Chapter 3

I looked at the few gifts left scattered around me, picked up the stuffed toy that had fallen when Jared slammed the door, and held it for a long while in silence.

My mom never believed in marriage but insisted a woman should have a child of her own. That was how I came into the world.

When I was 16, she left for a new career and love abroad, leaving me in the care of Grandma Eleanor of the Lanes.

When I first arrived at Lane Manor, I'd been drowning in grief from being abandoned. It had been Jared who came to me with this stuffed toy and talked to me. That toy had marked our beginning.

I packed it away into the box with everything else and dropped it into the trash, along with the last trace of my attachment.

…

"Yvie, have you really made up your mind?" Grandma Eleanor's grip tightened on my hand as her eyes fell on the divorce papers on the table.

"I have, Grandma Eleanor. This was never my place to begin with. It's about time I set everything back to the way it should be. And Jared has resented me for years too."

Seeing the tears brimming in her eyes, guilt pricked at me. She'd always loved me dearly.

"You had moved him four years ago," she whispered. "If only Maeve hadn't returned then… It's all my fault you've suffered for years, child."

She was right. I'd worked hard for three years to soften Jared's heart, and for a while, we were a happy married couple.

Just when I thought things were turning for the better, Maeve returned. Everything snapped to a halt, and his coldness toward me returned.

I repeatedly promised Grandma Eleanor that I'd visit her often before leaving under her reluctant gaze.

Just after leaving Lane Manor, I ran into Jared.

"The wedding's tomorrow. I'll stay home tonight, so I'm here to pick you up," he quickly said before I could speak.

I nodded and said nothing.

The car ride home was silent. I could feel his restlessness simmering as if he couldn't stand the pressure between us.

Out of nowhere, he asked, "How's Grandma?"

"She's well. You should visit her when you can."

After that brief interaction, silence followed, and Jared never said a word since. When he reached home, he went straight to his study and locked the door shut.

It might just be my imagination, but he almost seemed mad. But that thought lasted for just a moment when I realized that he'd never been warm with me anyway.

Later, I stepped out of the shower and intended to say goodbye when he came to me.

"Mae's running a fever. She's been weak lately and might not be able to handle it. I'll check on her and come back later."

For some reason, there was a flicker of guilt in his expression, and his tone sounded as if he was seeking my approval.

I swallowed my words, forced a polite smile, and nodded. "Alright. Drive safe."

Relief flickered across his face.

"I'll be back soon. Don't worry. I promised I'll be at the wedding tomorrow, and I will."

As he spoke, he swiftly grabbed his coat and slipped on his shoes. His final words faded with the sound of the closing door.

I laughed bitterly to myself, knowing he wouldn't be back that night. I'd wanted to give a final goodbye in person, but now, it seemed I wouldn't get the chance.

…

The next morning, I arrived at the wedding venue early, dressed in my gown with my hair and makeup done.

As I waited, the time for the ceremony ticked closer, but Jared had yet to show up.

"Ms. Snow, would you like to call Mr. Lane?" Astrid asked. Like always, she stayed by my side.

Seeing the concern in her eyes, I couldn't bring myself to disappoint her and nodded. Just as I grabbed my phone to call him, a notification popped up on my screen. Maeve had tagged me in a post.

In the picture, she wore the Lane family heirloom jewelry meant for the future Lady of the House. Behind her, Jared slept on the couch.

The caption read "The best day, the man I love, and the happiest me!"

Though I'd chosen to let go, my chest still tightened with pain the moment my eyes landed on the picture. I'd truly loved Jared for years, after all.

I slipped the phone away and forced a smile at Astrid. "No need to wait. I can do this on my own."

"Ms. Snow…" She looked stricken.

"It's fine. Let's go," I said, taking a deep breath. Then, I lifted my gown and walked toward the hall.

In those two short minutes from the dressing room to the altar, memories of the years I spent with Jared replayed in my mind. I'd thought leaving him would shatter me, but after taking the first step forward, I realized the world would never end even if I walked away.

Standing tall and graceful, I walked the wedding alone. And Jared never came, even after it ended.

Like all the others, the 13th wedding ended with his failed promise.

…

After the ceremony, I hailed a cab and headed straight to the airport. On the way, I sent Jared a message I'd typed long ago.

"I left the divorce papers with Grandma Eleanor. From today, everything returns to where it belongs. Be happy, and let's not meet again."

Without waiting for his reply, I blocked his number and deleted it from my phone.

Before boarding, I called the customer service and canceled my phone line, for good.