3
In the past, I wouldn’t have agreed so easily.
Not scolding him first would’ve been a miracle.
But now, it took no effort at all to say, “Fine.”
Jason Danish’s furrowed brow relaxed, and he exhaled in relief.
“Then, tomorrow.”
Sophia Lockwood was waiting for him to have dinner. He had no time to waste on me.
Jason left the hospital quickly, guilt written all over him.
After he left, the doctor told me I could be discharged.
I went home and cooked myself a bowl of noodles.
They were tasteless. I added more salt, but the flavor didn’t change.
It seemed my sense of taste was already fading, much faster than I’d expected.
I finished the meal mechanically, then methodically cleaned up and washed the dishes.
Finally, I lay on the cold, empty bed.
I ran my hand over the other side–it was ice cold.
Ever since Jason decided to marry Sophia, he’d moved out.
The empty house was mine alone.
If I left, no one would live here anymore.
The next morning, I was woken by the ringing of my phone.
Jason’s cold voice came through. “I’m downstairs. Get ready and come down.”
I froze for a second. “Okay.”
When I opened the car door to the passenger seat, I realized Sophia was there too.
Her hair was in soft curls, her makeup impeccable. She smiled at me, almost playfully.
“Sorry, Chloe, I didn’t feel like getting out of the car. Do you mind sitting in the back?”
<
I nodded. “Sure.”
I climbed into the backseat, staring out the window with a blank expression.
In the rearview mirror, Jason’s gaze flitted toward me now and then.
He cleared his throat. “Uh, Sophia wants to invite you to be her bridesmaid.”
I looked at him, puzzled.
Jason coughed again. “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 expression shifted to one of surprise.
“Did you hear me? I said bridesmaid.”
“I heard you. I’m not deaf,” I replied.
Jason’s face darkened, and he snapped, “Fine. When Sophia picks her dress later, you can pick your bridesmaid dress.”
When the seal stamped down on the divorce papers, it marked the end of my three–year marriage to Jason Danish.
Jason grabbed his copy of the decree and stuffed it into his pocket without so much as glancing at it.
I, on the other hand, took my time, carefully examining every word.
The documents were just different pieces of paper, but they ruled
most of our lives.
I hadn’t finished reading when a large hand snatched the paper
from
- me.
Jason’s tone was annoyed. “What’s so interesting about it? It’s not like we’re really divorced.”
The stamp begged to differ.
Whatever. If that’s how he wanted to see it, so be it.
Sophia’s wedding dress was stunning, adorned with diamonds that sparkled in the sunlight.
When Jason and I got married, he was fresh out of college and broke. Our wedding had been minimalist, to say the least.
He had promised me back then, “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 money, but those promises were long forgotten.
I looked at the diamond ring on my finger, then noticed Jason’s hand was bare, leaving only 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 began picking out bridesmaid dresses.
Each one was prettier than the last.
Sophia appeared behind me suddenly.
“Chloe, I think this one suits you,” she said, holding up a long–sleeved, nude–toned dress with tulle. It was hideous and outdated.
I replied evenly, “Then you wear it.”
Sophia bit her lip, feigning hurt.
M
“Chloe, this is a bridesmaid dress. I’m the bride.”
1 instinctively furrowed my brow. She was on the verge of tears again.
Jason tossed the dress to me and wrapped an arm around Sophia, comforting her softly 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 so. Don’t act all pitiful.”
What? I wasn’t doing anything.
Jason handed the dress to the clerk. “This one. Wrap it up.”
Fine. An ugly dress it was.
On the wedding day, balloons surrounded the lawn at Green Ridge Estate, and the area was decorated with countless framed photos of Jason and Sophia.
The guests all looked on enviously.
Dressed in the hideous bridesmaid dress, I held the rings, waiting for my cue.
Finally, it was time for the ring exchange. Step by step, I approached the bride and groom.
When I handed Jason the ring, he looked at me, his eyes holding an unreadable emotion.
He murmured softly, “Chloe, it’s just an act.”
I nodded to show I understood.
The emotion in his eyes faded, replaced by a smile as he slid the ring onto Sophia’s finger.
Applause erupted, and the officiant announced, “You may kiss the bride!”
I stood quietly to the side, waiting for them to kiss so I could finally take off my heels.
The ill–fitting shoes had been digging into my feet all day. I lifted one foot to relieve the pain.
When I glanced up, Jason’s eyes were locked on mine.
He still hadn’t kissed Sophia.
Sophia urged him quietly, her voice impatient. The guests stared expectantly.
But he didn’t move.
His lips quivered. “Chloe, I…”
