Chapter 3

3

"Ms. Avery, the little one is three months along. Everything looks healthy. Are you absolutely sure about the procedure?"

The doctor asked gently, a hint of pity in her eyes.

I stared at the tiny shape on the ultrasound screen. I could almost imagine what he would have looked like growing up.

I wiped a tear from my eye and nodded firmly.

Even though I had prayed for this life for seven years, I had to sever every tie with Landon. If I didn't, I knew I'd be weak.

Seeing my resolve, the doctor sighed and scheduled the appointment for that afternoon.

As I lay in the hospital bed waiting, the TV in the room was broadcasting the local news.

"The Wedding of the Century: Lu Group CEO Marries His Secretary!"

I thought I would break down, but I just felt a strange sense of peace. It was exactly what I expected.

I watched Macy walk down the aisle in that pure white gown. She looked like a princess―holy and beautiful.

To be fair, the dress was stunning.

The diamonds on the train sparkled like stars under the sun.

Too bad it wasn't for me.

My phone started buzzing on the nightstand.

I saw Landon's name and almost didn't pick up. But after seven years, I felt I owed him a final goodbye.

The second I answered, I didn't give him a chance to speak. "Happy wedding, Landon. Make sure you finalize the paperwork soon. Don't let Macy stay an unofficial wife for too long."

Something about my words set him off. The line was silent for a second before his voice exploded.

"Avery, are you done being a brat? It's just a dress! Why are you still holding onto this? If you hadn't run away, I wouldn't have had to ask Macy to stand in as the bride!"

"Did you expect me to tell the whole world that my bride disappeared the day before the wedding?"

It was about the dress, but it was about so much more than that.

He knew where my deepest trauma lay.

He chose to ignore it. He wanted me to just "get over it."

But some things can never be forgotten.

"Isn't this what you wanted?" I asked softly. "Now everyone knows she's your perfect partner."

The cameras couldn't get too close to him, but I could see him on the screen, rubbing his temples in frustration.

"Avery, this ceremony is just for the media. You're still the real Mrs. Lu."

The ceremony was about to start. Macy reached out and took Landon's arm.

She reached up to straighten his tie with a familiarity that suggested she'd done it a thousand times. She looked like the perfect, doting wife.

Landon held the phone in one hand while using the other to gently adjust Macy's veil. His expression was incredibly tender.

Maybe the little life inside me felt its father marrying someone else, because a sharp pain shot through my stomach.

I gripped the phone tighter, staring at Landon on the screen.

"Landon, I'm serious about the divorce. I don't want to be Mrs. Lu anymore. And I'm saying goodbye to the baby today."

"Now that you know that... are you going to leave the wedding and come to me?"