Chapter 3

"Don't sweat it. It's just a wedding dress. He shouldn't make a big deal out of it, especially since his mom doesn't even get my style.

"The dress you changed—it fits me!"

My eyes drifted to the shredded, stained mess of a wedding dress on the couch.

Calling it a wedding dress was generous; it was more like a slip than a gown.

I could not help but laugh, the kind of laugh that bubbled up when anger left me unable to think straight. I hurled the ruined dress right at Jane's face.

"Perfect fit! It's as trashy as you are!"

Jane's face turned a shade of thunder, and she swung at me.

I dodged and returned the favor with a slap of my own.

Max, ever the instigator, chimed in while Jane tried to regain her composure.

"Mr. Ferguson, we've known each other for ages. If there was anything real between us, she wouldn't be walking down the aisle with you!

"Hurry up and apologize! Tonight I was just test-driving this marriage for you; you should be thanking me!"

Jane, cradling her cheek, spat out her command from Max's arms.

"Seth, Max was only trying to help you try out this marriage, and this is how you repay him? You're being ungrateful! No wonder your mom died so early! It's your karma!"

Her words cut through me like a knife, and I felt every inch of the sting.

Max grinned at me, a winner's grin, and dropped a bombshell that made me wish the ground would swallow me whole.

"Sweetheart, thank goodness you snagged that appointment with Dr. Johnston, or I'd be stuck with a nasty scar on my hand!"

Jane's eyes were brimming with warmth as she planted a soft kiss on his forehead. "You've got to be more careful. Who knew you could slice your hand open that badly just making dinner? You're such a klutz!"

I could not help it; my body shook with tremors I could not control. If only we could have gotten Dr. Johnston for my mom's last surgery, she might have had an eighty percent chance of making it. However, on the day of the surgery, Jane rushed through the pouring rain only to bring the terrible news that Dr. Johnston was unexpectedly called away.

I just found out that the doctor the Fergusons pulled strings to get was actually used by her to treat a minor cut on her guy's best friend's hand.

Jane must have seen the color drain from my face because she casually tried to justify it. "Seth, your mom had a good, long life. Max, on the other hand, is a designer. He can't afford any mistakes with his hands!

"I know I let you down with this, but haven't I promised to marry you?" she continued.

"Keep this up, and you can kiss the wedding goodbye!"

She positioned herself protectively in front of Max, her eyes wary, fixed on me like a shield. It was just like that time years ago when she used her slim body to shield me during the typhoon. Only this time, she was not standing up for me.

"Alright, then no wedding. Wouldn't want to inconvenience you," I said, my voice steady and clear.

She seemed taken aback by my resolve, but Max was fuming. "Mr. Ferguson, you can't just dismiss marriage like it's nothing! I tailored that wedding dress for my best friend myself, just to see her walk down the aisle.

"Take it up with me if you're upset, but don't you dare take it out on her," he snapped.

I looked at Jane, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and without a word, I slid the ring off her finger.

"Good thing we never made it official with a marriage license. I'm taking my ring back, and you've got two hours to pack up and get out of my place."

Jane let out a snort and gave me an eye roll that could have frozen the sun.

"Save it. Your little games won't work on me. I said yes to marrying you. What more do you want?

"I'll be there for the wedding today, right on time. However, heads up, we're switching the scene to a garden!"

"Max has an old suit that'll fit you. Forget about some old-school traditional wedding. People would crack up if they heard about it.

"You've got two hours. Don't be late."

Her face was all confidence, her finger jabbing so close to my eye I could almost feel it.

Without a second thought, I dialed the cops and reported a case of solicitation.

As she shrieked and cursed, I snapped a few more pictures, grinning.

"Can't wait to see you behind bars!"

I bolted for home.

After texting a number that felt both familiar and strange, I stood in front of my mom's portrait, apologizing over and over.

I lit a candle for her, then pushed the door open.

There was Christina Harris, my sworn enemy, all decked out in a vintage wedding dress, smiling like it was Christmas. She grabbed my hand.

"Come on, we've got a wedding to get to!"