Chapter 3

Nora's POV

That afternoon, the wedding coordinator came to ask whether I wanted to reschedule the ceremony.

I glanced at the unopened wedding documents on the table.

"No. Cancel every booking."

The coordinator looked surprised but didn't ask any questions.

I'd just finished signing the cancellation agreement when several messages popped up in the company group chat.

Chloe had posted a photo.

She was sitting in Arthur's car, her wrist wrapped in a bandage, a smile on her face.

Her caption read:

"Who knew one little accident could make my boss drop something so important just to stay with me? Feeling incredibly lucky today."

In the picture, Arthur was sitting in the driver's seat, turned toward her as he listened.

I recognized that car.

In eight years, I'd never once sat in the passenger seat.

Arthur had always claimed he hated having someone talk beside him while driving because it distracted him.

I'd even started sitting in the back voluntarily.

Now I understood.

It wasn't that he disliked having someone beside him.

He simply didn't want that someone to be me.

I turned my phone facedown and went into the dressing room to change out of my wedding gown.

The woman staring back at me in the mirror had flawless makeup, but her eyes looked utterly exhausted.

For the first time, I didn't want to make excuses for Arthur anymore.

That evening, he finally sent me a message.

There was no explanation. No apology.

Just one sentence.

"I'm tied up tonight. Chloe doesn't have much of an appetite and wants some seafood soup. Bring her some when you get a chance."

I stared at the message for a long time.

In the end, I still packed a portion of seafood chowder and took it to the hospital.

Not because I'd changed my mind.

I simply wanted to return the last thing of his that I still had.

The private hospital room was lively.

Arthur's mother and younger sister were both there. Chloe was resting in bed, although her wrist was only mildly sprained. Even the doctor had said it was nothing serious.

Yet everyone was gathered around her.

Arthur was cutting up fruit for her.

"I heard the wedding game today was quite something," his mother said with a laugh. "I never expected Arthur to remember your features so clearly even with a blindfold on. You two really must have a special connection."

His sister joined in.

"He couldn't even remember what I looked like as a little girl, but somehow he knows every little detail about Chloe. Are you two keeping secrets from us?"

Chloe blushed and gently nudged Arthur's arm.

"Stop it. Nora will be upset if she hears you."

I stood outside the door, gripping the paper bag so tightly that it began to crumple.

Arthur didn't deny anything.

He simply smiled and handed her another piece of fruit.

For a moment, I almost felt as though I shouldn't go inside.

But Chloe had already spotted me.

"Nora? What are you doing here?"

Everyone turned toward the door.

I placed the food beside the bed.

Arthur glanced at it and casually pushed the bag aside.

"Chloe has already eaten quite a bit. You might as well take that home yourself."

Before I could respond, his mother took a gift box out of her handbag.

Inside was a delicate diamond bracelet.

"Chloe, you must have been frightened today. Consider this a little compensation."

I recognized the box.

It was supposed to be my wedding gift.

Chloe immediately tried to refuse.

"This isn't appropriate. Nora is the bride today."

Arthur looked up at me.

"It's just a gift. Surely you're not going to make a fuss over something so small?"

I said nothing.

His sister chimed in with a laugh.

"Besides, the wedding has been postponed. What's the difference who gets the gift first?"

I lowered my eyes to the ring I'd already taken off.

"She can have that too."

Arthur seemed pleased by my reaction.

"That's more like it. When we officially get married, I'll get you something even better."

I shook my head gently.

"No need."

The smile slowly disappeared from his face.

"Arthur, I'm not marrying you."