He Chose My Sister on Our Wedding Day—So I Walked Away Chapter 01

He Chose My Sister on Our Wedding Day—So I Walked Away Chapter 01

Grant had forgotten.

He’d once promised me a grand wedding, one where everyone would witness our happiness.

Instead, the reception hall was quieter than a funeral.

The air seemed to freeze.

Then Delaney stepped out from behind Grant. She wasn’t wearing her bridesmaid dress.

“Maren, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

Grant frowned at me, plainly displeased.

“Maren, it’s your wedding day. Don’t throw a tantrum.”

Mom raised her voice too.

“Delaney has a condition. You know that.”

“Just give in this once, and we’ll sort it out after the wedding. Okay?”

Here we go again.

Every time Delaney turned my life upside down, the answer was the same: I had to give in.

I had been giving in for twenty-six years.

Delaney pulled out a wet wipe and wiped her hands, taking her time.

Grant looked past me, straight at her.

“Don’t worry, Delaney. Today’s wedding will be spotless.”

“There won’t be a single hair on the tables. I’ve already had the favors taken away, the chocolates and the almonds.”

My chest clenched.

I had packed those favors myself.

I’d folded the kraft-paper boxes over three nights and driven to three different shops to pick the candy.

The night my fingers went numb, I texted Grant that I was exhausted.

He answered two hours later, in two words: [Get rest.]

Delaney blinked.

“I only mentioned it last night in passing. Grant, honey, you really shouldn’t have taken it to heart.”

Grant smiled, his voice softer than I’d heard it in months.

“You couldn’t sleep last night because you were so nervous. If I hadn’t done this, I wouldn’t have been able to relax.”

My eyes stung. I pulled off my wedding gown and pushed it into Grant’s arms.

He caught it on instinct and ended up holding the whole thing.

“You wanted a spotless wedding, didn’t you?”

I forced out a bitter smile.

“I’ve sat on the hotel couch this morning. I’ve touched the hotel door. So I’m dirty too.”

“There won’t be a wedding.”

Delaney shrank behind Grant.

“Maren, that’s not what I meant…”

“Then what did you mean?”

“I…”

Grant’s brows knotted.

“Maren, don’t talk to Delaney like that. She’s your sister.”

The relatives started in on me.

“Maren, stop being dramatic. Who runs out on her own wedding?”

“I’m not being dramatic.”

The words burst out of me, and everyone in the room went still.

Delaney’s tears spilled over.

“Maren, I really didn’t mean to.”

“It’s just my germ thing, and Grant only looks out for me. If you don’t like it, I’ll put everything back…”

She scooped up the gown and tried to drape it over my shoulders.

“Let me help you put it on. We’ll have the wedding like normal. Don’t let it be because of me…”

Before her hand touched me, her legs buckled and she fell.

Grant dropped down beside her, past me, his voice tight.

“Where did you hit?”

She was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.

“Don’t worry about me. Go comfort Maren.”

“I’ll move out of the condo today. I’ll never get in Maren’s way again…”