Chapter 4

There was an odd tension in the ballroom.

With the groom-to-be still nowhere in sight, the guests began whispering among themselves.

I sat at the head table, taking small sips of water.

The emcee hurried over, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Ms. Winslow, I need your final approval and signature on the program before we move on to the ring exchange."

He handed me a gold-trimmed program.

I took the pen and looked down at the page.

Next to the section labeled "Groom-to-Be's Speech," someone had added a handwritten note.

[Play Special Memories Slideshow]

I paused.

That hadn't been part of the program I'd planned.

"What's this?"

I pointed to the note.

The emcee wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Oh, Mr. Callahan asked us to add it just now.

"He said Ms. Dawson put together a video to celebrate your engagement and wanted it played on the big screen."

I looked up at the huge LED screen at the front of the ballroom.

The screen went dark.

A moment later, an upbeat pop song began to play.

Photos started appearing one after another.

The first showed Reid and Mallory together on their college campus. Mallory wore a white dress and smiled brightly while Reid looked down at her with unmistakable fondness.

The second was from a ski trip they'd taken together.

The third showed Reid smearing birthday cake on Mallory's nose.

And then came more.

More than a hundred photos.

Every single one was from Reid and Mallory's past.

Not one of them included me.

The guests fell silent.

The awkwardness in the room became almost unbearable.

Mom was trembling with anger as she pointed at the screen.

"What... what is this? What is Reid trying to do?"

I gently lowered her hand and gave it a reassuring pat.

"Mom, don't get worked up. It's not good for you."

I turned and saw Reid coming out from backstage.

He seemed to notice the photos too. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.

But he made no move to stop the slideshow.

Instead, he came over and lowered his voice.

"Mal said she wanted to be part of our special day. They're just a few old photos. Don't let it bother you.

"Her stomach just started feeling better, and she's still emotionally fragile. I don't want to upset her right now."

I looked at his matter-of-fact expression.

He thought I'd be reasonable.

He thought that, just like always, I'd swallow every hurt to keep the peace.

"I don't mind," I said softly.

Reid visibly relaxed and reached for my shoulder.

"I knew you'd understand."

I stepped away from his touch.

Then I lowered my eyes to the program in my hands.

My gaze fell on the line labeled "Bride-to-Be: Cora Winslow."

I uncapped the pen.

One hard stroke across my name.

Then another.

By the time I lifted the pen, "Cora Winslow" had been crossed out.

The emcee's eyes widened.

"Ms. Winslow, what are you..."

I handed the program back to him.

"You can leave me out of the rest of the program."

Reid's expression changed.

"Cora, what are you doing?

"Do you really have to make a scene in front of everyone?"

There was a warning in his voice.

I ignored him.

I bent down and carefully helped Mom to her feet.

"Mom, let's go. We'll head back to the hospital."

She looked at me, tears spilling down her cheeks again.

But she didn't ask a single question. She simply nodded.

"Okay. I'll go with you."