His Ex, My Ruined Wedding

I was looking at myself in the mirror, the white fabric of my dress hanging nearby, a p

ked it up. An

el

t's me. B

girlfriend. They had a bad breakup years ago, and according

, Brittany?" I ke

hloe. She's in the hospital. It's bad. They don'

ears, and despite myself,

now it's your wedding tomorrow, I'm so, so sorry to ask, but could he... cou

e on his face that faded when he saw my

wouldn't ask if it

grabbing the ph

thetic game. We both know your mom is fine. You pull this k

ear!" she cried.

he said a

sten to her, Chloe. She's a liar. She's just trying

, but the raw grief in her voice felt real.

ly. "I know her. Let's ju

me away from the phone, pushing

white roses. I stood opposite Ethan, my heart so full it felt like it would burst

ing. "Do you, Ethan Hay

oors at the back of t

head t

red and swollen, her hair a mess. She wore a simple blac

asp went throu

rained from his face. He stared at Bri

er voice carrying in the silen

opped talking, u

nother. He started walking toward her, slowly at first, then breaking into a run. He rushe

I couldn't move, couldn't breathe

d inside my heels. My best friend, S

own the aisle, toward the sc

tany's arms. She was s

ing accusation. "You didn't come. She died, Ethan. She di

olding her tight as she cried into his shoulder. "I'm sorry,"

his wedding forgotten, his brid

me. "Ethan, what th

here. He quickly pushed Brittany away, thoug

ocence. "Oh, Chloe, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to in

g in sympathy for her. "Poor thing,

You brought an urn to a wedding, Brittan

know. I was just looking for a place to rent for a small memo

, but she said it with

d, defending her. His voice was sha

man who, just last night, had called this woman a p

voice steady. "Etha

s still fixed on Britta

a spectator. I chose to trust him, to give him the space to handle it. I retreat