Too Late To Claim The Bride

CORA

"I think we can start the party now," Annie announced, raising her glass, but before others could scream, the door flung open.

"Not without me."

I shared a look with Annie as mumbles filled the air. Candice strolled into the room with a wide smile on her face.

"Why is she here?" Annie whispered to me.

Candice looked around, her smile not wavering.

"Why do you all look surprised to see me?

I forced a tight-lipped smile.

"I wasn't expecting you."

Her smile widened. "Well, I'm your friend, right?"

We weren't friends. She was more or less an acquaintance.

"We thought you would be at the bachelor's eve, after all, Leon is your best friend," Annie pointed out.

Candice turned to her. "I'll rather support my friend's bride."

Annie scoffed. "Is that why you're wearing the same dress as the bride? Is that what you call support?"

I pinched my best friend, but she swatted my hands off immediately. Annie was the definition of straightforward; she never backs out of anything.

Candice looked down at her white dress as if it was news to her that she was obviously putting on the same dress as me. It was exactly the same. Almost like we bought the set together.

"Oh." She chuckled. "Leon never told me you picked the same dress. I only know the dress code is white. I didn't think such a coincidence would happen." She took my hand. "I'm sorry if it makes you feel uncomfortable."

"Are you truly sorry?" Annie's voice came sharply from behind me.

I nudged her side, but she continued. "Do you really expect us to believe you?"

Candice faced her squarely. "You think I chose this intentionally? What do I stand to gain?"

I could feel Annie's desire to retort beside me, but knowing them, it would definitely turn into a battle of words, and we needed to get this bridal shower started. I don't want any negative feelings on one of my happiest days.

"Let's just start the party," I announced, turning to my other friends, who immediately supported me by screaming in excitement.

"I'm so happy for you and Leon. This is my gift," Candice said, dropping the small box on the table in front of me, where others had placed their gifts earlier. I wasn't really expecting to get that much.

My lips spread into a smile. "Thank you."

"The best gift would be changing your dress. I think there's a boutique in the resort. We don't want others thinking you're the bride," Annie snapped. Of course, she never gives up.

Candice's face paled. Her smile vanished as she turned to me with an apologetic look.

"I truly didn't have an idea you'd be wearing the same dress. I only shopped for it last night. If I knew, I would have just worn my old white dresses. I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable at your bridal shower."

My smile increased. "It's fine. You don't have to worry."

I knew she wouldn't do it intentionally. Candice had always been supportive of my relationship with Leon. Even though they've been friends since birth, she knew her boundaries. I genuinely believe her words.

Candice cleared her throat. "Well, we're starting with the trivia game."

She pulled the deck of cards from the other end of the table.

"Your husband will be playing the same game, too. Whoever gets the right answer, or rather, whoever scores the highest, will get a gift tomorrow." She faced me fully. "Are you up for it, our lovely bride?"

I bobbed my head, then Candice settled in the empty space beside me.

"I believe you'll both score the same. You know each other better than anyone," she added, scowling at Candice from the corner of her eyes.

Annie never liked Candice. To her, she believed they couldn't just be best friends for so long, but I knew their relationship was pure and platonic. Sometimes, I wish I had such a beautiful and long-lasting friendship.

Noise filled the room as others drummed on the table in excitement.

"Where is Leon's favourite place to travel?"

I pressed my lips together.

"You have just three seconds to answer," Annie announced.

"Italy," I reply ecstatically.

"Spain."

I turned to Candice. She only smiled before turning back to Annie.

"The question is meant for the bride alone," Annie reminded in a sharp tone. Then she cleared her throat and turned to me with a small smile.

"You're...wrong."

My brows furrowed.

"It's Spain," she said in a mumble, but it was audible enough for me to hear.

I heard a soft sound by my side, not quite a laugh. Candice had her hand pressed lightly over her mouth, and her eyes were bright. She looked directly at me with an expression that could have been sympathy but really wasn't.

Her lips thinned. "He always said Barcelona," Candice said lightly, her eyes on me. "Even before our trip."

My chest tightened. Trip? I'd never heard about it. Leon never told me he went on a trip with Candice. I know they were good friends, but he'd always mentioned he preferred travelling alone before we met.

Italy was actually our only overseas trip. He never failed to remind me that it was his favourite trip ever, so how did his answer change to Spain?

"Can you not say anything? The question is for the bride," Annie reminded her, and Candice rolled her eyes before turning to me with an apologetic grin.

But I couldn't stop thinking about it. When Annie asked me the next question, it almost felt like I was having a competition, trying to prove myself right.

"You did well. We'll know the winner tomorrow," Annie announced.

"I'm sure Cora will be the winner," Candice said, flashing me a genuine smile.

She picked up the wine glass on the table, and that's when I saw it.

She was wearing the same ring as mine.

"We need to take pictures, Cora," Annie shouted, pulling my hand, but I couldn't keep my eyes away from Candice. I needed to be sure I saw right.

When she sipped on her drink, I realised it was exactly the same. The shape, the design, even the tiny flaw near the band. It wasn't just identical.

It was the same ring Leon told me was custom-made for our engagement. According to him, he had contacted the designer himself, and there was no second piece in the world.

Why was Candice wearing a second piece beside me?

I told myself not to think too much about it. Maybe Candice had contacted the same designer. Maybe it wasn't custom-made as Leon claimed. That could happen.

I didn't want to overthink things, but I just couldn't stop feeling like it was ridiculous. First it was my dress, now my ring?

"Did you get the ring recently?" The words left my mouth before I could give it another thought.

Candice placed the wine glass on the table as the solemn music filled the room.

"Oh, this?" She touched the ring, my insides churning.

"Leon got it for me."

A sharp zap ran down my spine.

"He got it for you?" I asked again.

She smiled. "Yeah, he actually gave it to me after your engagement party. It does look like your own, right?"

My throat tightened.

"Looks like we're twinning a lot today." She chuckled.

I swallowed hard, forcing the burn down with my drink.

I poured another drink before I finished the first one.

"Careful," Annie warned. "You're going to get drunk." She collected the bottle from me. "Are you not taking pictures anymore?"

"You guys should go ahead. I'll join you."

She narrowed her eyes at me, but Annie was observant. She must have guessed I needed a moment, because she walked back to the others without pressing.

I downed the drink.

As I set the glass on the table, the room tilted slightly.

I blinked, trying to steady myself.

But everything started to blur, and the last thing I heard was Candice's faint voice.