999 Steps Away From the Altar

Synopsis

I was hopeless with directions. After five years in Harbor City, I still couldn't tell north from south. Alex Carter always set my navigation in advance. He said he'd guide me for the rest of my life. On our wedding day, the wedding car reached Crestmont Road when he suddenly claimed the bouquet had been left in the trunk. I had barely stepped out when the door clicked locked. I saw the driver glance at Alex in the rearview mirror, as if he'd received his orders long ago. The next second, the convoy disappeared into the fog. Alex sent me a voice message. "Walk 999 steps ahead, and you'll reach a fork. Emily said you couldn't even find the chapel without me. I don't believe her. Olivia, don't make me lose." Emily Jones was his ex-girlfriend. I walked in high heels until one ankle rubbed raw and started bleeding. Once I'd taken two thousand steps and realized I was completely lost, I called Alex. But Emily answered. "She can't even tell north from south, and you still made her walk alone. Now she'll be wandering around the mountain for three hours. What if she misses the wedding?" Alex's voice was casual. "Start the reception without her. Take pictures and toast the guests for her. She'll find her way here eventually." A photo popped up in the wedding group chat. Emily stood beside Alex, holding the bouquet he'd lied about leaving in the trunk. I realized those 999 steps had been laid out for her. I took off my heels and threw them into the ravine. I thought, 'I would take a different road.'