All Chapters of Can Tab Proposal? I'm Out: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

After the birthday party, Henry Judd helped Cecilia Cheape out of the mall, her gown trailing behind her.The night air was sharp. Ever the gentleman, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.As they climbed into the car, Henry finally noticed me—standing there, hollow-eyed, stunned. He rolled down the window."Can you hurry up? You're moving like a grandma. No clue why you're mad this time. It was just a birthday party, not a proposal."I let out a cold laugh, my gaze shifting to Cecilia, who was busy admiring the diamond on her finger."Didn't you say you were proposing today? You dragged me here just to watch you cozy up to her?"Henry leaned against the window, smirking. Unbothered."Didn't I already propose? So, you getting in or not? If not, we're leaving."I looked down. The can tab had sliced into my skin."So this is how little I matter to you."I flicked the tab onto the ground, right under his car.Cecilia frowned, tilting her head. "Lulu, are

Chapter 2

Night had fallen, and snowflakes drifted through the dark sky.I pulled my coat tighter and called my mom."I'll leave the wedding planning to you."She paused. "Alright. I'll send you Joe's contact soon. No matter what, I'm just glad you've come around."That was it—just a few reminders before she hung up.Thanks to Henry, I couldn't care less about the future anymore. I used to fight against meeting the guy my parents picked for me. But now? No matter how bad he was, he had to be better than Henry.The walk home wasn't far, but I stretched it into two hours.When I finally got back, Henry was still MIA. The place looked exactly the same—his clothes still scattered on the floor.Before, I would've picked them up without thinking, tossed them in the wash like it was my job. Now? I just felt like an idiot.So I walked straight to the bedroom and dumped them all in the trash.The candlelit dinner I'd carefully prepared? That went in, too.I'd imagined coming home after the pro

Chapter 3

Henry sighed, grabbed a cigarette from the nightstand, and lit up.I wanted to stop him. Again. But what was the point? I'd told him a million times—no smoking in the bedroom, laundry goes in the hamper, take out the trash before you leave.He never listened. Maybe because I never made him.I was done. If he wasn't gonna change, I'd walk away."Lulu, you seriously need to chill. Who else would even put up with you?" He flicked ash onto the floor like he owned the place. "And can you quit acting like Cece's your mortal enemy?"You're my girlfriend, she's my friend—I need you both in my life. So drop the breakup talk."He thought this was just another jealous tantrum. He had no clue I meant it.***Henry was already gone when I woke up.I grabbed my phone—one new friend request.Right. The guy my mom mentioned last night. I'd forgotten to add him, but Joe Arden beat me to it.[The wedding is set for ten days from now. If that feels too rushed, we can postpone.]Henry had wrec

Chapter 4

"I came to tell you something, not to drink for you."Cecilia smirked, sizing me up. "Wanna know what Henry said when he lost at truth or dare?"She leaned in, her cheap perfume practically choking me. "He said you're not even worth one of my fingers. Otherwise, why would he give you such a SPECIAL engagement gift? Isn't that right?"I stepped back instinctively, keeping space between us."I'm talking to Henry. No need for you to jump in and flex. I don't care what he has to say."Her smirk twitched. She huffed and flopped onto the couch.Henry, already irritated, ran a hand over his face. "What now? Another breakup speech? Still mad about yesterday? Can you stop with the drama? We're adults—act like it.""I'm serious. We're done, Henry." My voice was firm.He let out a cold laugh, like he didn't believe me. Then, without warning, he grabbed a glass of liquor and poured it over my head."You're clearly not thinking straight. Let me help you sober up."He refilled the glass. D

Chapter 5

I took a deep breath, grabbed my suitcase, and headed for the door.When I opened it, a nervous-looking guy stood outside."Uh... is this place for rent?"He looked like a broke college kid, probably just starting out. I gave him the lowest price possible.We signed the lease, and he moved in immediately. Henry's stuff? I dumped it all outside.By the time Henry called, I was already at the airport.He was furious, practically yelling. "Lulu Layne, have you lost your mind? You think a message like that will make me forgive you? Cece is still in the hospital!"The accusation was laughable.Cecilia drinking herself sick wasn't my problem. But Henry was so blindly devoted, he blamed me for everything."If she dies in the hospital, that's on her," I said flatly.Henry went quiet for a second before letting out a sharp breath. "I never realized you were this heartless. Guess I really misjudged you."Then, like he was punishing me, he added, "I won't be coming home for the next fe

