Chapter 4

He turned away to get dressed.

His brows stayed knotted, and every word carried resentment.

"You may not be tired of it, but I am."

It was as though he'd been holding back for years, and now everything burst out.

"And the engagement dinner. Didn't I tell you I only wanted to eat and leave? Why did your father make me thank everyone for coming? Why did we need group pictures?

"I've never been that embarrassed in my life."

Ryan slammed the door behind him.

I held the framed photograph against my chest.

The cold glass pressed through my shirt like an edge against my heart.

Over five years with Ryan, I'd abandoned the rituals I'd cherished since childhood.

In the end, he considered me a burden.

There wasn't much left to pack. I finished within two hours.

When I opened my social feed again, Sophie was eagerly documenting her day with Ryan.

Ryan can build a whole bookcase by himself. Look at my amazing mentor.

Ryan bought me two vases of flowers because a new apartment needs color.

And look at his beautiful handwriting.

Through her posts, I saw a version of Ryan I'd never known.

He hung a dust cover over the bookcase and placed one vase on the dining table and the other beside the entryway.

He also hung a small chalkboard on her door and wrote, "Sophie's new home. Good things ahead," with a smiling face beside it.

I lowered my phone and looked around our plain, nearly empty living room.

While I was still scrolling, Ryan came home.

He didn't look at me. He went straight into the bedroom.

A few minutes later, he emerged in a white T-shirt under a casual blazer.

I stared.

"Is something important happening?"

Only then did he notice me on the couch.

"Sophie's parents are flying in. I need to pick them up."

I stood.

"Ryan, I need to tell you something."

He was already in a hurry.

He changed into dress shoes, opened the door, and called back.

"Tell me when I get home."

He arrived and disappeared just as quickly.

Not long afterward, Sophie posted again.

Ryan was driving. Her parents sat in the back beside her dog, Milo, who wore a blue sweater.

Ryan dressed up just to pick up my parents. Even Milo got a new outfit. I'm starting to feel jealous.

Ryan replied beneath it.

"How many outfits have I bought you? Still not enough?

"Fine. I'll take you shopping again tomorrow."

I let out a bitter laugh.

He'd forgotten again.

Today was my birthday. Tomorrow was our courthouse appointment.

The first time he met my father, he'd shown up in shorts and an old T-shirt.

I defended him by saying he didn't care about appearances.

Apparently, he understood perfectly well that meeting someone's parents called for effort.

The movers arrived that afternoon.

I called Ryan, but he didn't answer. A little later, he sent a message.

His earlier anger hadn't faded.

"What could possibly require a phone call? This is about the courthouse tomorrow, isn't it?"

"Hannah, I've told you repeatedly that I won't wear a suit to sign paperwork. It's ridiculous. Don't wear a veil, and don't bring a photographer. I'm not humiliating myself for some staged courthouse pictures."

The movers carried out the final box.

I stood in the doorway and almost laughed.

"All right."

After sending those two words, I climbed into the moving truck.

Don't worry, Ryan.

I'd never embarrass him again.

At that moment, Ryan was raising a glass to Sophie's parents in a private dining room at the Bellrose Hotel.

His phone chimed, and he glanced at my reply.

"Welcome to Bellhaven. Sophie just graduated, so you'll have plenty of time to explore before she starts work."

He smiled politely, then held down the power button on his phone.

The thought of the courthouse photo trend online already made his head ache.

At last, everything was quiet.

He could deal with the rest at the Alder County Courthouse tomorrow.