It would’ve been a miracle if I hadn’t scolded him first.
But now? It took no effort at all to say, “Fine.”
Jason Danish’s furrowed brow relaxed, and he let out a sigh of relief.
“Then, tomorrow.”
Sophia Lockwood was waiting for him to have dinner, so he had no time to waste on me.
Jason left the hospital quickly, guilt written all over his face.
Once he was gone, the doctor told me I could go home.
I made myself a bowl of noodles when I got back. It tasted like cardboard. I added more salt, still bland.
It felt like my sense of taste was fading faster than I’d expected.
I finished the meal mechanically, then cleaned up and washed the dishes.
Finally, I lay down on the cold, empty bed.
I ran my hand over the other side. Ice cold.
Ever since Jason decided to marry Sophia, he’d moved out.
Now, the house was mine alone.
If I left, no one would be here anymore.
The next morning, my phone rang.
Jason’s voice came through, flat and detached. “I’m downstairs. Get ready and come down.”
I froze for a second. “Okay.”
When I opened the car door, I was surprised to see Sophia sitting next to him.
Her hair was perfectly styled in soft curls, her makeup flawless. She flashed me a smile that bordered on playful.
“Sorry, Chloe. I didn’t feel like getting out of the car. Do you mind sitting in the back?”
I nodded, keeping my tone neutral. “Sure.”
I climbed into the backseat, staring blankly out the window.
In the rearview mirror, I saw Jason glance at me every so often.
He cleared his throat. “Uh, Sophia wants to invite you to be her bridesmaid.”
I blinked. “Bridesmaid?”
Jason coughed awkwardly. “If you don’t want to, it’s fine. The wedding’s just a formality, you don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”
“I’ll go.”
Jason’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“Did you hear me? I said bridesmaid.”
“I heard you. I’m not deaf,” I replied, voice flat.
Jason’s expression darkened. “Fine. When Sophia picks her dress, you can pick yours, too.”
The divorce papers were signed. The final seal marking the end of my three-year marriage to Jason Danish.
Jason grabbed his copy and shoved it into his pocket, not even glancing at it.
I, however, took my time, reading over each line.
The documents might just be pieces of paper, but they had controlled so much of our lives.
I hadn’t even finished when Jason’s large hand snatched the papers away.
“What’s so interesting about it? It’s not like we’re really divorced,” he muttered, clearly annoyed.
The stamp on the paper disagreed.
Whatever. If that’s how he wanted to see it, fine.
Sophia’s wedding dress was gorgeous, covered in diamonds that sparkled like stars in the sunlight.
When Jason and I got married, he was fresh out of college and broke. Our wedding was… minimalist.
Back then, he promised me, “When I have money, I’ll throw you an even grander wedding, and you’ll wear the most beautiful dress.”
Three years later, he had the money, but all those promises were forgotten.
I looked down at the diamond ring on my finger and then glanced at Jason’s bare hand, a faint white mark where his ring had been.
Calmly, I slipped my ring off and placed it on the counter.
Following the store clerk, I started picking out bridesmaid dresses.
Each one was prettier than the last.
Then Sophia appeared behind me, holding up a long-sleeved, nude-toned dress with tulle.
“This one suits you,” she said, a hint of sweetness in her voice. It was hideous, outdated, and had zero style.
I didn’t even hesitate. “Then you wear it.”
Sophia’s eyes went wide. She bit her lip, pretending to be hurt.
“Chloe, this is a bridesmaid dress. I’m the bride.”
I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. She was practically on the edge of tears.
Jason tossed the dress at me and wrapped his arm around Sophia, comforting her with soft words before turning to scold me.
“Sophia is the bride. How could you suggest she wear a bridesmaid dress?”
“Chloe Hartwell, if you don’t want to be her bridesmaid, just say it. Don’t act like this.”
I wasn’t acting like anything.
Jason handed the dress to the clerk. “This one. Wrap it up.”
Fine. An ugly dress it was.
On the wedding day, the lawn at Green Ridge Estate was filled with balloons and framed photos of Jason and Sophia. Everywhere I looked, people were admiring them.
Dressed in that hideous bridesmaid dress, I held the rings, waiting for my cue.
Finally, it was time for the ring exchange. Step by step, I walked toward the bride and groom.
When I handed Jason the ring, he looked at me, his gaze filled with something unreadable.
He murmured softly, “Chloe, it’s just an act.”
I nodded, my expression calm.
The emotion in his eyes faded, replaced by a smile as he slid the ring onto Sophia’s finger.
The crowd erupted into applause, and the officiant said, “You may kiss the bride!”
I stood to the side, quietly waiting for them to kiss so I could finally take off my heels.
The shoes had been killing me all day. I lifted one foot to relieve the pressure.
When I glanced up, Jason’s eyes were fixed on mine.
He still hadn’t kissed Sophia.
Sophia urged him, her voice low and impatient. The guests waited in tense silence.
But Jason didn’t move.
His lips trembled. “Chloe, I…”
