Chapter 4
Andrew looked really worn out, exhaustion written all over his face. But when he saw me with the bridal veil on, he seemed to relax a bit.
He walked over. "Olivia, stop making a scene, okay? I've been exhausted lately, and when you said you wanted to break up, I just lost it. I'm apologizing here. Can you just forgive me?
"Look, I know you misunderstood. So, Emelia came with me today to clear things up. She said that if you're not okay with it, we'll drop the whole IVF thing."
As soon as Emelia saw me, she dropped to her knees, sobbing her heart out. "I know this is all my fault. I won't go through with the IVF anymore. Just forgive us, and I swear I'll stay out of your lives for good.
"But you can't just threaten Andrew by saying you won't marry him. See, you literally went for a bridal makeup trial today. That means you still care about the wedding. If you keep this up, Andrew's going to think you mean it."
Andrew quickly helped Emelia up. His expression soured for a moment, but then he looked a bit relieved.
He said, sounding all generous, "Olivia, I'm not going to hold this whole wedding drama against you, because I love you. But love has its limits. Don't go pulling this kind of drama again, alright?
"Just chill at home and get some rest these next few days. On Friday, I'll come pick you and your parents up, and we'll head back to Annter and hold the wedding—"
"Hey, Olivia. Word is you're marrying James. Make sure I get an invite to your wedding, alright?" Andrew didn't even get to finish before a neighbor came to tease me.
I smiled and replied, "Of course, Sarah. I won't forget you."
Andrew was floored, staring at me in disbelief. "Who is James? Olivia. Who exactly are you marrying?"
"Who the hell is that guy?" Andrew demanded, his voice getting louder as he stepped closer to me.
"Sir, please keep your distance from my fiancée," a calm voice suddenly called out from behind me.
James, who was supposed to come to my place tomorrow, had suddenly appeared behind me.
After all these years, I couldn't believe how much he'd changed. The goofy, childish boy who used to follow me around, always bickering with me, had turned into this tall, handsome man.
He had a faint smile on his lips, half-smirking as he spoke to Andrew, his eyes full of warning.
Andrew was practically shouting, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I'm Olivia's boyfriend."
"Ex-boyfriend," James corrected patiently. Then he took my hand with a firm grip. "Since you two are already broken up, please show some respect.
"In a few days, Olivia and I are getting married. I hope you and this lady will join us for a toast at our wedding," James added, his eyes flicking over to Emelia.
Andrew was completely stunned, like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
He looked at me, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Olivia, where did you even find this guy? Is he some actor you hired? I already said I was sorry. What else do you want from me? Can you just stop this already?
"Wait, you dressed up like this today, not for our wedding, but for him?"
I looked at Andrew, expressionless, and spoke coldly, "I told you before. We're done. The moment you stopped respecting my feelings, there was no future for us.
"You want to have a child with Emelia. I can't give you my blessing, so I'm setting you free. Andrew, I want to get married, but it doesn't have to be you. Don't think you're that important."
Andrew still wouldn't accept what I said, convinced I was just being dramatic.
He lunged forward, completely ignoring everything else.
His eyes were rimmed with red as he grabbed my hand, refusing to let go, demanding answers, "You're just upset with me, right? Olivia, there's no way you'd actually leave me for someone else. Impossible. Absolutely impossible."
I met his gaze with indifference. "Why not? What makes you think it's impossible?"
"You've been pushing for marriage for years, and now that I finally agreed. And you're willing to compromise on everything else, so why can't you accept the IVF?
"You're just throwing a fit, trying to scare me, aren't you?" Andrew pleaded, his eyes red and desperate.
A cold, bitter laugh escaped me.
So, he really did know all along.
Because I loved him, I went along with every decision he made.
When he said he couldn't marry me because his career was just starting, I waited for him to get on his feet.
When he said he didn't have enough money, no car, no house, couldn't give me any real security, I stuck by him, hustling together for that so-called 'security'.
When Emelia, his childhood friend, ran into trouble, he said he couldn't just turn his back on her.
So, on my birthday, he stood me up, and I had to sit there alone, waiting for him to come home, surrounded by a table full of food I'd made for him.
All those years, all those things. I always thought I was the only one who knew how many compromises I had made.
Turned out, he knew everything, too.
There were so many times over the years when I wanted to walk away, but Andrew would always hold me close and say, "Olivia, everything I'm doing, all the hustle and chasing after success, it's all for our future.
"I want to give you the wedding of your dreams.
"I'm going to marry you, and I'll make you the happiest bride in the world."
Back then, I actually believed every word.
I thought all his hustle, all the times I swallowed my pride, was all for us, for our future.
But now, everything had changed. There's no going back.
This was the last straw. He finally hit my breaking point.
Now I saw him for what he really was. His so-called love wasn't worth a damn.
I stepped away from Andrew and went to stand beside James, taking my fiancé's hand and saying, "Even though we're over, I never did you wrong in this relationship. I hope you'll respect my choice, just like I always respected yours.
"Honestly, I don't want either of you at my wedding. It just wouldn't feel right, would it?
"My fiancé and I are childhood friends, too. We've got real history together. We're not changing our minds about getting married. Andrew, if there's nothing else, just don't come looking for me again."