Chapter 2

Ivy snapped, "I've already agreed to marry you. What are you still fussing about?"

Before I could respond, she was gone, drifting out of the room with a smile to talk to Jonah on the phone. My words were left hanging in the air, losing their shape and meaning before they could even reach her.

"But you were the one who proposed to me first. And I said yes because I loved you…"

In an instant, I had been demoted from a groom-to-be to a ghost haunting the sidelines of my own life. Even now, I had no say in choosing the wedding venue.

That night, I stayed at a friend's. Ivy never bothered contacting me once.

The next day, I finished my work handover and returned home, only to be met by the sound of Jonah's laughter. "There have to be flower petals drifting in from both sides during the vow exchange. That's romantic."

Ivy sat beside him, her eyes bright and fixed on his face in a way they hadn't been on mine. "Whatever you want," she responded.

When Jonah noticed me, he waved. "Theo, come here! I've got a brilliant idea for the wedding!"

I caught the flash of displeasure in Ivy's eyes the moment she saw me. "Why are you only getting back now? Jon's been busy planning the wedding for the past four months. On the other hand, you've done absolutely nothing.

"But it's just as well. Jon's taste is far superior. If we used your old-fashioned ideas, I would be the laughingstock of our social circle."

The familiar ache of being an outsider washed over me. "I'm tired," I said flatly. "I'm going to rest."

Ignoring her deepening scowl, I retreated to the guest room. As I closed the door, a message that I had rejected countless times before popped up again. "As long as you agree, I'll give up everything and crash the wedding."

Through the walls, I could still hear Jonah describing his dream wedding with castles and blooms. And again, Ivy's voice, soft and yielding. "Whatever you want."

It was fine. If Ivy belonged in a castle, I would head south and return home. I would let her go, setting myself free too.

I barely slept that night. Every time I closed my eyes, the last ten years with Ivy came flooding back. I had been her entire world; no matter who told her I wasn't good enough for her, she never wavered. She was always there, standing firmly by my side.

When my grandfather was still alive, he had once patted the back of her hand and told us he hoped we would be happy. Her eyes glimmered as she nodded and said, "Grandpa, don't worry. I love Theo more than I love myself. I'll never let him suffer. I promise we'll hold the ceremony in your courtyard so you can watch us get married!"

It was a promise that felt as solid as stone. But I had forgotten that time and tide could erode even the hardest rock.

The day before the wedding, I found a suit laid out in the living room. It was a gaudy, electric-purple jacket with pants so long they dragged on the floor. On top of that, a massive, garish red flower was pinned to the lapel.

Jonah greeted me eagerly. "Theo, look! I designed this for you. Vivi said you like the vintage vibe, so I studied vintage wedding styles and came up with this!"

Even with my heart already out the door, I still frowned when I saw the so-called wedding suit. "This looks like something worn in a circus, not a wedding."

Jonah's face fell. He took a slow, dramatic step back. "I'm sorry, Theo. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just thought you'd like it… I'll destroy it right now."

He grabbed a pair of scissors, aiming them at the fabric. Right on cue, Ivy rushed out of the study, snatching the blades from his grip.