Chapter 3

Camden's phone suddenly began buzzing as we reached the door.

His expression darkened after reading the message. "Something's happened to Kirsty. I'll take you out some other day."

I grabbed his arm as he was about to leave. "If you walk out today, Camden, don't bother coming back."

Camden effortlessly pulled away from my grip. He frowned slightly, and his tone was laced with blame. "I love you, Ellie, but you can't be this unreasonable. This is an emergency. Once I've calmed Kirsty down, we can go get the ring exchanged.

"I promise, Ellie. Once the company is out of the woods, I'll throw a wedding to make it up to you. I'll give you anything you want."

I could see that he had made his resolve. So, I stopped holding him back. "As long as you've made up your mind. But, Camden, August 26—"

"Don't show up on August 26 and kick up a fuss, okay?"

Camden cut me off and hurried away without bothering to hear the rest of what I had to say.

I was getting married on August 26, too.

Camden had barely walked out the door when Kirsty casually sauntered down the stairs.

She looked me over as if she were evaluating a piece of merchandise.

"So, you're the tramp who's been clinging onto Camden. Didn't you get the warning I sent you a few days ago? Why are you still hanging around him?"

Kirsty sneered disdainfully. "Someone this poor thinks she can compete with me for a man? Consider this your final warning. Don't force my hand."

I raised an eyebrow. "If we're being honest, aren't you the tramp? I've never met a side piece that sticks her nose into someone else's affairs and acts all high and mighty about it."

"Eloise!" Kirsty stomped her foot in anger. "So what? When I want a man, I get him. What makes you think you even stand a chance against me, bitch?"

That was where she was wrong.

Only an idiot would fight over a scumbag like Camden.

If I'd seen him for who he truly was sooner, I could've saved myself the heartbreak.

It seemed that insulting me was not enough to calm her rage. With a wave of her hand, she bought out the entire store's collection of wedding gowns.

She shot me a smug look. "Try fighting back, bitch! I can buy more than just the wedding dresses. Camden is mine!"

Once she was done, she stomped off in her stilettos.

The owner, Maple Hearst, stared after Kirsty in shock. "Holy crap, we reached the year's sales quota just like that."

I nodded. "No reason to say no to free money."

Kirsty was certainly an extravagant spender. Unfortunately for her, this bridal boutique belonged to a friend of mine.

We were ultimately the ones profiting from the interaction.

Soon, August 26 arrived. My social media feed was flooded with news of Camden's wedding.

Annoyed, I deleted my Instagram account altogether.

I got into the bridal car. After roughly 20 minutes on the road, we ran into traffic just before reaching the church.

"Hey, man. My buddy's getting married today. Can you let us through?"

The voice sounded oddly familiar, prompting me to roll down the window. I was met with a face that looked like he'd just seen a ghost.

"What's going on, Harold? Are they not letting us through?" Camden walked over, dressed in a tuxedo.

Harold stammered anxiously, "That's… That's not it."

Camden frowned impatiently. "Then, what is it?"

"The bride inside… The bride is… is… is Eloise."