to wriggle out of his hold, but he tightened his grip around my waist. I stepped on his foot until he let go.

"Please, play along," he begged.

"No! Tell your family the truth," I demanded.

I thought of what his mom would say to me.She stopped two feet away from us.

"Mom, I'm sorry," Tristan said.

"You should be. Do you know what you've done?" Her fancy eyeglasses with shiny crystals on the frame fitted her oval face. I could swear she had gotten a chin job from how pointed it was.

"Oh, don't be like that, Carmen. He followed his heart," his grandmother said with a wide smile.

"Mom." His mother groaned, looking at his grandmother.

"What? I knew right from the beginning that he didn't love that spoiled brat." His grandmother rolled her eyes with her chin raised in confidence.

"Mom, that's rude, and we are in church."

His grandmother waved it off without a care.The girl beside her suppressed her laughter.

"Isn't she beautiful,Grandma?" Tristan proclaimed, looking down at my face.

I didn't know why, but relieved that I had no pimples on my face.

"She is a goddess. I knew you had good taste," she whispered, giggling.

"Thank God you changed your mind. Sofia would've kept stealing my lipstick with the excuse of borrowing it." Tristan's sister sighed.

"Keep your mouth shut, Nora. Adults are talking." Her mother shot her a glare. "And don't say that outside."

"But you told me on my birthday that I was an adult," Nora grumbled.

"How long have you been pregnant?" his grandmother asked me.

My throat went dry. "I'm not preg—"

"Six weeks," Tristan answered sharply.

"Your stomach is still as flat as the surface of a table," she said, staring at my stomach.

"That's because I'm not pregnant. Just take me to a doctor, so we can solve this once and for all," I said, but they didn't seem to believe me.

"It's okay, honey; we support your love for each other. You don't have to be afraid," his grandmother said softly, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze.

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but Tristan cut me off, "It's too early for her to show, Nana. Don't worry; you'll be the first we call once the baby bump is visible."

I stiffened when he placed his palm on my stomach, like there was really a baby in there.

What is he up to?

He was taking his act too far. He shouldn't be touching me.He had no right. I smacked his hand away, and his grandmother laughed.

"Oh." His grandmother nodded with a grin.

"Can we focus on the issue at hand?" Mrs. Sanchester said. "Nora, take your grandmother to the car."

"Take good care of yourself and the baby. And, Tristan, make sure you bring her home sometime." His grandmother said as she walked away.

"Sure."

There was a long silence after they left. I wished I'd left the church earlier and not even bothered staying back to explain myself because in the end, it was of no use.

His mother was tapping her heel on the floor, looking agitated. I didn't even know what to say to her. I wasn't sure she would believe me. After seeing how his family was, I decided to just keep my lips sealed.

She finally raised her head and stood upright. I should tell her to take me to the hospital.

"You should have said something, Tristan.We would have canceled the wedding to prevent all this. I don't care about our family's reputation, but the Novas won't let this go that easily."

"I know," he said.

"You're coming with me tomorrow to see them, and when you're done here, go and apologize to Father Andrew for ruining everything."

"I promise I will."

She exhaled deeply, and her eyes rested on me.

"I don't know who this man is. I have no idea why he is doing this to me. You have to believe me, please."

"How old are you?" she asked instead.

"Twenty."

His mother nodded and walked away.

What's that all about? She hadn't even listened to me.

"Why did you do that?" I asked him, pushing at his chest with all my strength, the rage inside of me giving me superpowers because he stumbled back.

"Okay, I deserved that." He winced.

"What the hell was that? I need some explanation after the nonsense you just pulled."

"I'm sorry. Give me a few hours, and I will fix it," he said, regaining his composure.

"You are kidding, right?" My expression turned to stone.

"No."

I closed my eyes as I inhaled deeply and then breathed out. "Why? Why did you do that to me?"

"I can't tell you right now, but give me sometime to fix this, and you will have your boyfriend back and an apology from your sister."

"That's all I get after you humiliated me? It won't fix the damage you've caused.Why did you do it?"I mumbled, raking my hair back.

"If you want money, just name the price."

"No, I don't want your shitty money. How could you do that to me and not give me a reason?" I said, staring at the altar like it could provide all the answers.

"I had to or else she would have been mad at me, and she didn't want me to get married. I didn't want to betray her," he said.

