Chapter 2

1.

"Avery?" Silas's voice sounded shocked over the phone. "Are you still at City Hall?"

"Look at me, I'm such a mess. I got caught up in a crucial meeting and totally lost track of time. I'm not going to make it before they close."

"Just go home, okay? We'll go tomorrow. It's just one more day."

Before I could even utter a word, he hung up, acting like the busiest man on earth.

Silas's assistant stood beside me, looking anxious. "Is Mr. Sterling coming? The office closes in ten minutes…"

I looked at the crowd of reporters camped outside the doors and could only manage a bitter smile.

Thirty minutes ago, Silas had been here with me. We had filled out the forms and even took the official photo for the license.

Just as we were about to sign the final papers, his phone rang. He didn't explain a thing; he just turned and walked away.

"Avery, just wait for me," he had said, leaving without a second thought.

I had begged him to stay, pointing out we were only one signature away from being husband and wife.

He had just looked at me with pure annoyance. "Can't you be more sensible for once? We can get married any day."

"Even if you're desperate to become a Sterling, it doesn't have to be this exact minute, does it?"

Then he was gone, leaving me standing alone in the middle of the government building.

I let out a soft, hollow laugh. My heart had been broken so many times it finally felt numb.

Over the years, how many times had I heard those same words?

"Avery, the director added a scene, I can't make it to your parents' dinner. Just make an excuse for me."

"Avery, go to the hospital by yourself. I'm tied up with the studio…"

"Can't you think about my career for once? I don't control these things!"

When disappointment becomes a habit, you stop expecting anything else.

I knew he was busy. Every single time he stood me up on an important day, I forgave him. I even felt bad for how much he had to travel.

Before today, I had pleaded with him to clear his schedule. I told him how much this meant to me.

Silas had just smirked, bopping my nose playfully. "What are you worried about? Nothing is more important than marrying you."

I didn't think that on our actual wedding day, he would still choose something else over me.

I put my phone down and spoke quietly to the assistant. "Don't bother waiting. He isn't coming."

As I walked out of City Hall, the reporters Silas had invited himself swarmed me, their cameras flashing like lightning.

"Miss Brooks, as the woman who spent eight years in the shadows, how does it feel to finally be Mrs. Sterling?"

A young girl, likely one of his die-hard fans, cried out with tears in her eyes. "Silas loves you so much! He gave up his career at his peak just for you. You better treat him right!"

I stared at them blankly, a bitter ache rising in my throat.

One reporter noticed something was off. "Wait, it's your wedding day. Why isn't Silas Sterling here with you?"

Suddenly, every lens was focused on my face, waiting for an answer.

The assistant looked embarrassed and stepped in with a practiced lie. "Sorry everyone, Mr. Sterling had an emergency meeting. Stepping away from the industry is complicated. Please, give them some space…"

I smiled, though no one saw me digging my nails into my palms.

The sharp pain gave me a tiny spark of courage.

I took a deep breath and bowed slightly to the crowd. "I'm sorry you all came out for nothing. Silas Sterling and I are not getting married."

"And if I can give you any advice: never love a man who makes you wait at the altar."