Chapter 3

3

A dark hiking jacket, matching boots, and the latest sneakers.

An expensive-looking camera around my neck and a coffee in my hand.

Not a hillbilly in sight.

Bethany's gaze landed on me, and she looked surprised, too.

"Nathan."

She said my name like a stranger.

A world away from how she spoke to Ethan.

I used to resent that. Argue about it.

But not anymore.

"Bethany."

I took a sip of coffee, polite.

Bethany frowned.

"It's only been three years. Do we have to be strangers? "

"I'm your fiancé. Is that how you talk to me? It's going to take some time for you to learn your lesson."

"If you keep acting like this, I'm going to end the engagement."

I gave her a look.

What made her think I still wanted her after three years?

I became an orphan when I was ten.

Bethany's grandpa took me in and announced that I was Bethany's future husband.

From that moment, I knew that Bethany would be my wife.

So, I let myself fall for her, bit by bit.

When things were good, she told me she loved me.

She wanted to be my wife.

Until Ethan moved in, and everything changed.

I watched my attention get yanked away, saw her favoring him.

I argued, gave her the cold shoulder, even picked fights with Ethan.

It always ended with me getting yelled at.

Then, Ethan's watch went missing.

Bethany immediately accused me.

I didn't like Ethan, but I wouldn't steal.

Plus, my eight-year-old cat was sick in the hospital at the time.

Bethany gave me the cat for my birthday.

She said it was a testament to our love.

I rented a place near the vet to take care of it and hadn't been back to the Henderson's in ages.

I stood my ground with Bethany.

But his watch turned up in an old jacket of mine.

Bethany slapped me.

Just as she was about to let loose, I held up my ring.

"Sorry, Bethany. I'm married now."