Chapter 5

Katie stared at the brown folder lying on the coffee table between them as though it belonged to someone else. She didn’t move.

Brian stood with one hand inside his trouser pocket while Rita remained comfortably seated on the couch, her fingers loosely intertwined with his.

All of a sudden, Katie laughed. It was not the cheerful laugh Brian remembered from three years ago. The laugh was hollow and painfully empty.

Brian frowned, “I know this isn’t easy Katie, but I think this is better for both of us.”

Katie slowly lifted her eyes towards him.

Better? She wondered if he truly believed those words or if saying them simply made abandoning her easier. Without saying a word, she reached for the folder.

Brian watched her movements, and even Rita watched too with curiosity shining in her eyes. Katie opened the file and flipped through the pages one after another.

She didn’t bother reading the details because there was nothing inside those papers that could possibly hurt more than watching the man she had once loved kissing her best friend on her own doorstep.

Katie picked the pen resting inside the folder and signed her name. Her handwriting became steady from the beginning to the end.

Brian blinked. He had imagined this conversation countless times over the years, yet none of those versions ended with Katie signing the papers without hesitation.

When she finished, she closed the folder gently before sliding it across the table. “There,” she said quietly.

Brian stared at the folder before looking back at her. “That’s… all?”

Katie smiled slightly, then she looked directly into Brian’s eyes. “Three years ago,” she began calmly, “I waited for you every single day.”

She breathed, “I kept thinking something terrible had happened to you. I made excuses for you because I couldn’t believe the man I married would disappear without a word.”

Katie folded her hands together, “I waited for you on every one of our anniversaries, I even waited after burying our daughter,” She swallowed softly.

Katie stared at the divorce papers. “But today, I can’t wait for you to leave.”

Brian’s jaw tightened…he had prepared himself for tears, anger, but he had never prepared himself for indifference.

Rita reached for Brian’s hand again and smiled smugly. “Well,” she said lightly, “at least everything ended peacefully.”

Katie looked at her, and unexpectedly she smiled. “Actually, I’m getting married tomorrow, and I’ve waited for this day for so long.”

Brian’s eyes widened before he quickly hid his surprise.

“So soon?” Rita asked, unable to hide the disbelief in her voice.

Katie shrugged gently.

“Well…congratulations.”

“Thank you,”

Brian cleared his throat awkwardly. “I hope he’s good to you.”

Katie held his gaze for a brief second. “So do I.”

The silence became uncomfortable enough that Rita stood first. “We should leave,” she said, forcing enthusiasm into her voice. “Samantha will wake up soon.”

Brian nodded. He picked up the signed divorce papers and slipped them back into the folder. Before walking toward the door, he paused. “For what it’s worth… I hope you’re happy.”

Katie smiled politely, “Thank you.”

Brian nodded before following Rita outside. The front door closed behind them with a soft click and the apartment became completely silent.

Katie slowly lowered herself onto the couch and released a long, trembling breath. “They’re gone…”

She whispered the words to herself as though she needed proof. For years she had imagined confronting Brian and finally, today everything had ended.

She leaned her head against the back of the couch and closed her eyes. “Tomorrow…everything will change tomorrow.”

***

Katie stood before the full-length mirror in complete silence while the makeup artist adjusted the final touches to her appearance. The white wedding dress fit her perfectly.

Its elegant design hugged her figure before flowing gracefully to the floor. A delicate veil rested behind her neatly styled hair, making her look every bit the beautiful bride everyone expected to see.

Yet beneath the expensive fabric and careful makeup, her hands refused to stop trembling.

Rosetta walked into the room dressed in a simple lavender outfit. “My beautiful girl.” Katie managed a small smile.

Rosetta stepped closer and gently adjusted a loose strand of hair near her forehead. “You look exactly like your mother today.”

Katie swallowed. “I don’t feel like a bride.”

Rosetta cupped her cheek. “You don’t have to feel ready.” Katie looked into her grandmother’s tired but loving eyes. “You only have to be brave.”

A member of the staff appeared at the doorway. “It’s time.”

Katie inhaled deeply, and her heartbeat grew louder with every passing second. She reached for her bouquet before she stepped outside.

The church was much smaller than the one where she had married Brian years ago. Only seven guests occupied the wooden pews.

Rosetta, Donald Stark, and a few trusted family representatives.

At the end of the aisle stood Damien Stark. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit that matched his composed expression. He looked exactly as he had the previous day.

Katie began walking down the aisle. Each step echoed beautifully in the church. The last time she had walked down an aisle… Brian had been waiting. He had smiled at her, and he had whispered that she looked beautiful.

Katie squeezed the bouquet tighter. Forever…what a dangerous word.

She reached the altar and stopped beside Damien. He glanced at her briefly but his expression did not change.

The pastor smiled warmly before opening the ceremony. “We are gathered here today…”

Katie tried to listen, but each word from the pastor reminded her of another man. She could almost hear Brian’s younger voice repeating vows he never intended to keep. Her throat tightened.

The pastor turned toward Damien. “Do you, Damien Stark, take Katie Anderson to be your lawful wife?”

“I do.” Damien’s answer came without hesitation.

The pastor smiled before facing Katie. “And do you, Katie Anderson, take Damien Stark to be your lawful husband?”

Katie stared ahead. One year…just one year to live with him.

She forced herself to breathe. “I do.”

The pastor beamed. “By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Katie barely registered the applause. Then came the words she had been dreading.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

Katie’s thoughts snapped back to reality. Her heartbeat stumbled. She instinctively looked toward Damien.

Before she could say a single word or even think of suggesting they fake it, Damien stepped forward.

One arm circled her waist with calm confidence, pulling her just close enough that everyone watching would believe the affection between them.

Katie’s breath caught. Her fingers instinctively tightened around the bouquet. She looked into his eyes for the briefest moment.

Then Damien lowered his head and his lips met hers.

The kiss was deep enough to silence every whisper inside the church and convincing enough to make every witness believe they were watching two newlyweds sharing their first kiss as husband and wife.

Katie’s eyes widened in shock as the world around her disappeared.