Chapter 4

By the time we got back to the apartment, it was already dark.

I went straight to the bedroom and zipped up my suitcase.

Brielle followed me in, bubbling with the kind of enthusiasm that left no room for refusal.

"Addie! Don't go to bed so early. Let's have one last party before the wedding!

"You're getting married in two days. Don't waste these last couple of days!"

In the past, I would've given in. I would've convinced myself she genuinely meant well.

But this time, I simply stood up.

"I'm still not feeling well. You guys have fun. I'll stay at a hotel tonight."

I picked up my suitcase and headed for the door.

Callum sighed.

"Brielle's right. It's not often everyone gets together. You already killed the mood the other night. Don't start again.

"Our friends are on their way. Just try to have fun, okay? Do it for me."

Before long, a group of friends poured into the apartment.

"No one's going home sober tonight!" they shouted in unison.

I was pushed into a seat in the corner while everyone else eagerly started playing party games.

A little while later, Brielle stumbled over, clearly tipsy.

"Adeline! Come drink with me! You're getting married soon, and I'm not happy about it! We're drinking all night!"

When I didn't move, she slumped into Callum's arms.

"This is the woman you picked? She won't even say a word. What's with the high-and-mighty act?"

One of Brielle's friends rolled her eyes.

"She was like this back in college too. Always so cold you could freeze standing next to her."

The others quickly joined in.

"How is she still this stuck-up after all these years? She's unbearable."

"I couldn't stand her back then either. If it weren't for Callum, I wouldn't even be here."

Brielle waved them off, sounding almost generous.

"Forget it. That's just how she is. Let's play something else."

Then her eyes suddenly lit up.

"Cal, I wish you could come to Snowridge with me to see the snow... You're getting married soon."

Callum agreed without thinking.

Only then did he seem to remember I was there.

After a brief hesitation, he said, "Why don't we vote? There are plenty of us here. Majority rules."

Within seconds, the result was in.

Twelve people. Not a single vote against it.

Callum held up his phone, his voice perfectly calm.

"Addie, the vote's in. Let's push the wedding back. We'll have it after I get back from Snowridge with Brielle."

I'd lost count of how many times he'd postponed it.

"Don't bother."

I looked at him.

"Callum, let's break up."

The room fell silent.

A second later, laughter broke out across the living room.

Callum looked exasperated.

"Aren't you embarrassed? Do you really have to make a scene in front of everyone? You keep talking about breaking up. Don't you ever get tired of it?"

He sighed.

"All right, all right, Addie. I promise. Once I get back from Snowridge with Brielle, I'll marry you."

The laughter continued.

I didn't spare any of them another glance. I pulled my suitcase behind me and walked out.

The next morning, just before boarding my flight, I received two messages from Callum.

Callum: [Addie, I know I've been neglecting you lately.]

Callum: [Don't worry. The wedding's set for a week from now. Wait for me.]

I left our group chat without replying.

Then I switched my phone to airplane mode and boarded my flight to Westhaven.

A week later, Callum landed and took a cab straight to the hotel.

On the way, he checked the time eight times.

Addie had to be waiting for him. This time, no matter what, he couldn't be late again.

But when he arrived, the lobby was empty.

Callum froze.

"Wasn't there supposed to be a wedding here today?"

The hotel manager looked uncomfortable.

"The wedding? Ms. Warren already canceled it."