Scars of the Abandoned Bride

In the morgue, I stared down at my grandma's lifeless body, fresh tears blurring my vision.

On my phone screen, a recent text from Bella Reid lingered. It was a video of her clinging to Ethan's hand while they stared at each other under a sky full of fireworks.

[I told Ethan I wanted fireworks, so he planned a whole night of them. He's always loved me the most!] she'd written, smug as ever.

The whole glittery scene felt like a slap. The silence in the hospital was ice-cold, pressing on me like a weight.

Yesterday was supposed to be my wedding day. Right before we exchanged rings, Ethan got a call and just... walked out. My grandma, sitting in the front row, was so shocked she started coughing up blood. I begged for help, but all anyone did was laugh at my misery.

I called Ethan again and again. No answer. By the time I got my grandma to the hospital, it was too late. She was gone.

Ethan left our wedding for Bella.

Even through my grief, I arranged her cremation and planned a small funeral. Just as it started, Ethan walked in—with Bella right there beside him.

"No wonder my eye's been twitching the last two days," Bella said, pretending to look sad. "I guess it was because my hamster died." Her eyes shimmered, like she was trying to look teary.

Ethan stroked her head, all gentle. "Don't be sad. I'm here."

Then he looked over and noticed me.

"Grace, what are you doing here?" he asked, like I had zero reason to be at my own grandma's funeral.

I looked at him, icy. "Today is my grandma's funeral."

She'd loved Ethan, trusted him. I'd hoped he'd at least show her some respect, maybe a last apology to give her some peace.

Ethan scoffed. "You expect me to believe that? Last I heard, the doc said your grandma was in great health—probably had a few years left in her."

Before I could even respond, he added, "Don't tell me this is some stunt of yours. Bella's hamster just died, and here you are, taking over the funeral hall? You didn't really lie about your grandmother's death just to get my attention, did you?"

My face went cold.

This was on me—I'd let him get so wrapped up in himself that he actually believed everything I did revolved around him. But now? I was done explaining anything to him.

Bella chimed in, all fake sympathy. "Ethan, don't be mad. I'm sure Grace only did it because she loves you so much and wanted your attention. It wasn't intentional. I shouldn't have kept asking for your time—she probably just misunderstood."

She put on this innocent tone, but the dig was clear—she was making me out to be some obsessed, jealous idiot.

I locked eyes with her. "Shut up."

Bella's shoulders trembled, and she let out a little sob. "I'm sorry, Grace. This is all my fault," she whimpered, all helpless.

Ethan glared, pulling her close like he had to shield her from me. "Stop bullying Bella. If anyone needs to shut up, it's you."

Bella shook her head, all saintly. "I'm fine, Ethan. Let's just have a funeral for my hamster."

Ethan nodded, signaling to security. "Clear the room. We're giving her hamster a proper funeral."

I just stared at him, numb. "Ethan Carter, are you insane?"

The absurdity hit me hard. He was really about to shut down my grandma's funeral—for a hamster?