Chapter 4

I answered my mother’s call.

“Daniel just contacted me,” she said. “He told me something happened between you, but he’s going to fix it. Nora, the relatives are already on their way. Can’t you wait before making any decisions?”

“He’s been involved with Paige for six months.”

My mother didn’t respond immediately.

Then she asked, “Did Daniel admit that?”

“Yes.”

“You should still wait until both of you have calmed down. The wedding is three days away. If you tell everyone now, you won’t be able to take it back later.”

That was exactly the point.

“I’m not taking it back.”

After ending the call, I stopped reading Daniel’s messages.

At nine that morning, I canceled every wedding arrangement that didn’t require his approval.

I also notified our landlord that I would be leaving our apartment at the end of the month.

It didn’t take long.

What stopped me was the steady stream of travel updates in the guest group chat.

Some people had already arrived. Others were at the airport. Someone was asking what to wear on Saturday.

I opened the conversation and typed:

Daniel and I will not be getting married on Saturday. Last night, I learned that he and Paige have been involved for six months. The wedding is canceled. Please do not continue to the venue. To those who have already started traveling, I’m sorry.

Before sending it, I glanced at the recorder in my bag.

I didn’t attach the file. I wasn’t going to use my most private vows to prove what Daniel and Paige had done.

I pressed Send.

The chat stayed quiet for a few seconds.

Then the messages flooded in.

Someone asked if my account had been hacked. Others demanded that I answer my phone. Several people told me not to handle a private relationship problem in front of the entire family.

Paige left the group.

Daniel called immediately.

“Nora, please delete that message.” His voice was strained. “I’m trying to settle everyone down, but you can’t end us like this.”

“I already have.”

“Eight years can’t disappear in one morning,” he said. “Come to the venue. Give me ten minutes before you end everything.”

“It didn’t happen in one morning. It happened over six months.”

“Then let me answer for those six months in person.”

“You had six months to do that.”

“Where are you now?”

I could hear guests talking in the background.

Daniel hesitated.

“At the venue.”

Last night, he had left me to take care of Paige.

Now he was standing where our wedding was supposed to happen, asking me to believe he would choose me first.

“I’m not coming.”

“Then I’ll come to you. Nora, don’t turn off your phone. Wait for me—”

I ended the call.

A few minutes later, Daniel posted in the guest group.

He didn’t deny the six months or blame me. He only asked everyone to keep their travel plans unchanged and insisted that the wedding wasn’t over.

More messages urging me to reconsider appeared.

Then a relative who had just arrived posted a photograph.

Paige stood behind the welcome table, sorting through the guest materials.

Daniel was beside her, fastening a staff badge to her dress.

At the same moment, a message from the venue coordinator appeared on my screen:

Mr. Mercer has refused to cancel Saturday’s event. He says the bride only needs time to calm down.

A second message followed before I could answer.

He has also instructed us to keep your recorded vows in the ceremony cue. He believes hearing them on Saturday will remind you why you agreed to marry him.

I looked at the recorder beside my laptop.

Daniel had ignored my decision, kept the room, placed Paige behind my welcome table, and planned to use my own voice to bring me back.

I called the coordinator.

“What do you need from me to remove the recording?”

“A written withdrawal of permission. But Mr. Mercer may object.”

“Send it now.”

Daniel could keep a room full of guests if he wanted.

He was not keeping my name, my ceremony, or my voice.