Chapter 4

I knew this was a sign that Jared was getting angry.

In the past, I would've backed down and compromised in a heartbeat. But today, I simply acted as if I hadn't heard anything and continued enjoying my breakfast with my head down.

In the end, Jared threw out a "Ridiculous" and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

For the next few days, Jared didn't come home. But I didn't particularly care either. I quit my job in Lunaton, and little by little, I packed up my things and shipped them away.

Three days later, Austin suddenly sent me a screenshot.

"That fiance of yours has been pretty busy lately."

I glanced at it, and my pupils constricted sharply.

The screenshot was an Instagram post from Paige's best friend, Alice Duffy. The caption read, "The bride-to-be picking out her wedding dress, with a certain groom-to-be by her side the whole time. They're so sweet I can't stand it!"

In the photo, Jared and Paige stood inside a bridal shop. He was helping her adjust her veil, smiling so brightly the corners of his eyes crinkled.

I had never seen him smile like that before.

My fingers hovered over the screen for a long time, but I ultimately closed the app. I told myself it didn't matter anymore. After all, the moment I posted the breakup announcement on Instagram, I had already decided never to look back.

Even without deliberately paying attention, I noticed the sudden shifts in Jared. He, who had previously been completely indifferent to the wedding, started arranging every single detail with meticulous care.

First, he changed the venue. He felt the outdoor garden lawn I had chosen wasn't grand enough, so he switched it to a ballroom in a five-star hotel.

Then, there was the theme. He said the simple rustic style I'd originally chosen was too plain, so he changed it to a dreamy purple-and-pink palette.

Next came the itinerary. He said the warm, heartfelt flow I had planned was too cliche, so he revamped it into a carnival-themed amusement park concept.

All of it was exactly what Paige would've wanted.

I didn't fight him on anything. Instead, I just let him do whatever he pleased.

Maybe it was because I'd been "too compliant" lately, but one evening, Jared actually came home with a bouquet of roses—something he never did.

When he saw me, he spoke in an uncharacteristically tender tone. "Heather, I've changed all the plans for our wedding. Have you looked them over?"

I nodded.

"Is there anything you don't like or aren't satisfied with?"

At the question, a bitter, scornful laugh escaped me. "Jared, aren't you asking the wrong person? Shouldn't you be asking Paige that?"

With that, I turned to walk away.

"Heather!" Jared chased after me and grabbed my wrist. "What exactly are you upset about? Paige was just helping me brainstorm some ideas. You're really going to get jealous over that?"

I just looked at him, my expression entirely blank.

He rubbed his nose sheepishly, then sighed, his tone softening. "Fine, I admit I took a lot of Paige's suggestions. But I only did it to make our wedding better. Heather, the wedding is just one day. Don't make a big deal out of it."

I nodded and replied in a voice devoid of emotion, "It doesn't matter to me. Whatever makes the two of you happy."

Jared's lips parted. Suddenly, he looked at me with an intense seriousness. "Heather, I'll only ever have you as my wife. That's never going to change."

I met his gaze. There he stood in his crisp suit, as good-looking as always, but the words coming out of his mouth made him feel like a complete stranger.

I might be his wife, but the person he loved was not me.

"You're right," I said softly. "I should be content to be your wife. Even though I'm allergic to pollen, I should happily accept these roses you brought me."

Jared's expression froze. He was just about to say something when his phone suddenly rang.