Chapter 3

3

My dad hurried out of the kitchen, looking startled. "What was that? Was that a firecracker outside? That was loud."

My mom came out of the bathroom, her sleeves wet from testing the shower water.

She looked at me nervously. "Haley, honey, what happened with Zane?"

I turned away, wiping my tears. "Nothing, Mom. It's fine."

My dad came over and gently stroked my hair. "Don't cry, sweetheart. Dad's here. I'll call him and smooth things over, okay?"

"Dad, don't. Please."

My mom tried to soothe me. "Let your father talk to him. We just want you two to be happy. That's all we care about."

My dad went out to the balcony to make the call, trying to give me space.

But he came back in a few minutes later, looking confused. Zane had declined the call.

Then, he was blocked entirely.

My dad immediately started putting on his coat. "I'm going to go find him in person."

My mom whispered to him, "If Haley did something wrong, just apologize for her. She loves him so much. We can swallow our pride for our daughter's sake."

My dad nodded. "I know. I'll handle it. She's our only girl; I'd do anything for her."

I broke down completely at those words.

I don't know what my dad said to him that day. But shortly after, Zane proposed.

At the wedding, the MC was trying to hyping up the crowd.

He asked Zane, "Who's going to handle the finances in this marriage?"

"My wife," Zane said smoothly.

The MC asked, "Who's doing the chores?"

"Me," Zane replied.

Then came the classic joke question: "If your best bro and your wife both fell into the ocean, who would you save first?"

We had rehearsed this. It was supposed to be a lighthearted moment.

Zane was supposed to say, "My wife, obviously!" and his groomsmen would tease him while the guests laughed.

It was just a bit of fun to keep the energy up.

But Zane hesitated. He went silent for a long time.

He seemed to be thinking about a specific person.

The MC prompted him again, "Groom? We're waiting for an answer!"

Zane held the microphone, but his lips stayed shut.

Suddenly, one of the groomsmen rushed onto the stage and shoved a phone into Zane's hand. "Zane, it's bad! Vivian is having another episode!"

I was standing there in my white lace gown, still holding Zane's arm.

I saw the screen clearly. Vivian had sent a photo.

Her left wrist had a deep, jagged gash. The skin was parted, and blood was everywhere.

Zane didn't hesitate for a single second. He wrenched his arm away from me and sprinted out of the ballroom.

I was thrown off balance. The massive train of my dress and my high heels made it impossible to stay upright.

I collapsed onto the floor in a heap of white silk.

The room erupted into whispers and gasps.

My best friend, Fiona, who was my maid of honor, grabbed my hand. "Haley, stay here. I'm going to go drag him back!"

I held her back. "Don't bother."

Was I shocked? Not really.

I had been with Zane for five years. In those five years, the number of times he'd ditched me for Vivian was countless.

The MC's question was redundant anyway.

They didn't need to fall into the ocean. In any situation, his first choice was always Vivian.

Even at our own wedding.