Chapter 4

When I got home from the bridal shop, my arm was still throbbing. The bleeding had stopped, but the bandage clung to my skin. Even the slightest movement tugged at the wound and sent a sharp sting through my arm.

The living room lights were on, but the pictures on the wall had changed. The pre-wedding photo of Natalie and me that had once hung there was gone.

In its place was a photo from the bar last night. Natalie and Benjamin stood together, holding up their marriage certificates. Benjamin wore a broad grin, while Natalie gazed at him with a smile in her eyes.

Beneath it was a note from Veronica.

[Backup photo for the wedding reception. Logan shouldn't mind, right?]

I stood in the living room and stared at it for a long time. Everyone knew I'd mind. They just didn't care.

Tears fell without warning. I raised a hand to wipe them away, but the more I wiped, the more they came.

This was supposed to be the home Natalie and I would share after we got married. Yet as I stood there, I felt like someone who had wandered into someone else's home by mistake.

A copy of the wedding schedule lay on the coffee table. After the groom's entrance, there was a segment titled "Childhood Sweetheart's Blessing."

The notes read: [Benjamin enters through the side door in the white backup suit. Bride brings him onstage as a surprise.]

I almost laughed. They hadn't even considered whether this little surprise might humiliate me.

When I went into the bedroom to pack my things, I noticed another gift box on the nightstand. Inside was the boutonniere Benjamin was supposed to wear as a groomsman tomorrow.

The card read: [The most special childhood sweetheart deserves to stand closest to the bride.]

When Natalie came back, she still smelled like hospital disinfectant.

The moment she saw me packing, her expression darkened. "Logan, are you done yet? You've already taken off the ring, said you wanted to break up, and now you're packing your bags. The wedding is tomorrow. Do you really have to drag everyone through all this?"

I pushed the wedding schedule toward her. "Is this me causing trouble too?"

Natalie glanced at it, and her brows drew together even tighter. "It's just something planned for the reception. Everyone's only doing it for fun. Can you stop taking everything so personally?"

I raised my still-aching arm. "I got hurt today. You didn't even ask if I was okay."

She rubbed her forehead with an impatient sigh. "Can't you take care of that little injury yourself? Benjamin was so scared he nearly passed out. What's wrong with me taking him to the hospital first?"

I looked at her. "If he's still there tomorrow, I won't be."

Natalie let out a cold laugh. "Are you threatening me with the wedding? The invitations have already gone out. Our relatives are already here. The hotel and wedding planner are booked. Logan, if you don't show up now, you're the one who's going to be embarrassed."

The living room fell silent.

I finally understood.

She wasn't afraid I'd leave. She was certain I wouldn't dare.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Benjamin. His voice sounded hoarse. "Natalie, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. My stomach still hurts a little. I probably overdid it with something cold earlier. Go comfort Logan. He's probably furious with you after today."

Natalie immediately asked, "Where are you?"

He lowered his voice. "At the hotel. I'm really fine. I'll tough it out on my own for a while."

Natalie barely hesitated before she grabbed her car keys and headed for the door.

I called after her, "Natalie."

She stopped at the door, her voice already edged with annoyance. "What now?"

I stared at her back. "If you leave today, I won't be there to marry you."

She was silent for a few seconds, then spat, "Suit yourself."

The door closed behind her.

I pushed the box containing my wedding suit toward the door. Then I tore the wedding schedule in half and laid the pieces over the photo of Natalie and Benjamin holding their marriage certificates.

I picked up my phone and messaged the wedding planner.

[Keep the wedding tomorrow. Change the groom's name to Benjamin Henderson.]

After I sent the message, I stared at the screen for a long time.

Suddenly, it all seemed perfectly reasonable.

There was no place for me in the wedding party. His birthday was engraved inside my engagement ring. The wedding suit had been altered to fit him. Their marriage photo had replaced ours as the welcome photo.

Even everyone else thought Natalie and Benjamin looked more like a couple. If that was what they wanted, I'd give it to them.

The wedding planner replied almost immediately.

[Mr. Wilson, are you sure? Changing the groom's name requires confirmation.]

I replied, [I'm sure. Congratulations to the happy couple.]

The moment I sent it, two messages from Natalie popped up.

Natalie: [Benjamin just fell asleep.]

Natalie: [Stop this nonsense. I'll come back tomorrow morning and marry you.]

I stared at the two messages, then turned off my phone, picked up my suitcase, and left the house.