Chapter 3

So every time Bambi had said, "I'm so jealous of you," she'd really been thinking, "Who do you think you are?"

Ethan and I had been together for three years, living together for two. He'd called me "baby" for two years. I thought he really loved me. I thought he was the one. I thought I was finally getting a home.

All because I'd had a boyfriend before.

All because I'd lived with my ex for a few years.

All because I wasn't a virgin.

That made it okay for them to treat me like this.

That made it okay for them to see me as a joke, a sucker, a stupid woman who deserved to be taken advantage of.

The door was pushed open again.

The wedding coordinator poked his head in. "Bride, get ready. You're up in five minutes."

I stood up and walked over to the mirror.

The woman in the mirror wore a wedding gown and flawless makeup, with a "family heirloom" gold bangle on her wrist.

She looked beautiful.

But there was something different in her eyes now.

The wedding march started up.

I linked arms with my dad and walked step by step down the red carpet toward Ethan at the end.

People filled the seats on both sides—clapping, smiling, holding up their phones.

[That dress is so tacky. Mine was much prettier.]

[Why does the bride look so miserable? If she doesn't want to get married, then don't.]

[Can we eat already? I have things to do this afternoon.]

[I gave 150 dollars as a gift. I'd better eat a lot to make it worth it.]

I listened to all these thoughts, and slowly, the corners of my mouth curled up.

My dad placed my hand in Ethan's.

Ethan gripped it tightly and gazed at me with deep emotion.

[Finally.]

"Dearly beloved," the coordinator boomed, "we are gathered here today to witness the union of this couple in holy matrimony..."

I lowered my gaze, listening to the hollow words.

"Do you, Ethan Moore, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health..."

"I do."

[Like hell I do. For money, I'll say anything.]

"And do you, beautiful bride, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband..."

"I..."

I looked up at Ethan.

He was watching me nervously, his eyes full of anticipation.

[Just say yes already. What's taking so long?]

I opened my mouth.

"I do."

The whole place erupted in applause.

Ethan let out a sigh of relief and leaned in to kiss me.

[Done deal.]

I closed my eyes and let his lips touch mine.

His lips were warm, but my heart felt cold.

We exchanged rings.

We received our parents' blessings.

Ethan's parents grinned from ear to ear and handed me a gift.

[This money's coming back to me anyway. Let her be happy for now.]

I took the gift with a smile and said, "Thank you."

The toasting ceremony kicked off.

I changed into a red reception dress and went table to table with Ethan.

The first table—relatives.

"Congratulations! So happy for you both!"

[Can she just get pregnant already? I want a grandchild.]

"Best wishes! May you have a long and happy marriage!"

[Better if they divorce. She's not good enough for Ethan.]

The second table—my parents' friends.

"You're so beautiful, sweetheart! Truly blessed!"

[Beautiful? She looks like she'd bring bad luck to any man.]

"You two look so in love!"

[Yeah right. They're both just keeping secrets from each other.]

The third table—Ethan's colleagues.

"Hey, Amara!"

[This is the woman he spent three years chasing? Not impressed.]

"Looking forward to getting to know you better!"

[I hear she's rich. Time to score some free dinners.]

The fourth table—my colleagues.

"Congratulations!"

[Finally got her married off. Now she'll stop bragging about her relationship at work.]

"Best wishes!"

[This wedding must have cost a fortune. How much is she making in gifts?]

I raised my glass again and again, drinking toast after toast.

My smile stayed on, but my heart was frozen inside.

"Hey, feeling tired?" Bambi came over and steadied me. "Want to sit down for a bit?"

[Good. Serve you right for having such a big wedding.]

"I'm good," I smiled at her. "Not tired at all."

[Go ahead and smile now, but you'll be the one crying later.]

I looked at her, and she looked back at me.

Three years of friendship. Roommates since sophomore year. We'd eaten together, complained about men together. She'd drunk with me till dawn when I was heartbroken. I'd paid her rent when she lost her job.

And all along, this was what she'd thought of me.

In her eyes, I was just some leftover nobody.

"I'll walk with you, then," Bambi said, taking my arm.

[I need to get out of here after the toasts. My boyfriend's waiting at home.]

I gently pulled my arm out of hers.

"It's okay, I can manage on my own," I said.