Chapter 3

On the day of the wedding, Ryan didn't show up until twenty minutes before the ceremony.

And when he arrived, Chloe was right behind him.

My maid of honor, Mia, stood beside me, trembling with rage.

"Evelyn, has he lost his mind? He brought that woman to your wedding?"

I said nothing.

His pack of friends immediately swarmed him—hugs, backslaps, catcalls.

"Ryan, word is you went all night… Think you've got any energy left for Evelyn tonight?"

The knowing looks and suggestive tones of men speaking in code sent a flush across Chloe's face, and she ducked behind Ryan.

Ryan laughed right away.

"All right, that's enough."

The group erupted again, loud enough to shake the rafters.

Ryan and Chloe exchanged a smile, and only then did his gaze drift past the crowd to find me.

He paused, just slightly.

"Evelyn, you look beautiful today."

He walked toward me and reached up to brush a stray hair from my temple.

I stepped back half a pace. His hand hung in the air for a moment, then dropped naturally to his side, as though nothing had happened.

"Ignore them—nothing happened last night." He lowered his voice. "Chloe had a stomach thing this morning, it took a while to sort out. That's why I'm late."

I didn't respond.

Chloe followed him over.

Only then did I see that she'd done herself up with meticulous makeup and a tailored white dress—she looked more like the bride than I did. She came toward me smiling, looping her arm through Ryan's, her tone so familiar she might as well have been the star of the show.

"Congratulations, you two! I came specially to witness your happy moment."

When I said nothing, Ryan stepped in to explain. "Chloe insisted on coming to see the venue this morning. Don't worry—the three days are done. From now on, we'll keep our distance."

Keep our distance.

He actually had the nerve to use those words.

That was when Chloe turned her attention to my wedding dress.

"That gown really suits you. Very… simple." She paused, as if the thought had only just occurred to her. "Although… I remember Ryan used to say that if he ever got married, he'd give his bride the most extravagant wedding the whole city had ever seen."

She looked at Ryan with a smile.

"I guess people really do change."

The air around us went quiet.

Ryan cleared his throat awkwardly.

"That was just talk. We were young."

I didn't call him out.

This entire wedding had been arranged by Ryan's family.

They said the budget was tight. They said there was no need for extravagance. They said if I really loved Ryan, I shouldn't care about appearances.

But I knew money wasn't the problem.

They just didn't want to spend it on me.

Before the ceremony, a slideshow began playing on the big screen—photos of Ryan and me.

From college to now, eight years laid out like a long-overdue reckoning.

Chloe watched the screen for a while, then her eyes reddened right on schedule, her voice trembling with practiced precision.

"Ryan, I'm so envious of Evelyn."

She wasn't looking at him. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but pitched just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

"The doctors say I have lupus. I might not have much time left. The biggest regret of my life is that I never got to wear a wedding dress. Never got to marry the man I loved most."

Ryan whipped around to look at her, his eyes overflowing with heartache.

"Chloe…"

She shook her head.

"I'm fine. Today belongs to you and Evelyn. I shouldn't have said anything."

Ryan was silent for a few seconds. Then he turned to me abruptly.

"Evelyn."

He gripped my hand, his voice edging toward a plea.

"Chloe might never get the chance to be married. Why don't we… let her take your place for the ceremony today?"

Mia couldn't hold back any longer. She shot to her feet.

"Ryan, are you out of your mind? This is your wedding to Evelyn! You can't just hand it to someone else! Are you marrying Chloe or are you marrying Evelyn?"

Ryan frowned.

"It's just the ceremony. Legally, the woman I'm marrying is still Evelyn." He looked at me with the certainty of a man who'd never been told no. "Evelyn, Chloe is seriously ill. I just want to help her fulfill a wish."

I held his gaze, and in that moment I wanted so badly to ask him—

What about my wish?

I wanted to marry a man who respected me. A man who loved me. Had he fulfilled that wish?

Ryan grew more and more uneasy under my stare.

Then Chloe spoke up.

"Forget it, Ryan." She hung her head, showing only the tear-streaked curve of her profile. "Don't make Evelyn upset because of me."

"After all… I'm dying anyway…"

Ryan caved instantly.

He squeezed my hand, practically swearing an oath. "She'll just walk through the motions, but I promise—tonight, on our wedding night, it'll be you. Evelyn, you made it through these three days. What's one more hour?"

Ryan's voice was coaxing, but in those eyes I saw no remorse, no unease—only certainty. He was certain I'd say yes, just as I had every single time over the past eight years.

The guests were already murmuring among themselves, watching me with a mix of pity and amusement.

I looked down and smoothed my skirt.

Then I smiled.

"Fine."

Ryan exhaled with relief, and something that might have been genuine guilt flickered in his eyes. "Good girl. Thank you. You're the best wife I could ask for."

"Go wait in the room for me. I'll come find you as soon as the ceremony's over."

He leaned in to embrace me. I kept my smile and pushed him away.

"Don't mention it."

Because from this moment on, this wedding had nothing to do with me.

If he wanted so badly to complete the ceremony with Chloe, then I'd give them the whole stage.

I turned and walked into the bridal suite, the train of my gown trailing behind me, and shut the door.

I picked up my phone and sent one message:

"You can come now."