Chapter 2
I was stunned for a moment.
Ryan kept talking, his voice getting more desperate.
"Babe, I know I'm being a jerk, but Emily's family has these traditions. They're asking for a huge sum of money, and the company's cash flow is tight right now. If you just give me back the money, it'll be just enough to cover it."
His voice was pleading. "I swear I'll make it up to you. I'm yours. So what does the money matter? But if I don't give them this, we can't have the ceremony, and her whole village will look down on her forever."
He took a step closer. "After we're married, you'll manage all our finances. Please, can you just help me out this one time?
"Just this once!"
Looking at the man begging before me, I felt utterly hopeless.
Of course I was going to give the money back. I just never imagined it would be to fund his wedding to another woman.
"Fine," I said, transferring the money from my phone. "It's sent."
His face broke into a huge grin, and he pulled me into a hug.
"Sophia, you're the best! I promise, after this wedding, I'll cut ties with her for good!
"And then we'll have the wedding of a lifetime!"
I pushed him away. "I'm not marrying you."
He just laughed, ruffling my hair.
"Don't be like that. You stuck by me when I had nothing. You've given me everything. Of course I'm going to marry you. What kind of man would I be if I didn't?"
He tilted my chin up. "Our life is finally starting. You've waited this long. You're not going to give up on me now, are you?
"I won't let you down, Sophia. Once I give them closure, I'm all yours.
"My wife will only ever be you."
My face was pale, but I felt a hysterical laugh bubble up inside me.
He did remember that I was the one by his side when he had nothing.
He knew how good I had been to him, and still, he aimed the sharpest knife he could find straight at my heart.
I had nothing left to say. I made my bet, and I lost.
Seeing my silence, he assumed I was pacified and left, humming to himself.
A moment later, I got a Venmo notification. A transfer of 200 dollars with the note: [Love you forever, wifey.]
I didn't even look at it. I just kept packing.
That night, Emily brought Ryan home.
He was totally drunk, but he was smiling broadly.
"Oh, you're here," she said with a dismissive little laugh. "Don't worry. I've got this. I'm used to taking care of him."
I just looked at her and stepped aside.
It's not like I was going to help anyway.
She guided him to the sofa, expertly loosening his tie and pulling off his shoes.
Her movements were intimate and practiced. She was good at this.
Seeing me packing my things nearby, she offered a completely insincere apology. 'Sophia, Ryan came over to propose today. He was just so happy that he ended up having a few too many drinks with my family. You aren't mad, are you?'"
She continued, her smile widening, "Our daughter is staying with my family now. She's such a little spark plug. He and I are just so blissfully happy."
The malicious taunt didn't even sting anymore. I was numb.
"You know," I replied, "for someone who just found out they have a five-year-old daughter from the future, you're taking this surprisingly well. Much calmer than Ryan."
Her eyes flickered, a hint of nerves betraying her cool exterior. "Well, I did have a baby girl," she said with a shrug. "She's just a newborn, staying with my best friend. So a daughter from the future? Why would I be surprised?
"She's here to fix the past for us. Honestly, I'm grateful. But really, your nerve is something else. Watching your fiancé marry another woman and still hanging around his house? Bravo.
"The wedding is in two days, Sophia. Be sure to come."
She turned and sashayed out of the apartment, leaving the scent of her cloying perfume behind.
I looked at Ryan, who was passed out on the sofa.
He mumbled in his sleep, "Gotta get home. My wife is waiting for me..."
I watched him in silence.
No one would wait for him anymore.
At least, it wouldn't be me.
The next morning, Ryan was gone before I woke up.
He left me breakfast and a sticky note on the counter.
[Just two more days of ignoring you, babe. I'll make it all up to you after the wedding. I promise.]
I picked up a pen and wrote underneath it.
[Ryan, we're done.]
Then I zipped my last suitcase and walked out of the home we had built together without a single look back.
I went to the bridal shop to pick up the gown I had designed myself.
The owner looked embarrassed. "Mr. Carter picked up the dress a few days ago."
Her eyes were full of pity. "You didn't know?"
My heart sank.
His wedding with Emily was rushed, and they didn't have a dress prepared. So, everything I had painstakingly prepared was now being used to complete his fantasy with her.
"Miss, you custom-ordered that," the owner asked cautiously. "If you need it, I... I can try to get it back for you?"
I shook my head. "Don't bother. I don't want used goods."
I didn't want a used man, either. But I would make damn sure he paid back every single thing he owed me.