Chapter 3

03.

I went to the clinic.

I needed to see my old friend about a new custom prosthetic.

While I was waiting, the TV in the lobby blared with a breaking news report.

"The star fighter and the beautiful CEO! The wedding of the century is underway!"

I tried to act like I didn't care, but my heart still skipped a beat.

I looked up. The screen showed the moment the couple exchanged gifts.

The officiant held out a pair of watches. Lydia carefully slid one onto Caleb Greene's wrist.

It fit him perfectly.

I recognized it instantly. It was the same watch she had sent to me yesterday.

Lydia smiled at the cameras, her voice dripping with honey as she explained the design.

"I designed this specifically for my husband. It's called The Sovereign."

"He bleeds in the ring while I manage the front office. We are each other's sovereigns!"

"This is our gym's philosophy for the upcoming season. Win or lose, we are kings!"

The crowd erupted in applause. The camera zoomed in on their interlocking hands.

Seeing that watch fit him so perfectly made my blood run cold.

Some things were never meant for me.

My friend came out with some components, but he froze when he saw the TV.

He rushed to turn it off, looking at me with pity. I acted like it didn't bother me.

"I'll take these parts. Price isn't an issue, as long as they work."

I paid the deposit and walked out. Before I reached my car, my phone buzzed.

It was a text from Caleb.

He wanted to make sure I knew he had replaced me as the leading man.

He sent a barrage of photos and videos from the reception.

The wedding I had dreamed of for seven years was handed to him on a silver platter.

And he was using it to spit in my face.

I couldn't help but watch one video.

During the vows, they both teared up. To the world, they looked like soulmates.

It made sense. Caleb wasn't like me.

He wasn't just the prodigy Lydia scouted; he was whole. He had two arms.

To her, he was the partner she actually deserved.

I didn't want to see any more. I blocked his number.

A second later, Lydia called me, sounding furious.

"Heath, what is wrong with you?"

"I almost became a national laughingstock today! Caleb stepped in to save the day, and you're giving him a hard time?"

I realized Caleb must have gone running to her, crying about how I was "mean" to him.

I felt exhausted. I kept my voice flat.

"I'm not giving him a hard time. Honestly, I think you two make a great couple."

Lydia assumed I was just being petty. She went back into her queen-bee mode.

"Stop being dramatic. I told Caleb to reach out to you."

"There's a meeting with the investors in an hour. You need to be there."

"People were asking why the 'groom' was missing at the ceremony. You need to go and explain yourself."

I didn't even hesitate. "No."

"Your gym's business has nothing to do with me."

Lydia exploded. "Heath Miller, what now?"

"This wedding was a marketing campaign for our international expansion! You're still my legal husband!"

"You skipped the ceremony over a stupid watch. Fine. But you are not skipping this meeting!"

I finally saw it clearly.

The wedding wasn't about love. It was a show.

Even the watch she "designed for me" was scaled for Caleb's wrist just so it would look good for the global livestream.

My heart felt like a shriveled leaf.

She didn't care about my feelings. She just wanted a prop to stand next to her.

I heard Caleb's voice in the background, telling her it was time to toast the guests.

I gripped my steering wheel with my one good hand, my jaw tight.

"Lydia, I don't love you anymore."

"Sign the papers. Don't make Caleb stay your side piece for too long."