Chapter 2

I didn’t have much of a sweet tooth, so I quietly stood by the door and waited for them.

The bakery owner was friendly and offered Iris a sample of one of their new cakes.

“I haven’t seen you and your boyfriend in here for a while.

“You’re both dressed up today. Going to some kind of gala?”

Iris gave a shy smile and pointed toward the door.

“It’s my best friend’s wedding. I’m the maid of honor.”

The owner’s smile froze as his gaze darted back and forth between the three of us.

Finally, he said apologetically, “I’m sorry. I see the two of you here for afternoon teas all the time, so I thought you were a couple.

“I didn’t realize there was someone else involved.”

Needless to say, I was the “someone else” he was referring to.

How I wished Grayson would say something—anything at all to explain.

But he didn’t.

He simply didn’t care.

He bought every flavor of honey cake the bakery had, enough to fill more than a dozen bags.

I only casually said, “Don’t waste them if you can’t finish them.”

That somehow was enough to make Iris cry.

Sniffling, she said, “C-Charlotte, I know you’re not really upset about the cakes. You’re angry because I spent Gray’s money.

“I’m sorry.”

As she spoke, she shakily pulled two hundred dollars from her purse and stuffed it into my hand.

The last of Grayson’s patience with me was gone. His lips pressed into a thin line, his expression cold.

“Charlotte Yates, can you think about the bigger picture for once?

“It’s our wedding day, and you have to make a scene? Besides, Iris is your best friend. It’s perfectly normal for me to buy her things.”

Perfectly normal?

I shook my head and laughed bitterly.

The Louis Vuitton bag she carried, the Hermès necklace around her neck, the designer sandals on her feet—they had all been bought by Grayson.

As for me, after seven years together, the most expensive gift he had ever given me was an electric toothbrush set.

Even the outdated wedding dress I was wearing now was one I had rented myself.

Grayson had barely spent a dime on me. I used to think that if I didn’t care about his money, then I would at least have his love.

Now I understood. I was walking away with neither.

“Gray, don’t blame Charlotte.”

Iris even spoke up for me.

“It’s her first time getting married. She doesn’t know how to handle herself. Don’t hold it against her. As long as you two have a good marriage, nothing else matters. Please don’t let me come between you.

“You know, my parents are divorced. I’m terrified of seeing the two of you unhappy.”

I looked up at Iris. In that moment, my heart hurt like a knife twisting in my chest.

The year her parents divorced, she lay awake night after night. I was the one who stayed with her. I cooked for her, did her laundry, took care of her, and helped her through that difficult time.

I never expected her to repay me like this.

“Yeah. I’ll listen to you.”

It took me a long time to pull myself back from those memories. By the time my vision cleared, the tears on my face had already dried.

When we got back into the car, the three of us were silent.

That didn’t last long, though, because Iris... was thirsty again.

“Gray, those honey cakes are so dry. I can barely swallow them. I want some bubble tea.”

Her voice grew softer and softer. By the last few words, she was carefully watching my expression.

My face remained perfectly calm, without a trace of displeasure.

Grayson hesitated for a few seconds before saying, “Iris, it’s... actually getting pretty late.

“But,” he changed his mind, “If you’re thirsty, we can stop and get you one.”

The moment he finished speaking, his phone began buzzing nonstop.

“Gray, where are you?

“Most of the guests are already here! We’re just waiting on you and the bride!”

Grayson gritted his teeth, hung up, and sped toward the nearest bubble tea shop on his GPS.