Chapter 4

"I'll go with you. Soak up some wedding joy."

Ethan froze, his expression somewhat unnatural.

I lowered my eyes, adjusting his tie. "Not convenient? Or do you not want people to know you have a girlfriend?"

Ethan sighed, probably thinking I was being unreasonable again.

"I might not have time to keep you company. You don't know any of those people. I'm afraid you'll be uncomfortable."

"It's fine. Do your thing, don't worry about me."

We didn't speak the whole way.

Ethan drove, lips pressed tight, fingers constantly tapping the steering wheel.

This was his tell when he was irritated.

The groom's house wasn't far. I waited in the car.

Close to the bride pickup time, a group of people came out from the stairwell.

Ethan walked at the back, typing on his phone.

He handed me a warm breakfast.

"It'll take some time at the bride's house. You can take a nap in the car."

I acknowledged and said nothing more.

The bride's house was on the tenth floor.

I didn't take the elevator, slowly climbing the stairs.

The main door was wide open, decorated with festive red double happiness characters.

You could hear the commotion inside even from the hallway.

"Today's three pairs of groomsmen and bridesmaids are all couples. The final game is a passionate three-minute kiss, or you're not taking the bride!"

I could faintly hear Ethan's voice. "Tara and I aren't what you think. Can I drink instead? You decide how many glasses."

The jeering continued nonstop.

"What do you mean 'what we think'? Is Mr. Miller shy?"

"Last time I went to your office, I personally saw her coming out of your lounge wearing your shirt."

"What's embarrassing about kissing your own girlfriend? Hurry up, don't delay the auspicious time!"

Standing in the corner.

Watching the person I'd been with for seven years being pushed together to kiss someone else.

Every long-distance meeting was especially precious.

We just wanted to be together, even doing nothing felt happy.

Only now did I realize belatedly that distance doesn't just divide feelings and hearts.

It divides lives too.

Without me noticing, I'd already been excluded.

When Ethan got in the car, there was still a smudge of lipstick at the corner of his mouth.

I pretended not to see it.

After arriving at the hotel, he arranged a seat for me then hurried away.

I'd also fantasized about wedding scenes.

It seemed we were just one step away from school uniforms to wedding dresses.

Many people asked me, when will you and Ethan end the long-distance? You've been together seven years, time to get married, right?

I always instinctively made excuses for Ethan.

No rush, too busy, waiting until things are more stable.

Pulled from my thoughts, on stage it had already reached the bouquet toss.

The blue bouquet had several white ribbons hanging from the bottom.

When Ethan caught it, even he looked surprised for a moment.

Everyone shouted for him to propose to Tara.

Ethan instinctively looked at me, unconsciously taking a step forward.

Tara tugged his sleeve, her face full of pleading.

Just a few seconds.

Ethan turned and gave the bouquet to Tara.

The moment he turned his back, I got up and left the hotel.

I had to admit, people do change.

We're all rushing along our paths. Spending a lifetime together is luck; drifting apart is the norm.

Distraction and detachment in a relationship don't deserve forgiveness.

Not even for a second.