Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I’d have a perfect dress, giving myself the wedding of my dreams. I wasn’t alone anymore. I had a home, a family.

But at the wedding, Olivia told me about Ethan’s frantic flight back. I didn’t really believe it. He and Olivia were finally together; he wouldn’t leave her to come back for me. I was wrong.

The Ethan I remembered was confident and impeccably dressed. The Ethan standing at my wedding was pale and haggard, clutching a jewelry box, staring at Daniel and me. Or rather, mostly at Daniel. I was startled.

He looked from Daniel to me, beckoning me with a crooked finger. Daniel was busy with his colleagues, so I went to Ethan, afraid he would make a scene.

“Please don’t cause any trouble. This wedding is really important to me,” I pleaded.

His face darkened. My plea seemed to enrage him. He gestured towards Daniel. “Avery, which one of us looks like him?”

I was confused. He repeated the question.

“Babe, me or him? Which one of us is the replacement?”

He called me “babe,” as if we were still together. He only used that endearment when he was happy. And his happiness usually revolved around Olivia. I’d rather he call me Avery.

My face hardened. “I’m not your babe, Ethan.” I gestured towards Daniel. “I’m his wife. Legally.”

Ethan stared at me, his face grim. I instantly regretted my words. He was a spoiled rich kid. There was no telling what he might do. I stood frozen, wondering how to get rid of him, when I heard Daniel calling my name.

I was anxious, but I tried not to show it, my mind filled with Ethan’s cold expression and the fear of my wedding being ruined.

Daniel didn’t seem to notice anything. He pulled me close, his voice soothing my anxiety. “Don’t wander off. I’ll lose you.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’m here.”

I leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. My anxiety melted away. I smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

He kissed me softly, and I pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. As long as Daniel was there, nothing else mattered. I kissed him with everything I had.

When the kiss ended, Ethan was gone. No scene, no drama. He’d just left. Olivia said he practically ran, like he was being chased. Then I got a text from an unknown number: You never smiled at me like that.

Olivia was still beside me, gesturing wildly.

“Ethan looked like he’d seen a ghost. I’ve never seen him so rattled, he even stumbled. What’s with him?”