Chapter 4

By the time I got back to the hospital, Dad's anesthesia had worn off.

When he saw me come in alone, he asked, "Where's Sean? Why didn't he come with you?"

I was still trying to think of an excuse when Dad sighed.

"Honey, the doctor says I'm going to need some time to recover. Maybe you and Sean could push the wedding back a little?"

I stared at him in surprise, and his eyes suddenly reddened.

"I can't have you getting married without me there. What if someone treats you badly and you don't have anyone there to stand up for you?"

My chest tightened.

Dad had never thought much of himself, and he'd always believed I was lucky to be with someone like Sean. The first time Sean came over, Dad spent the whole day cooking a huge meal and even tucked a few hundred dollars into a card for him.

But Sean complained that the food was too greasy and refused the money.

"Liana and I split everything fifty-fifty. If I take this, I'll just end up having to make it even later. What's the point?"

That was the first time Sean and I had ever fought.

I told him he was cold and inconsiderate, and for the first time, I seriously thought about ending the relationship.

When Sean realized I was genuinely angry, he did something rare and backed down. He even bought Dad a case of expensive liquor as an apology.

Dad had never opened it. He kept saying he was saving it for my wedding.

Now, looking at him lying in a hospital bed and still worrying that I might be mistreated, I suddenly realized there was no reason to postpone the wedding.

There wasn't going to be a wedding at all.

By the time I left Dad's room, my mind was made up.

I had just taken out my phone to message Sean when I caught a glimpse of him farther down the hall.

I followed him and watched as he helped Summer's mother into a private hospital suite that cost an extra four hundred dollars a night.

Sean froze when he saw me.

"What are you doing here? Are you following me?"

Summer, who was already inside the room, quickly put on a surprised expression.

"Liana, don't get the wrong idea. My mom fell sick today, and my boyfriend is working out of town, so he couldn't get back in time. Sean was just helping me bring her to the hospital."

She hesitated, then added, "And if the dresses and jewelry bother you, I can return them right now..."

"There's no need."

Sean cut her off sharply.

"Liana, it's my money. I decide who I spend it on and how I spend it. You don't get a say in that."

His voice turned colder.

"If you pull something like this again, then maybe we really shouldn't get married."

I looked past him at Summer, who was doing a poor job of hiding how pleased she was.

I smiled too.

"Fine. The wedding's off."