Chapter 3

3.

Sitting in the stretch limo, I clutched the Polaroid picture.

It wasn't just because Buddy, my companion of ten years, was in it. It was because Liam was the one who took it.

Only he truly understood me.

Seeing me grinning foolishly at the photo, Chase placed his hand over mine.

"Babe, I knew you loved me the most. Look at you, smiling like that over a single picture."

I just raised an eyebrow and said nothing.

My family and Chase's were both well-known in the area. The reception was held at a private estate, with fifty tables set up.

But I never expected Chase to place Lexi at the head table, the most important one.

She walked in wearing that white dress, and guests who arrived late probably thought she was the bride.

Walking all over me seemed to make Lexi feel on top of the world.

I walked down the long, grassy aisle on my father's arm, wearing my snow-white Vera Wang gown, until I reached Chase's side.

Only then did it dawn on everyone that I was the actual bride.

"Chase, I'm giving you my daughter. I hope you will spend the rest of your life treating her well, and never making her angry, sad, or hurt. Can you do that?" my father asked, ready to place my hand in Chase's.

Chase looked at me with deep affection as he took my hand.

"I swear."

The ceremony moved on to the exchange of vows.

As planned, the groom was supposed to go first.

Chase pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from his suit pocket and cleared his throat.

My heart started pounding.

I knew what was written on that paper. Three months ago, while we were planning the wedding, Chase said he wasn't good at improvising and asked me to help him write something touching.

I spent an entire week on it, carefully choosing every single word, every single sentence.

Those vows held all of my hopes and dreams for our relationship.

Chase unfolded the paper and took a deep breath.

"Chloe..."

He said my name, and my eyes already started to well up.

"From the moment I met you, I knew my life had found a new meaning."

That was the opening line I wrote.

"You are the light in my darkness, the harbor in my storm..."

His voice was beautiful, and the guests smiled warmly.

But then, Chase's voice faltered.

He glanced over at Lexi, who was sitting at the head table, and a small smile touched his lips.

"But on this special day, there's someone else I have to thank, someone who is just as important to me."

What?

My smile froze on my face.

Chase turned to face Lexi.

"Lexi, you are an irreplaceable part of my life. From high school until now, you've been there for me through every fall and every triumph."

The guests began to murmur among themselves.

"You always show up when I need you the most, like..."