He Gave My Wedding Dress To Another Woman Chapter 04

He Gave My Wedding Dress To Another Woman Chapter 04

For one second, I thought he’d pulled it out for me.

The next, I felt the hope drain out of my face.

“What’s that look for? It’s one day. Think of it as making up for that stunt you pulled with Professor Hughes.”

He crossed to my vanity and picked up the silver locket sitting beside the mirror. “This goes with the dress. She can borrow it too.”

He’d given me that locket on our first anniversary. It was the only piece of jewelry that meant anything.

My hand shot out before I could think.

Too slow. It was already in his pocket.

My fingers closed on nothing. I watched him head for the door before my voice caught up. “Ethan. We’re supposed to go to City Hall today.”

He paused in the doorway — just for a beat. “Yeah, I know. This afternoon, City Hall. I’ll be there.”

The door had barely closed behind him.

My phone buzzed. [Ms. Bennett, this is a reminder that your flight departs this evening. Please plan accordingly.]

A second notification followed — Professor Hughes, checking in.

The afternoon sun beat down as I stood outside City Hall, eyes locked on my phone.

Nothing from Ethan.

The only message waiting was from Haley. [chloe!! the dress and locket are SO photogenic, thank you.]

A video followed right behind it.

Haley filled the frame, clinging to Ethan’s arm, beaming.

Voices floated in from off-camera.

“Those two are adorable. Can’t keep their hands off each other.”

“And the guy? Total gentleman. Fanning her, bringing her drinks, rubbing her shoulders between takes.”

“Right? And I heard them talking about doing a couples’ shoot next time.”

Each word landed like a nail driven in slowly.

I closed the video and deleted Haley’s contact.

The agreed time came and went. No Ethan. No message.

The doors to City Hall were already locked for the day when my phone finally lit up.

[ran out of time today. we’ll do the courthouse thing another day — no rush, right? a day or two won’t matter.]

I didn’t reply. I picked up my suitcase and got in the cab.

During the ride, another message came through.

[haley’s never seen a meteor shower. taking her up to the ridge tonight to catch one, so don’t wait up.]

I’d asked him to watch a meteor shower with me at least a dozen times over the years. He always said no.

Boring, he’d called it. Pointless.

One word from Haley, and he was driving up a mountain.

It was never about the meteor shower. It was about who was asking.

Professor Hughes was already at the gate when I got to the airport. He took one look at me — alone, suitcase in hand — and exhaled. “He’s really not coming, is he? That girl’s got him wrapped around her finger.”

“No, he’s not.” I managed half a smile. “He made his choice. And I’m making mine.”

“That goes for everything — the career, the relationship. All of it.”

Professor Hughes studied me for a moment.

“Fair enough.”

“Besides — there’s someone in Aldenbrook who’s been waiting a long time for you to show up. And trust me, he makes Ethan look like a rough draft.”