Chapter 2

2

The next morning, I woke up to a dozen missed calls from Selene.

I called her back. Her voice immediately exploded through the receiver. "Elias, what the hell is wrong with you? Can't you pick a better time to throw a tantrum? Do you realize today is the wedding?"

"You think you can threaten me like this? It won't work. Get your ass to the venue right now. We'll settle the score after the ceremony."

I felt like laughing.

What exactly was I to Selene?

Was I just a tool she could summon and discard whenever she pleased?

I sighed and spoke calmly. "Selene, I meant what I said yesterday. I want a divorce. I'm not joking, and I'm not threatening you. I don't care if your stock goes up or down."

Selene lost it. "You think this is funny? Casper apologized to you yesterday! What more do you want?"

"You're coming to this wedding whether you like it or not!"

"Either you get here yourself, or I'll have people bring you here."

She hung up before I could say another word.

I had already decided to leave, but hearing her words still made my chest ache.

I remembered how she used to hold my hand and smile. "I, Selene Thorne, will treat Elias Vance well for the rest of my life."

"So, Elias, you can never leave me."

I had told her, "Of course. As long as you need me, I'll be here."

I didn't cry when I saw the photos of her kissing Casper. I didn't cry when she called me boring and old. But these sweet, dead memories made the tears fall.

I changed my clothes and decided to head to the wedding. I needed to put a definitive end to this relationship.

But fate wasn't on my side. The moment I stepped out of the hotel, it started pouring rain.

The ride-share app showed a thirty-minute wait.

I started running toward the venue in the rain. I was soaked to the bone. By the time I reached the hall, the ceremony had already begun.

I stood in a corner, looking like a drowned rat. I watched as Selene was escorted to Casper's side.

Both of them were radiant, their faces lit up with matching smiles.

They recited their vows and exchanged rings. Finally, the officiant spoke the closing words. "The groom may now kiss the bride."

They smiled at each other and kissed passionately in front of everyone.

As the ceremony ended, the reporters in the crowd started whispering.

"Wait, that's not right. I saw photos of Elias Vance a few years ago. This guy looks nothing like him."

"And isn't Elias in his thirties? This guy looks like he's barely out of college."

Microphones and long lenses were suddenly shoved toward Selene and Casper.

"Ms. Thorne, did the groom change at the last minute?"

"Where is Elias Vance?"

Back when we first started dating, Selene never hid me. She took me to every event and told everyone I was the reason for her success.

The press used to write story after story about our beautiful romance.

Now, Selene leaned into the microphone and spoke softly. "Elias Vance got cold feet and ran away. I had no choice but to find a replacement."

The crowd erupted in judgmental hisses.

"That Elias guy is so ungrateful. Selene was so good to him, and he just ditches her?"

"Karma will catch up to him, for sure."

The cold air from the AC hit my wet skin, and I couldn't help but sneeze.

A reporter standing near me turned around and gasped. "Elias Vance is right here!"

In an instant, I was surrounded. The questions for Selene became much more pointed.

"Ms. Thorne, you said Mr. Vance fled. Why is he standing right here?"

"Who is the man on stage with you?"

"If Mr. Vance is here but isn't the one marrying you, does that mean your relationship is over?"

"Ms. Thorne, why did you lie?"

"Was that kiss on stage with your new lover?"

The questions bombarded her like rapid fire. Her face turned pale with fury.

But she regained her composure quickly. "Elias and I had a fight this morning. I admit, replacing him was an impulsive move born out of anger."

"But since he's here now, he is obviously still my groom."

Selene smiled at the reporters and walked over to grab my arm tightly.

"Elias, go change your clothes. I'll be waiting for you."

I looked at her smiling face and felt nothing but coldness. When did she become such a talented actress? At that moment, I realized the sweet girl I knew was gone. She was just a wolf in a designer dress.

I was dragged away to a dressing room. While the stylist worked, the door burst open. Selene and Casper walked in.

I saw their intertwined hands in the mirror and felt like laughing.

Without the media around, she didn't even bother to pretend.

Selene looked at me coldly. "I guess you almost look like a human being when you're cleaned up."

"Behave yourself during the reception. If you screw this up, I'll make you regret it."

Casper immediately tried to play the peacemaker.

"Selene, don't be angry. I'm sure Elias knows how important this is."

He turned to me with a mock-sympathetic look. "Elias, what happened earlier was just a necessity. Please don't blame Selene. This wedding is vital for the company. Please don't ruin it just because of me."

Selene softened instantly. "Casper, stop taking the blame. This is all Elias's fault."

Then she glared at me again. "Apologize to Casper right now! He's the one suffering because of your mistakes!"

I looked at her, still clutching Casper's hand, and felt a chill settle in my bones.

I had been wrong from the start. I was wrong for staying, and I was wrong for holding onto a shred of hope. That hope was officially dead.

I let out a cold laugh. "Selene, what exactly did I do wrong? Was my mistake showing up and interrupting your wedding with your little boyfriend? You were so desperate to go public with him, weren't you?"

My words hit a nerve.

"Elias Vance, you're the one throwing a fit! You didn't take this wedding seriously! If you don't show up, of course I'm going to replace you! Why can't you be more like Casper? He knows how to act!"

"If you were even one percent as sensible as Casper, none of this would have happened!"

She grabbed Casper's hand and slammed the door as she left.

After I was ready, I was led onto the stage.

The officiant acted as if nothing had happened and started the script again.

Selene arrived a few minutes later, led by Casper. He placed her hand in mine.

It was the most absurd thing I had ever experienced. My wife's boyfriend was handing her over to me. The room went silent as everyone watched this bizarre display.

The officiant tried to smooth things over and began the vows.

"Selene Thorne, do you take Elias Vance to be your husband, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

Selene looked at me with a flash of pure hatred. Then she looked past me toward Casper and said, "I do."

The officiant turned to me. "Elias Vance, do you take Selene Thorne to be your wife, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

I stared at Selene for a long moment. Then, I took the microphone.

"I do not."