Chapter 2

2.

The guests below the stage were whispering and shaking their heads.

After the fifth failed engagement, people had stopped wanting to come to these events.

I had practically begged everyone to show up this time, convinced that the 100th attempt would be the charm. I wanted them to witness our happiness.

Instead, I had just served them another round of my own humiliation.

My family had already walked out the moment Sebastian said no, unable to bear the shame anymore.

Sebastian's parents never liked me to begin with. They looked satisfied with the outcome and followed their son out shortly after.

The only people left were my friends, who were looking at me with nothing but pity.

My phone buzzed. I opened it to see Josie Miller's latest post on social media.

"With you by my side, I am never truly alone."

The photo showed her leaning into Sebastian's chest. You could see half of his face in the corner of the frame.

Sebastian's eyes were filled with a gentleness I hadn't seen in years. He looked like a completely different person compared to the man who had just screamed at me.

Looking at that photo, something inside my heart finally collapsed.

I realized then that seven years of chasing him was more than enough. It was time to end this.

I had always been uncomfortable with Josie's role in his life.

When we first started dating, I asked him directly. I told him if he loved Josie, he should just say it, and I would walk away.

Sebastian always called me petty. He accused me of tarnishing their pure, innocent friendship.

"Why is your mind so dirty? There's nothing between Josie and me," he would say.

"She has a medical condition. I promised I'd be there for her until she finds a husband. How can I just abandon her?"

"Stop being so small-minded. You're acting like a jealous hag."

I had heard those excuses over a hundred times.

Countless dates were ruined because Josie called, claiming she was having an attack and needed him.

Did she have no other friends? No family? Was Sebastian some kind of magical human Xanax?

It was obvious she was just using her fake illness to steal him away from me.

The pathetic part was that Sebastian never saw anything wrong with it. He chose her over me every single time.

Even today, at our 100th engagement, he didn't hesitate to leave.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and forced myself to see my friends out. Then, I returned to our empty, silent house.

I sat in the living room and opened every bottle of champagne I had bought to celebrate. I drank them one by one.

Looking at the empty bottles scattered across the table, I took a photo and posted it.

"I guess I was always alone from the very start..."

My friends immediately started commenting, knowing exactly what had happened.

"Nora, we're here for you. You deserve better."

"There's a whole forest of men out there, babe. Don't waste another second."

A notification popped up. It was a message from Sebastian.

"Why are you being so dramatic on social media? I told you Josie was sick. Can't you be a little more understanding?"

I stared at his cold words and laughed at myself. I opened another bottle and took a long swig.

The alcohol burned my throat and stomach, making my eyes water again.

When Josie needed him, he would move mountains to get to her, no matter where he was.

When it came to me, all I got was criticism and blame.

Seven years. It took me seven years to realize I didn't even have a place in his heart.

That night, for the first time, I didn't sit on the couch waiting for him to come home.

Usually, I'd leave the porch light on and wait up so he wouldn't come home to a dark house. I'd wait until dawn sometimes, which had given me chronic migraines over the years.

But tonight, thanks to the booze, I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

I woke up early the next morning. Predictably, Sebastian hadn't returned.

I didn't call him to demand an explanation like I usually did. I just made myself breakfast, ate quickly, and got ready for work.

Just as I was about to head out the door, Sebastian walked in.

He looked at the empty dining table with a confused frown.

"Where's my breakfast?"

Sebastian had a sensitive stomach. No matter how late he stayed out, I always had a hot meal waiting for him so he wouldn't get sick.

I didn't stop putting on my heels. "I already ate. Order something on DoorDash," I said casually.

Maybe he realized I was actually angry this time, because he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around my waist. His voice was much softer than yesterday.

"Nora, I know I messed up the engagement again. But Josie really has nobody else. I couldn't leave her like that."

"You wouldn't want me to marry you while I was worried sick about her, right? That wouldn't be a good start."

"Once she finds a guy to take care of her, I won't have to worry anymore. Then I can marry you and give you my full attention. Isn't that better?"

"There's really nothing going on between us. Stop throwing a tantrum, okay?"

In the past, this kind of half-assed explanation would have been enough for me to forgive him.

But now, I just felt annoyed.

I was sick of the script. I pulled his hands off me and walked out the door.

"Whatever. I'm going to be late for work. See you later."