Chapter 2
Harry turned around and handed the bouquet, which I'd been dreaming of my whole life, to Dorothy, who was following behind him with a flirtatious look.
"Here, take it," Harry said.
Dorothy was stunned, taking the flowers with both hands. Her cheeks turned pink as she gave me a shy glance and then gazed at Harry with adoring eyes.
Her voice was coy and sugary. "Thank you, Mr. Green."
Harry didn't even look at her. He turned back to me and gently ruffled my hair.
His voice was tender, but every word felt like a dull knife, cutting into my heart again and again.
He said, "Don't be silly. It's just a bouquet. We're not in a hurry. We'll do it next time."
It was always "next time."
My ears buzzed, shutting out the world. All that remained were those two words, echoing relentlessly, crushing my already broken heart again and again.
For nine years, he kept telling me, "Next time."
He said that next time, he'd go home with me to meet my folks.
He said that next time, he'd spend my birthday with me.
He said that next time, he'd finally take me to the beach we'd been talking about for years.
He also said that next time, we'd get married.
It was always "next time."
Every promise just sank without a trace, never to be heard from again.
Josie's expression turned stormy. She stormed over, seized my hand, and shook with rage.
Her voice was low, but every word hit like a hammer. "Melody, wake up. He never wanted to marry you. I tossed that bouquet to you on purpose.
"It was your last shot, and his, too. If he doesn't want it, he's not worthy."
I placed my hand over Josie's and slowly shook my head. "The wedding isn't over yet."
My voice was soft as a feather drifting down, but there was a coldness in it that settled deep inside me.
I lifted my gaze and looked over at Harry, who wasn't far away.
He was already back with his friends, laughing, joking, and raising his glass like nothing had happened.
To him, that whole scene just now was nothing but a tiny hiccup, not even worth a second thought.
Dorothy was right by his side, holding tight to the bouquet that should've been mine.
She was standing way too close, almost like they were a couple, sneaking glances up at him with her eyes shining with love and pride, not bothering to hide it.
She wasn't even a bridesmaid.
It was just that the groom needed someone to fill a spot next to the best man, and Harry casually suggested Dorothy. So, she ended up right by his side.
Harry took Dorothy to every event, introduced her to all his friends, and even brought her to my best friend's wedding.
But he never let me meet his most important business partners, never made our relationship official in front of everyone, and never gave me a rightful place by his side.
His friends always made excuses for him. "Harry's so focused on his career. Once he's more settled, he'll give you the grand wedding you deserve."
I kept believing that for nine years.
Today, I finally saw the truth.
It was never about him being all about his work.
It was just that he didn't want to marry me.
It wasn't that he didn't have time.
He just never wanted to make time for me.
He knew how to be romantic.
He just never bothered to be romantic with me.
While everyone was raising their glasses, Josie came over with the groom, pulled me into a tight hug, and hissed in my ear, "I did some digging on Dorothy. She's been plotting against you for a long time.
"She's always cozying up to Harry, acting all flirty, and making you look bad in front of everyone. Harry's not clueless. He's just acting like he doesn't see it.
"Melody, don't fool yourself anymore. If you keep waiting, you'll waste your whole life on him."
I patted her back, my voice so steady that it barely sounded like me. "This is your wedding. Just enjoy it. Don't let my drama ruin your big day."
I didn't want to be the reason anyone's mood got ruined on the most important day of Josie's life.
And I didn't want the last shred of dignity I had to shatter into nothing.
After the party ended and the night got darker, the city's neon lights flashed outside, making the chill in my heart feel even worse.
Harry walked over, casually took my bag, and went to wrap his arm around my shoulders.
I subtly sidestepped him, quietly avoiding his touch.
"You've been drinking. I'll call a ride," I said.
He didn't notice my distance, just nodded, unfazed. "Alright."
As the car slipped into the stream of traffic, the city lights danced across the window, their shifting glow playing over my face, concealing the emptiness in my eyes.
"Don't let what happened today get to you," Harry said suddenly, eyes never leaving his phone as his fingers flew over the screen. His tone was so offhand, like it was nothing at all.
He continued, "Dorothy's just fresh out of college. It's not easy for her in this city. Giving her the bouquet was just to let her catch a bit of wedding luck and make her happy for a moment.
"When it's our turn, I'll make sure our wedding is way more spectacular than Josie's. However many bouquets you want, I'll get them all for you."
I stared at his blurred reflection in the car window, and a boundless ache spread through my heart.
He'd always been this way.
He'd use the gentlest tone to make the emptiest promises, as if it was just expected that I'd forgive him, be understanding, and keep waiting without a single complaint.