Chapter 3

I just stood there. It all just felt so absurd.

Both families were supposed to be meeting to talk about the engagement.

Meanwhile, my best friend was all dressed up, sitting right there in the passenger seat next to my fiancé.

Sophie shot Alex a glare. "You're hopeless, Alex! I'm a total cutie, you know!"

Then she turned to me, pouting dramatically. "Emma, look at your man. He's bullying me again!

"Come on, let's head to the hotel together!"

But she made no move to unbuckle her seatbelt or get out of the car.

I took a step back.

Alex looked at me. "Emma?"

I said, "I'll drive myself."

I got my driver's license last year, and my dad bought me a car.

Sophie looked genuinely shocked. "Emma, you actually know how to drive? Weren't you supposed to be a menace behind the wheel?"

Alex frowned, "Seriously, when was the last time you drove? Traffic's crazy today. Just hop in with me."

I said calmly, "Alex, I'm not riding with you."

His face darkened. "Emma, do you really have to make a scene today?"

I didn't say another word. I just turned and walked away.

When I got my driver's license, I aced every test on the first try.

But Alex always said girls shouldn't be driving. It was way too risky for someone like me.

Every time we went out, he'd insist on riding shotgun.

He'd always keep an eye on the road, nagging me to change lanes or slam the brakes.

I'd get so tense that after just ten minutes behind the wheel, I'd be drenched in sweat.

Alex would always say, "With nerves like yours, you really shouldn't be driving."

Over time, I started to think he was right.

By now, I didn't feel the same way.

I pulled away slowly, and in the rearview mirror, I could see Alex's car right on my tail.

My phone kept buzzing nonstop.

I glanced at it while waiting at a red light.

All of them were voice messages from Alex.

I tapped on them, listening to them one by one.

"Emma, don't be mad."

"I messed up, Emma. I really know I was wrong. Please forgive me."

"Our parents are all here today. Just give me this one break, okay? Let's talk about it later, when we're home."

"I'm really worried about you driving like this."

But I could hear Sophie chiming in from the background.

"He has to apologize even when he didn't do anything wrong?"

"She really does act like a princess."

"Bet she'll start bawling halfway there."

My parents heard it too, and they looked really upset.

I stopped listening, shut off my phone, and just focused on driving.

When I finally parked outside the restaurant, I was still sweating a little.

I sat in the car for a bit, catching my breath. That weight on my chest finally felt a little lighter.

Turned out, I could handle it.

I just used to trust Alex way too much.