Chapter 4

Sophie's bubbly voice burst through the phone. "Alex, the cake's here. Can we cut it now?"

The call ended abruptly.

A message popped up on my phone. It was from my cousin.

She texted: [Hey, Em, did you get the wedding cake?

[Honestly, all these years, your parents have been so worried about you. They've been secretly asking me how you're doing.

[They know you're getting married today, so they asked me to give you this card. There's 300,000 dollars on it. They said they hope your life and career flourish, and that you'll never have to worry about money.

[Oh, and they said you've always loved cakes, so they had me find the best bakery in Northenvale and order an eight-tiered strawberry cake for you. They want you and Alex to have a sweet, happy life.]

Tears flooded down my face after holding them back for so long.

To my parents, I was still the little girl they always held close, the one who loved cakes.

I wiped my tears away.

I opened up the group chat, wanting a glimpse of the cake my parents had ordered for me.

But instead, I saw Sophie grinning as she scooped up a dollop of cream with her finger, playfully trying to smear it on Alex's face.

Alex turned his head away to dodge it.

Sophie suddenly stumbled.

The eight-tiered cake, with our wedding photo on top, toppled over with a loud crash.

My photo hit the floor, and the cream quickly spread over it, covering my face until it was completely gone.

The warmth that had just started to bloom in my heart was ruthlessly trampled on, snuffed out in an instant.

My cake and my photo never really mattered to anyone, never got the care I deserved, just like me.

I felt the warmth drain from my body, leaving me cold inside.

I pulled up the ticket booking page.

The next train was at 12:28 AM.

If I left the hotel now, I'd make it right on time.

I threw the wedding dress I'd painstakingly tracked down and tweaked all over the city straight into the trash.

I dragged my suitcase out the door.

Before leaving, I left some h cash on the coffee table.

It was a tip for the staff who'd have to clean up the room.

Alex called again, but I hung up.

He called again.

This time, I sent his number straight to my blocked list.

He sent a voice message on WhatsApp.

I was about to block him, but I accidentally hit play instead.

Alex's voice sounded excited, even though it was a bit rough. [Emily, are you still mad at me?

[Alright, quit sulking and come over already.

[We got a little too crazy during the cake-cutting, so the main hall is trashed. I booked a smaller room right next door. When you take a cab, don't come to the wrong spot.]

The main hall was 10,000 square feet. I'd reserved it with the hotel a whole year ahead.

The side hall was barely 600 square feet, and the stage was so too small for even three people to be on it at once.

I'd been with Alex for eight years, and this was what I got for a wedding in the end.

I raised my hand to hail a taxi.

I sent him a voice message: "Alex, don't call me again. Your wedding's over, and so is everything between us. We're done."

With that, I blocked him for good.

As I sat in the taxi, I watched the city slip away behind me.

I grabbed a wet wipe from my bag and dabbed away the last traces of tears at the corners of my eyes.

I told myself this was no big deal.

Sometimes in life, taking a step back was actually the bravest move forward.