Chapter 5

Sienna looked up at Braiden, her eyes red. "I was worried Malia might misunderstand, so I thought I'd show her the dress I want to wear tomorrow night. If she doesn't like it, I'll pick something else."

Once she finished, the staff member opened the gift box.

Inside was a white satin dress.

A circle of tiny pearls was sewn around the hem.

I recognized it.

It was the alternate design of my wedding dress.

I thought it was too plain, so the salesperson suggested I wear it for the toast.

Now it had been shortened and handed to Sienna.

Braiden's expression finally changed.

"Who told you to take this?" he asked.

Sienna paused. "Didn't your assistant say I had first dibs on the venue and the dress?"

Her voice was soft, but loud enough for me to hear.

I looked at Braiden.

Instead of explaining, he glanced at the two staff members.

"Get out," he said.

The staff members left with their heads down.

The door closed, and now it was the three of us in the living room.

Sienna bit her lip. "Malia, I'm sorry. I didn't know it was yours."

I said, "Don't pretend; you knew exactly what you were doing."

Her face went pale.

Braiden stepped in front of her. "That's enough."

I smiled. "Feeling protective, are you?"

His voice dropped. "She really didn't know. Don't be so hard on her."

"Then does she know about this watch?" I asked.

I lifted my wrist.

Sienna's eyes flickered for a moment.

It happened in a flash.

But I noticed.

Braiden saw it, too.

He didn't say a word.

I took off my watch and set it on the table. "Ms. Cline, care to explain why my wedding countdown showed up on the big screen during your welcome party?"

Sienna's tears fell instantly.

"I thought the design was so romantic. I figured you wouldn't care, Malia. You're already married, and I... I have nothing," she choked out.

I had heard that excuse before.

I was already Mrs. Meyer, so the veil could go to her.

I was already married, so the wedding could be hers.

Just because I'm the one with the marriage certificate, I'm always expected to step aside for her regrets.

Braiden closed his eyes. "We're scrapping that design for tomorrow."

Sienna looked up. "But the invites are already sent."

I looked at Braiden.

He stayed silent.

Sienna took a step closer, her voice trembling. "Malia, I never meant to take your wedding away from you.

"Those years I spent overseas, I was waiting every day for Braiden to finally give me an answer. That countdown matters to me, too."

I asked, "What answer did he give you?"

Sienna looked at Braiden.

He didn't look away and said, "What happened in the past isn't something we should talk about now."

I nodded. "Fine, we'll settle it tomorrow night."

Braiden's brows drew together. "Malia."

I picked up the watch from the table and fastened it back on my wrist.

As the clasp snapped shut, I heard a faint click.

It felt like something was finally sealed shut.

"Braiden, I'll be there tomorrow night," I said.

He stared at me. "What are you trying to do?"

"I'm going to the party," I replied.

Sienna reached out and grabbed Braiden's sleeve. "Braiden, maybe we should call it off. I don't need to throw the party. If Malia's unhappy, I'll leave."

Braiden looked down at her hand.

A few seconds later, he took her hand off his sleeve.

I thought he was finally coming to his senses.

But then he turned to me. "Don't show up tomorrow night. Take it as me begging you."

I looked at him.

"Are you really begging me for her?" I asked.

Braiden swallowed hard.

"She can't take any more emotional shock," he said.

"And what about me?"

He didn't answer.

That was all the answer I needed.

I picked up my phone and sent Eloise another message. [Stick to the original plan.]

Braiden saw what I was doing and reached for my phone.

I stepped back.

His voice turned cold. "Don't let this get out of hand."

"It's already out of hand," I shot back.

Sienna burst into tears. "Malia, will you only be satisfied if I completely fall apart?"

Braiden immediately rushed to her side to support her.

I stood under the light, watching as he protectively pulled her into his arms, like it was second nature.

Three years ago, when I was rushed to the hospital for stomach bleeding, he held me like that.

I still remembered how warm his hand was that day, and how his sleeve ended up soaked with my blood.

I used to think he loved me.

Now I realized that he always knew how to protect someone.

He just stopped choosing me.

Braiden helped Sienna out, pausing for a moment as he passed by me.

"Don't show up tomorrow night. I'll have security stop you," he said.

The door closed.

I sat back down at the table and disassembled the countdown watch.

Beneath the mechanism, I found a small tracking device.

I used tweezers to pick it out and slipped it into an evidence bag.

Half an hour before the party started, I showed up at the hotel in a black suit.

The security guard stopped me at the door. "Sorry, Mrs. Meyer, Mr. Meyer said you're not on the list tonight."