I Was the Bride They Voted Out Chapter 02

I Was the Bride They Voted Out Chapter 02

I didn’t sleep that night.

I deleted every photo of them from my phone.

Fifteen years of memories took only hours to clear.

By the end, my photo album was almost empty.

I stared at the blank screen for a long time, then got up to pack.

So many things were tied to them.

So many things should have been thrown out long ago.

I opened the closet and reached for my suitcase.

My fingers stopped on a gray scarf.

I was fourteen when my parents died. None of my relatives wanted me.

I sat on the steps, crying so hard I couldn’t breathe.

Ryan Sullivan crouched in front of me and wrapped this scarf around my neck.

He said, “Nina, from now on, my home is your home.”

After that, he spent every birthday with me.

Eighteen—just a small cake, its candles flickering.

Twenty-two—hotpot in our rented apartment.

When I was twenty-six and he’d lost everything after his startup failed, he’d held me close and whispered,

“When I get back on my feet, I’ll give you the most unforgettable thirtieth birthday.”

But on my thirtieth, he gave another woman that promise in Santorini.

The doorbell rang.

Ryan stood outside holding a birthday cake and a bouquet of white roses.

Olivia poked her head out from behind him, smiling like nothing happened.

“Nina! Surprise! I went to the Caldwell with family yesterday and got you a candle set.”

Rachel handed me a pair of earrings.

“I’ve been so busy I forgot your birthday. But I already have gifts ready.”

A few mutual friends crowded in, setting up balloons and streamers in the living room.

“Come on, birthday girl. We’re making it up to you today.”

The people in front of me suddenly overlapped with last night’s video.

They were talking, but I couldn’t hear a word.

All I heard was the group chat.

“She’ll throw a fit for a day or two.”

“Once Ryan sweet-talks her, she’ll come crawling back.”

Ryan opened a jewelry box. Inside lay a necklace.

He reached around and fastened it on me, his fingers brushing the back of my neck—just like always.

“Honey, I was really busy yesterday.”

“Don’t be mad. Once you join my company, we’ll be together every day.”

The cold chain pressed against my skin.

It felt like it was choking me.

I pulled it off and placed it back inside the box.

The smile froze on Olivia’s face.

“Seriously, Nina? We all came to make it up to you, and you’re still giving us attitude?”

Rachel sighed.

“You’re thirty. Don’t be so childish.”

I looked up at them, my throat dry and burning.

“Are you done performing?”

The room went dead silent.

I asked, word by word, “How was the Santorini wedding?”

Olivia’s face paled, then she frowned.

“If you already knew, why didn’t you just ask instead of embarrassing everyone like this?”

One of the friends spoke up.

“Claire waited ten years for Ryan. She’s been through a lot too.”

“So what if you were with him for fifteen years? Love isn’t a waiting line.”

I wanted to laugh, but my lips trembled.

Ryan reached for my hand.

“Nina. Don’t do this.”

“Claire and I just had a ceremony. We never registered the marriage.”

I looked up sharply.

His eyes were tired but certain.

“I promised I’d give you an answer when you turned thirty. I haven’t forgotten.”

“If you’re willing, we can get the marriage license tomorrow.”

“She wants the ceremony. You want the home. I give her the wedding, I give you the marriage certificate. Nobody loses.”

My ears rang.

I almost laughed at how absurd it sounded.

Ryan softened his voice.

“Nina, you don’t have a family. That’s why I can’t abandon you.”

“You already quit your job. Who’s going to celebrate your birthdays with you now? Who’ll pick you up from work? Who’ll take care of you when you’re sick?”

His voice was gentle.

But all he did was remind me I had nothing.

I looked at the balloons, the presents, that cold necklace.

My eyes burned. Yet not a single tear fell.

I slowly took a step back, avoiding the hand he reached toward me.

He frowned. “Nina?”

I looked at him, voice soft.

“You’re right.”

“I do need to find myself a home.”