After Our Wedding Was Canceled, He Searched the River for the Ring Chapter 01

After Our Wedding Was Canceled, He Searched the River for the Ring Chapter 01

Three days before I was due to marry Miles Bennett, my best friend, Sienna Clarke, told me through tears that she had fallen for someone she never should have.

That night, I drank with her until she was completely wasted, then called Miles to come pick me up.

To give Miles a scare, I slumped over the table and pretended to be asleep.

Half an hour later, familiar footsteps stopped beside me. Miles bent down and, just as he always did when I was drunk, gently pinched my cheek.

“Elena?”

I bit back a smile and said nothing, burying my face deeper in the crook of my arm as the corners of my mouth curled up.

Once he realized I was faking, he would let out that helpless sigh of his and scoop me into his arms, just as he had countless times before.

But then his hand went still.

Before I could process what was happening, he turned and walked over to Sienna.

“How did you get this drunk?”

Sienna grabbed his sleeve, her eyes unfocused. “Miles…”

He did not pull away. Instead, he bent closer and murmured, “I’m here.”

I remained slumped over the table, suddenly stone-cold sober.

In that moment, I realized who Sienna had meant when she said she had fallen for someone she should not have.

***

Miles carried Sienna to the front passenger seat first, his movements practiced and effortless. When he turned back for me, I cracked my eyes open.

“Miles, why did you pick her up first?”

He paused, looked down at me, and spoke in the coaxing voice he always used when I was drunk.

“She’s in worse shape. You’ll be able to stretch out in the back and be more comfortable.”

I nodded. His explanation made sense, yet an ache still settled in my chest.

I lowered my gaze, pretended the alcohol was catching up with me, and clutched weakly at the hem of his jacket.

“Miles.”

He looked down at me. “Yeah?”

“If you ever cheat on me, I’ll kill you.”

He laughed softly, as though humoring a drunk who was being unreasonable.

“Not a chance. I still plan on spending the rest of my life with you.”

I said nothing and slowly closed my eyes. My throat tightened.

As we crossed an intersection, someone darted into the road. Miles slammed on the brakes, and my forehead struck the back of the front seat so hard that my vision went black for a second.

His arm shot out instinctively to protect Sienna.

Only after she was steady did he glance at me in the rearview mirror. I hurriedly shut my eyes, too afraid to find out whether he was worried about me or only checking to see if I had woken up.

By the time I came back to myself, we were parked outside Sienna’s apartment building. Miles got out, lifted her into his arms, and carried her inside.

I slowly climbed out and followed them. The hallway was silent except for the echo of their footsteps. I followed behind them, telling myself over and over that maybe I was reading too much into it.

Then Miles placed a finger on the scanner, and the door unlocked.

I froze in disbelief.

Sienna rose onto her toes and kissed him. Still kissing, they backed into the apartment with their bodies entwined.

That was when I finally understood.

Some questions no longer needed to be asked.

Through the half-open door, Miles finally lifted his head. The moment he saw me, he seemed to snap back to reality and shoved Sienna away.

“Sienna’s drunk. I was just bringing her upstairs for you.”

My gaze fell to the lock.

“Did you add your fingerprint to her lock for me, too?”

Miles was silent for two seconds before answering quietly, “A client changed the wedding timeline, and I came by a few times to help with sample deliveries.”

“Was kissing her part of the job too?”

Sienna’s eyes reddened.

“Elena, don’t blame him. This was all my—”

“Sienna, since when did you get to speak for my fiancé?”

Miles stepped in front of her, shielding her behind him.

“Enough. This has nothing to do with her.”

I looked at him and nodded.

“Right. It has nothing to do with her.”

“I shouldn’t have followed you, shouldn’t have seen any of this, and shouldn’t have asked.”

Panic flickered across his face.

“That’s not what I meant.”

I shook my head.

“I’ve spent the entire drive making excuses for you.”

“I can’t keep lying to myself. We’re done.”

I turned and walked away.

Footsteps rushed after me. Miles caught my wrist, his palm burning against my skin.

“Elena, don’t say things you don’t mean, okay?”

“We’ve been together eight years, not eight days.”

“You’ve already chosen your dress, and the venue is booked. Our wedding is in three days.”

“You were up past midnight last night editing our wedding video.”

I stopped.

The video was made from proposal clips he had secretly recorded in countless places—on campus, on street corners, in the snow, and by the sea.

I had pieced eight years of us together, one fragment at a time.

Tears stung my eyes.

For a moment, I almost asked him to end whatever was going on with Sienna right then and there.

Before I could speak, her faint cry came from inside the apartment.

“Miles…”

He let go of me immediately.

“Her stomach’s bothering her. I’m going to check on her.”

He took two steps, then turned back as though afraid I might actually leave.

“Elena, wait downstairs.”

“We’ll talk when I come back.”

I looked at him and slowly drew my hand back.

“Okay.”