Chapter 3 My Turn to Choose

My mom stepped forward and grabbed my wrist. "Perfect. Now that everyone's here, we can head to the rehearsal."

I pulled my hand free. "I'm not going."

Her expression immediately darkened. "Evan, haven't you caused enough trouble already?"

Her voice grew sharper as she continued, "Davian lost both his parents, and his grandma may not have much time left. You still have both of your parents. Can't you be a little more understanding? Do you really have to fight him over a wedding too?"

She glared at me in disgust. "Do you have any idea how many people are calling you selfish and heartless? I'm embarrassed for you."

Even then, she still did not understand.

Yes, my parents were still alive. But for most of my life, I had felt as though I did not have any.

From the day they brought me back from the countryside, there had never truly been a place for me in this family.

I worked myself to the bone to rank first in my class, but no one ever praised me. Once, when my fever reached 102.2°F, they simply told me to go buy medicine myself.

Whenever I cautiously tried to get a little closer to them, hoping for even the smallest bit of affection, I always heard the same words. "Stop being a nuisance."

Davian might have lost his parents, but over the years, he had gained everything I had spent my whole life longing for. He had my mom's affection, my dad's concern, and Chad's trust.

With every passing year, Davian seemed more and more like their real son. Meanwhile, I felt more and more like a guest they happened to let stay.

Avery grabbed my arm, irritation tightening her expression. "Evan, your mom's right. Stop throwing a tantrum. Everyone's waiting for us."

My chest tightened, and even breathing suddenly felt exhausting.

I thought, 'I've already sacrificed my family, wedding, and home. Am I truly expected to give up the last shred of my dignity too?'

Right then, Davian slipped an arm around my shoulders and looked at me pleadingly. "Evan, you're my best friend. My grandma would be so happy to see you standing beside me as my groomsman."

His voice softened. "Just do this one last thing for me. Please?"

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out and saw a new message on the screen.

'I'm at the airport. I can make it back. Tell me where you want to get married and what kind of wedding you want. I'll arrange everything. Whatever you want.'

I stared at the message for a long moment, and for the first time in what felt like forever, some of the weight pressing against my chest began to lift.

So this was what it felt like to actually matter to someone.

…

Before I could reply, they practically pushed me into the car, and not long afterward, we arrived at the hotel.

As soon as we entered the venue, Davian took charge. He moved through the space with effortless familiarity, adjusting the lighting, changing the flowers, switching the music, and directing the staff as though every detail had already been carefully rehearsed.

Watching him, I suddenly realized something.

Davian knew this wedding far better than I did.

For the past few months, he had been involved in nearly every part of the planning. Whenever I suggested an idea, it was somehow politely rejected, and something else would take its place.

Back then, Avery would wrap her arms around me and laugh. "Just leave everything to Davian. All you have to do is show up and be the most handsome groom there."

My parents and Chad had accompanied him to the venue again and again.

Together, they reviewed the layout, refined the schedule, checked the guest list, and confirmed every last detail.

They had been far more invested in the wedding than I ever was, and at the time, I had been touched by it.

I had not even complained when they chose lilies despite knowing I was allergic to them, or when they picked a suit cut that looked terrible on me.

None of it had bothered me because I thought I had the best friend in the world. I thought my family had finally started caring about me.

More than anything, I believed they were putting so much effort into the wedding because it was mine.

Yet, as I stood there watching Davian adjust every detail with practiced ease, that belief finally began to fall apart.

Avery remained at his side, quietly helping with whatever he needed. My parents and Chad hurried around the venue, coordinating with the hotel staff and double-checking the schedule as though they were preparing for the most important day of their lives.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

This wedding had never really been mine.

From the very beginning, they had been planning it around Davian.

That was why no one cared about my allergy to the flowers. That was why every compromise had always been mine to make.

None of it had ever been designed for me.

I had simply been the only person who did not realise it.

For months, I had stood in the middle of someone else's wedding and foolishly believed I was the groom.

I pulled out my phone again and stared at the message still waiting on the screen. After a brief pause, I finally typed my reply.

For once in my life, I wanted to make a choice for myself. And this time, I knew exactly what I wanted.

I wanted my wedding to be here, at this hotel.