From Wedding Vows to GoodbyeChapter 1
After being a childhood sweetheart for twenty-two years, I finally received a proposal from Ethan Folden.
Our friends eagerly celebrated, teasing us to drink a cross-cup wine.
Shyly, I moved closer to Ethan with my wine glass, but the usual gentleman suddenly pushed me away with force.
I stumbled to the ground, shards of broken glass cutting into my palm.
Yet Ethan looked on coldly, scolding me for being shameless.
As I returned home from the hospital, I stumbled upon Ethan pressing his old flame, Lily Fischer, onto our marital bed, inching closer and closer to her.
“Will you come back? If you do, you’ll be the only bride for me,” he whispered.
Seeing them so entangled, I suddenly felt regret.
To avoid further humiliation, I chose to flee on our wedding day.
But after I left, the man who insisted on replacing me as the bride went mad searching for me across the world!
——
“Candace King, about that study abroad opportunity you mentioned last time… Is the spot still available?”
I tried to keep my voice steady as I spoke to my supervisor over the phone, standing under the dim streetlights.
Candace King paused, clearly puzzled by my question.
“It hasn't been filled yet. Why do you ask? Weren't you supposed to be getting married?”
The breath I had been holding finally released.
“No, the wedding is off. Can I still have that spot?”
“Of course! You’ve always been my most outstanding employee. If you come with me, I'd be thrilled!”
Hearing me change my mind, Candace's voice was filled with joy.
As I hung up, I could no longer hold back my tears, my sobs trembling with anguish.
The words from that night in the bridal chamber echoed in my mind, slicing through my nerves again and again.
After struggling to calm myself, the ill-fitting evening gown seemed to choke the very life out of me.
I found a clothing store and changed out of the dress.
That dress was custom-made for me by Ethan, and I loved it. But, unfortunately, it was one size too small.
Wearing it for a long time made it hard to breathe.
Ignoring the sales clerk’s look of regret, I tossed the gown into a trash bin.
Wearing clothes that fit again felt like a weight lifting off my shoulders.
As I stepped out of the store, my phone vibrated.
It was a notification from the surveillance camera I had installed while monitoring the renovation of our bridal home.