Chapter 1

PEYTON

I have always imagined the moment I would walk down the aisle.

The heavy doors would open. My uncle would squeeze my hand before giving me away. Then I’d see Logan waiting at the altar with that grin that had made me fall hopelessly in love with him during our sophomore year of college.

 It would be perfect.

“You’ve smiled at yourself at least twenty times in the last ten minutes."My friend, Holly’s teasing voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I laughed softly, meeting my reflection in the full-length mirror.

The ivory wedding gown hugged my waist before flowing gracefully to the floor in layers of satin and lace with pearls decorating the bodice.

“I can’t believe this is really happening,” I whispered.

“You deserve this happiness, Pey.”Holly walked over and rested both hands on my shoulders.

The makeup artist chuckled as she continued brushing highlighter across my cheekbones.

“I’ve worked with hundreds of brides,” she said. “I’ve never seen one glow this much.”

“She’s glowing because she’s marrying her first love,”another bridesmaid teased.

The girls erupted into laughter. I covered my face, unable to stop smiling.

People always said first love rarely lasted.

We had proved everyone wrong. A month after proposing, Logan had insisted we shouldn’t wait another year.

“Life’s too short,Pey” he’d said while slipping the engagement ring onto my finger. “I don’t want another sunrise without calling you my wife.”

Now everything I’d dreamed about was only two hours away.

My gaze drifted toward the clock but there was no sign of Demi.

She had been my bestfriend from sophomore year. She was also my maid of honor and was the first person who knew I liked Logan. 

“Has anyone heard from Demi? She hasn’t answered her calls,”I said.

“No.”the girls murmured

“That’s strange. It isn’t like Demi.”

I picked up my phone from the dresser. There were Three missed calls from my aunt and two from the wedding coordinator.

None from Demi. 

“What if something happened?” I murmured.

“Don’t think like that.”Holly immediately shook her head. “She wouldn’t disappear today of all days.

My phone vibrated and a familiar notification made my heart leap. It was from Logan 

“I knew he couldn’t survive one morning without texting you.” Holly grinned.

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

With a smile still lingering on my lips, I unlocked my phone, expecting another sweet message. Instead, one sentence appeared on my screen.

“I don’t want this anymore, Peyton. It’s over!”

The smile slipped from my face.

My fingers froze around the phone. For a long moment, I simply stared at the screen, convinced my eyes were playing tricks on me.

Logan wouldn’t do this.

He had spent months planning this wedding with me. Last night, he’d kissed my forehead before leaving the rehearsal dinner.

“Sleep well, Pey. Tomorrow, you’re officially mine.” He said.

How could that man send this message twelve hours later?

“Peyton?” Is everything okay?” Holly’s voice trembled at my expression.

The phone slipped from my fingers and knees buckled.

“Peyton!”Holly caught me before my head hit the floor, but I barely felt her arms around me. I couldn’t hear the questions being thrown around me.

All I could hear was Logan’s voice from last night, whispering sweet promises to me.Everyone stared at me as the room went silent.

Holly picked up my phone and read the message herself. Her expression changed instantly.

“Oh my God. Logan actually called off the wedding.”

Someone gasped, another person screamed.

“I need to see him.”I pushed myself upright.

Holly grabbed my arm.

“You can’t go anywhere like this.”

“I need answers! Damn it!”

If he had the courage to send that message, he could have the courage to say it to my face. And I needed to look into his eyes when he did.

I grabbed my keys. Holly followed me downstairs despite my protests and took the driver’s seat.

The moment the car pulled away, I called Logan. 

No answer. His best man didn’t answer either, Neither did the other groomsmen.

My fingers trembled around the phone as I stared out the window.Twenty minutes later, Holly pulled into Logan’s driveway. I jumped out before she had even put the car in park.

“Peyton!”

I ignored her. I ran to the front door and pounded on it.

“Logan! Open the door!

I tried the handle but it was locked.

“Logan, I know you’re in there!” I banged harder.

Holly hurried up behind me.

“Maybe he’s not home.”

“I know he is. Logan hardly goes anywhere.” I raised my fist again.

Before it could hit the door, the lock clicked.

I froze as the door opened. Demi stood on the other side and for several seconds, I couldn’t understand what I was seeing.

She was dressed in red lingerie that clung to her body like sin, a smirk plastered on her face.

“Demi?”  Holly stepped beside me. Her mouth fell open.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“What’s going on?” I heard Logan’s voice behind her. He suddenly came in view as he reached the door,

His hair was ruffled and his shirt was unbuttoned at the collar. He looked at me, a hint of hurt on his face.

“Logan.” My lips trembled as my eyes moved between them. “Tell me I’m misunderstanding this.”

Logan looked away. That was when I knew it was no prank or stolen phone. He had meant every word.

“Why are you doing this, Logan? Why today?”

“Because I can’t pretend everything is fine.” 

“What are you talking about?”my heart stopped.

“I’ve been trying to convince myself that what I saw wasn’t what I thought it was. I’ve spent days looking for another explanation, but I couldn’t find one.”

“What did you see?” My brows creased in confusion.

“It doesn’t matter  because whatever happened , I can’t unsee it.”

I shook my head, completely confused.

“I don’t understand.”

“That’s the problem. I don’t know if I ever really understood you.”

I felt something inside me go completely still. It didn’t make any sense. Why now of all times? Why did they come this far? 

There were so many questions I was itching to ask. Years  of memories and promises Reduced to one sentence. 

“Logan, whatever you think you know, we can fix it. If you think I did something, tell me what it is,” My eyes had become misty from unshed tears, my body was trembling.

“Um…if you don’t mind, you need to leave. We need to get back to what we were doing,” Demi smirked. “You and Logan were never a good match anyway.

“Demi! You helped pick my wedding ring and plan my bridal shower! How could you?” I screamed in pain.

“Well, I wanted to tell you, Peyton. I really did. But every time I looked at how happy you were, I couldn’t bring myself to ruin it.”

“You two are such bastards!” Holly screamed. “You waited till the wedding day to pull such a wicked act!”

“Peyton is the wicked one. She knows what she did,” Logan said.

“What! What the hell are you talking about?” I cried out.

“Don’t mind the bunch of bastards! They are just looking for an excuse. Let’s get out of here!” Holly grabbed my hand.

I looked at Demi.Then at the man I’d planned to marry.

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not in front of them.

I turned away before they could see my face crumble. With heavy steps, I walked toward the car with Holly beside me.

Behind us, the door slowly closed.The sound felt like the end of everything. 

As I got into the car, my phone vibrated.

 It was a message from the wedding coordinator.

“Where are you and Logan? Everyone is waiting. The ceremony was supposed to begin ten minutes ago”

I paused for a moment as it just dawned on me that this is over, then I broke down and cried my eyes out.