Rejecting Second-Choice Love

Synopsis

I stood in the center of the Riverside Hotel's grand ballroom, my ivory dress catching the light from the crystal chandeliers overhead. One hundred and fifty pairs of eyes occasionally flicked in my direction – family members, college friends, colleagues, all dressed in their finest attire, champagne flutes in hand. The string quartet played softly in the corner, the melody floating above the gentle hum of conversation. My fingers traced the delicate beading on my bodice as I checked my watch for the fifth time. 7:29 PM. The engagement ceremony was