I Signed Away My First Love, Then Married Someone Else Chapter 08

I Signed Away My First Love, Then Married Someone Else Chapter 08

The clouds outside the window were thick.

Sunlight poured through the window, making my eyes ache.

I turned my head away.

Voices from the previous night’s party echoed in my mind.

“Just be patient. Once the wedding is over, we’ll work things out.”

Three months ago,

make a toast.”

he had said, “Whether you jump is your choice. I’m going back downstairs to

A year earlier, he had held my hand while we tried on ring after ring and said, “This one was made

for you.”

Five years earlier, the first time he’d held my hand, his palm had been damp with sweat.

All those voices tangled together until all I could hear was the officiant’s question.

“Do you take Madeline Hale to be your wife?”

He was certain I would come and make a scene.

The way I always had: by starving myself, cutting my wrists, or climbing onto a rooftop.

He believed this time would be no different.

But I had already stood on that roof.

The wind had been fierce that night.

The moment he turned his back and walked away, I let the whole world have him.

No one believed me.

Now they would.

The man beside me reached over and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“Get some sleep. I’ll wake you when we land.”

“Okay.”

I closed my eyes.

The ground fell away beneath us.

The rooftop garden, the white roses, and every person waiting for me to storm through the doors

were far behind me now.

The wedding ended in chaos.

When the officiant asked for the third time, Ethan finally spoke.

His voice was flat. “Stop the ceremony.”

The garden erupted.

Madeline stood before him, her makeup flawless but her smile frozen.

“Ethan, what are you doing?”

“Nothing.” He removed the boutonniere from his jacket and handed it to the best man. “We’re stopping the wedding. We’ll talk later.”

He turned and walked away from the altar.

Grant rushed forward to block him.

“Have you lost your mind? Half of Manhattan is watching!”

“You destroyed things with my sister over this wedding. Now that she hasn’t come, you’re walking away?”

Nate forced his way over and grabbed Ethan’s sleeve.

“Did that bitch get inside your head? She crashes your welcome party once, and now you’re abandoning the wedding? What about Maddie? How is she supposed to face everyone?”

Ethan stopped and turned his head.

“Who did you just call a bitch?”

“Claire. Who else?” Nate lifted his chin. “All she ever does is make scenes.”

“Nathan Brooks.”

Ethan tore his arm free.

“You grew up with her. When your family’s company was collapsing, she was the one who begged my father to save it. Before you insult her again, remember exactly how much you owe her.”

Nate had no answer.