Chapter 3

I went to the washroom to remove my ruined makeup.

When I got back to the living room and checked my phone, there was a livestream of Jordan’s wedding.

Something must have possessed me to click on the livestream.

Crystal was wearing the wedding dress I had designed, walking slowly toward Jordan.

Witnessed by the pastor, family, and friends, they promised never to leave each other.

It was only then that I understood how meaningless a promise could be. It was something that could just be said, not meant, even if it was said before a pastor or God.

Jordan and Crystal exchanged rings, even though the rings were engraved with my name.

They cut the wedding cake, even though the cake had my name on it.

Crystal threw the wedding bouquet, which was an arrangement I had spent three hours at the florist deciding on.

I watched all of this numbly through the livestream, feeling like the wedding I had anticipated for so long was nothing but a joke.

It was only until everything was nearly at an end that Jordan called me.

“The rehearsal’s over. I’ll get the driver to go and get you immediately. Once we have our wedding, don’t forget to apologize to Crystal. You owe her that.”

I did not reply. My gaze was still locked on the livestream on the screen.

I watched as Crystal opened a bottle of champagne, the bubbles spraying all over my wedding dress.

She only looked at herself coldly and said, “This dress is gorgeous, but it’s so hard to walk in it. Since it’s trendy now, I’ll change the design.”

With that, she lifted the hem of the skirt and ripped it hard. Fabric fell onto the floor as she laughed maniacally.

My eyes narrowed, and my fists clenched so hard that my knuckles went white.

My lips trembled as I gritted out, “How could you let her rip my dress?”

I had spent three grueling months designing that dress. My scrapped drafts could have filled an entire box.

All I wanted was to wear a dress that I could be proud of at my own wedding.

But the dress had been viciously ruined by Crystal and stomped under her feet.

I could not bear to watch my most precious design be demeaned this way.

I turned off the livestream, but the most painful words would come next from Jordan’s lips.

“It’s just a dress, Valerie. Don’t be so petty. If you want, we can pick you a new one at the shop.

“But Crystal only has one chance to wear a wedding dress. Besides, her parents are here. Do you want to embarrass her without a dress? None of your family members are here. None of them care about our wedding.”

Hearing the mention of parents, my heart squeezed painfully.

It was true that only those you loved could hurt you the most.

I tried my best to keep my voice from shaking even when every breath I took was achingly painful.

“Shouldn’t you be the most aware of why my family can’t come?”

Memories that I wanted to forget rushed into my head.