"Who is she? Is it your real mistress?" I asked, but he said nothing. "Tell me!"

"Thank you for being here today, Chloe," he said.

He'd just ruined my life like it was nothing, and that was all he had to say?

I had to see my parents; they were the only ones who would believe me and clear this mess.

"You need help. I hope you get that in jail because that is where you are going to be when I'm done with you," I said and walked away to the exit.

"Chloe, wait," he called, but I kept going, not looking back.

I groaned at the discomfort of walking with one heel. I went back and snatched my shoe from him, and then I walked out of the church.

I took a cab to the nearest store and got a pregnancy test. I looked out of place as I stood in front of the Cashier who stared at my dress.

"Trouble in paradise?" The Cashier asked.

I glared at him and paid for the pregnancy test. I grabbed it and stepped outside the store. I called for a cab and chewed on my fingernails the whole ride home. I gave the driver the money left in my purse when he stopped the car in my driveway.

Rushing out, I headed home, but I paused when I saw three suitcases on the porch—my suitcases. My parents stood next to the suitcases along with my glaring sister. Mom was crying, and Dad was trying to calm her down.

"Not you guystoo." Hopelessness washed all over me as my mind meshed into a myriad of jumbled thoughts.

I exhaled deeply, forcing a smile.

"You got this, Chloe. You got this." I gave myself a pep talk as I approached them.

My mom detached herself from my dad's hold, staring at me as I got closer.

If looks could kill, Ciara would have killed me multiple times with her murderous stare. My palms felt sweaty as I stopped one foot away from my suitcases, trying not to think about the reason they were outside.

"Dad, Mom, it's not true," I said slowly, as if it would make them understand me better.

"Told you she would deny it," Ciara said immediately after I finished my sentence.

"I thought it was over.You promised me you'd never be that girl again," Mom sobbed.

"I have changed. I'm telling the truth. I'm not pregnant, and I can prove it to you. I have a pregnancy test right here." I showed them the small packet.

My parents stared at the packet; they almost looked convinced as their shoulders relaxed, but I could tell my actions in the past were blurring their trust in me.

"If you will just let me in and ..." I tried to go into the house, but Ciara shoved me back. What did I ever do to her to receive such coldness?

"I will take a pregnancy test right now and show you I'm not ..." I struggled to open the packet with shaky hands, but my tears had left me weak."Please let me prove it to you," I begged.

"Fine, I want to believe you, Cassandra, but if this turns out to be true, I don't know what to think anymore," Mom said, making way for me to enter the house.

I rushed into the house, everyone trailing behind me. Ciara followed me upstairs and waited outside the bathroom door as I took the test. A part of me was scared for some reason. I bit nervously on my lips as I waited for the result to show. I sighed in relief when I saw the negative sign.

I opened the door with happy tears and a big grin as I showed my sister. She took it from me and examined it.

"I told you I'm not pregnant," I said, smiling excessively.

Ciara said nothing. I got no reaction from her.

"It's right there—negative," I pointed.

"Did you wash your hands after taking the test?" she asked.

I was confused. "No."

"I will show Mom.Clean up," she said, looking inside the bathroom with her face twisted in disgust.

I looked behind me and saw the mess I'd made. My shoes and purse were on the floor, and tissues littered the counter. I had been in a hurry and panicking, so I'd tossed everything on ground.

"I will be down in a minute," I said and shut the door.

I cleaned up quickly and washed my hands. I couldn't wait for my parents to apologize for doubting me. I wanted them to know I was a better person now. I picked up my purse and left the bathroom. I rushed and met my family downstairs.

"I told you I wasn't pregnant." I grinned.

I focused on my parents, waiting for them to welcome me back into the house, but they were silent, like they hadn't heard a word I'd said. I expected a smile and maybe an apology, but Mom was in deep tears. Dad looked heartbroken with his face numb and body limp.

"What?" I asked, slowing down.

Mom shook her head and cried harder. Dad tried to calm her down. I looked over at my sister, and she avoided my eyes.

"Get your things and leave," Mom said.

"What? Why?"

"You know why," Mom said, looking furious.

"I don't get it.The proof is right there. I'm not pregnant."

"How delusional are you? The result says you're pregnant!" she yelled and threw the pregnancy test at me.

I froze, speechless and disoriented.