Chapter 6

He had nowhere else to go, so he returned to Cecilia's place.That night—because of course—Henry called."Lulu, how could you just leave without saying anything? You're really gonna break up with me over this?"I gripped my phone, his pathetic tone making my skin crawl."I did say something. You just didn't care enough to listen."His temper snapped. "Aren't you being dramatic? I was planning to marry you! What's the point of leaving on your own? Haven't I treated you well enough?"I actually laughed. Right. I was the problem."If you really treated me well, would you have handed me a can tab like it was some precious gift?"If you cared, would you have pushed me to drink for another woman?"If I mattered, would you have just stood there while your friends tore me apart?"Your 'kindness' is exhausting, Henry. I don't want it."For the first time, I felt light. Saying it out loud, all of it, without hesitation or regret.Henry, though? Silent. Then, after a long pause, his v

Chapter 7

Three days before my wedding with Joe, Henry wouldn't leave me alone.Every day, he sent messages:[Lulu, look, I planned a proposal for you.][I bought you a diamond ring.][I even picked out a dress you'd love.]I scrolled through the photos. The ring was tiny—half the size of the one he gave Cecilia. The dress looked cheap, like something off a clearance rack.I didn't bother stopping him. I'd already told him I was getting married—he just refused to believe it.Since coming back, I hadn't even seen Joe yet, so my parents set up a formal dinner. The usual traditions. I went through the motions, smiling like I meant it, but Henry had drained any energy I had left to care.Joe was polite, well-mannered—and way too perceptive. His voice was gentle. "Lulu, if there's anything about the wedding you don't like, just tell me."I forced a small smile. "It's fine. Do whatever you want."I didn't have it in me to care about details anymore. Hope only led to disappointment.By the e

Chapter 8

At dawn, Mom knocked on my door."Lulu, look outside. See who's there."I grabbed my robe and headed to the window. The second I glanced down, Henry looked up.Our eyes met.Cigarette butts were everywhere at his feet. He looked wrecked—eyes shadowed, whole vibe drained.My phone buzzed. Henry.I answered, still watching him."If you're here for the wedding banquet, come back tomorrow," I said, deadpan. "Nothing's happening today."His grip tightened on his phone. His voice barely made it through. "I came to take you away, Lulu. I know you love me. You won't go through with this. If you change your mind, I'll leave with you right now."He stared at me, like if I said yes, he'd sprint up here.But I'd given him plenty of chances. He was the one who wasted them."I'm not going back with you," I said. "Give up already."***After breakfast, I figured Henry had finally given up. But when I stepped onto the balcony again, he was still there.Today was the final wedding rehears

Chapter 9

Worried Henry might still be lurking, I slipped in through the back door.Snow had been coming down hard all night, stacking up thick.From the balcony, my mom let out a sigh before heading inside. "He's still there. You gonna talk to him?"I shook my head and went straight to my room.The wind howled through the half-shut window, squeezing through the cracks with a grating whistle.Pulling my coat tighter, I peeked outside.Henry sat there, shivering so hard it was painful to watch—but he still wouldn't leave.Snow piled on his shoulders. He brushed it off, then just... sat back down.Like he could feel me watching, he suddenly looked up.I ducked behind the curtain, then crawled back into bed.***With way too much to do for the wedding, I was up by six.Henry was gone. Guess he finally gave up.By the time Joe's wedding car pulled up, my makeup was done.The makeup artist packed up her kit and smiled. "Congrats on your wedding."I forced a smile back. Would this reall

Chapter 10

Cecilia lunged at Henry, snatching the ring from his hand."Henry, wake up! Lulu doesn't want you—I do! Didn't you say I'm hotter than her? Wilder in bed? So tell me, who are you even putting on this pathetic show for now?"Henry's fists clenched. Then, without a second thought, he swung.The punch landed square on Cecilia's face. She didn't even have time to dodge. She hit the floor hard, coughing up blood—along with a few teeth.Henry just let out a cold laugh and stared down at her. "And you want me? Please. You're nothing but a used-up toy. Acting all innocent just because I threw you a birthday gift? You actually thought I cared?" His voice dripped with disgust. "I've only ever loved Lulu. You? You were just something to pass the time."He stepped forward.Cecilia shrank back, tears streaming as she scooped her broken teeth from the bloodied floor with shaking fingers."How dare you hit me? Did you forget who took you in when you had nowhere to go? You told me you hated Lul

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