Chapter 3

Erica's POV

Joseph went still, then looked at Madelyn in surprise.

Madelyn immediately looked flustered, her eyes filling with tears.

"I'm sorry, Joe. I forgot Erica was allergic to walnuts. It's all my fault. Erica, will you forgive me?"

I nodded.

Madelyn clearly hadn't expected me to let it go so easily. Her tears stopped almost immediately.

But it wasn't really her fault. Joseph had forgotten too.

I grabbed some bread from the fridge and ate it while I got ready to leave.

Maybe Joseph felt guilty for forgetting about my allergy, because for once, he asked where I was going.

I slipped on my flats without looking up. "I have a prenatal checkup."

Joseph got up to get dressed. "I'll go with you."

Before I could refuse, Madelyn suddenly cried out. I turned to see scalding oatmeal all over her arm.

Tears sprang to her eyes from the pain, but she still pushed Joseph away. "I'm fine, Joe. Go with Erica to her appointment. I can get to the hospital by myself."

Joseph scooped her into his arms and snatched the car keys from my hand.

"I'll take Madelyn to the hospital first. We'll deal with your appointment when I get back this afternoon."

I didn't wait for him. I took a cab to the hospital by myself.

During the ultrasound, the doctor was relieved to tell me that the pregnancy was stable and the baby was going to be okay.

I'd already had a threatened miscarriage, and the pregnancy had been difficult from the start. More than once, I'd been afraid I was going to lose him.

But somehow, he'd held on every time.

By the time I left the hospital, it was already afternoon.

I found a nearby place to eat and checked my phone. A new post from Madelyn popped up on my feed.

The caption read, "Forever and always."

She'd posted one of the wedding photos of her and Joseph.

The comments were full of congratulations. Mom, Dad, and Joseph's parents were among the people congratulating them.

Everyone knew exactly what was going on. They were just pretending not to.

I smiled and liked the post too.

A few minutes later, my best friend, Carly Mullen, called.

"Erica, what the hell was that post from Madelyn? Does she have no shame? Joseph isn't her husband. Why is she posting something that romantic about him?

"And what is wrong with everyone in the comments? They're congratulating them like they're actually a couple!"

Despite how miserable I felt, Carly managed to make me laugh.

"How can you still laugh? Erica, I'm pissed off for you!"

I wiped away my tears. "None of that matters anymore, Carly. I applied for the overseas assignment. You'll see me next week."

She went quiet for a couple of seconds.

"What about you and Joseph?"

"Joseph and I are over."

There was no future for us. Joseph could live his life, and I'd live mine.

It was already 3:00 pm by the time I got home.

A neat stack of wedding invitations sat on the dining table beside piles of favor bags and chocolates, all of them Madelyn's favorites.

Joseph was writing names on the invitations with a calligraphy pen while Madelyn sat beside him, filling the bags with chocolates.

They looked completely at ease together, as if no one else existed.

I picked up one of the invitations and read it aloud. "You are cordially invited to the wedding of Madelyn Swanson and Joseph Crosby."

Joseph frowned.

Madelyn acted as if she'd only just noticed. "Oh my God, Joe! The print shop put my name where Erica's should be!"

She gave herself a light smack. "What are we supposed to do now? These were custom-made. I don't even know if there's enough time to have them redone. This is all my fault!"

Joseph looked at me, sounding unsure. "Maybe we should just use them. Everyone knows you're the one I'm marrying anyway."

I looked at him calmly.

Joseph never did anything without a backup plan. Yet somehow, this time, he didn't have one.

I'd always thought I was his Plan A.

Now I realized Madelyn had been his Plan A all along.