He Promised To Be My Right Ear But Failed Chapter 05

He Promised To Be My Right Ear But Failed Chapter 05

The coordinator was quiet for a few seconds.

“Are you sure?”

My eyes went to the white canopy sticking out of the trash bag.

“I’m sure.”

I hung up. I didn’t cry.

I just started opening the boxes, one by one.

I boxed up the favors to send back.

I tore up the place cards.

I put the guest book in the bottom of the cabinet.

I was going to throw out the photo album.

But when I flipped to the last page, my hand went still.

It had been taken the day we got engaged.

Miles was on my right, head bent, adjusting the hearing aid behind my ear.

In the photo, his eyes were soft.

I stared at it, then closed the album.

Keys rattled in the lock. Miles had come back.

“What are you doing?”

I sealed the last box of favors.

“I’m sending everything back.”

He crossed the room and grabbed the contract off the table.

He found the cancellation clause, and his hands stilled.

“Did you really cancel?”

I nodded.

Miles looked at me like he was seeing a stranger.

“Audrey, have you lost your mind?”

“I haven’t.”

He threw the contract on the table.

“What am I supposed to tell my parents? The venue’s already processed the cancellation. How am I supposed to explain this?”

My tone was even.

“Tell them the truth.”

“And say what? That you called off the wedding over an umbrella and a few of Blair’s jokes?”

I looked up at him.

“You can say that.”

“Audrey, just stop.”

“I know I haven’t been very considerate lately. I’ll replace the umbrella, and I’ll get Blair to give the corsage back.”

“We’ll redo the wedding setup. Okay?”

Once, I would have caved.

One small concession, and I would’ve convinced myself I was overreacting.

But now, looking at him, all I saw was someone I didn’t recognize.

“There’s no point.”

Miles stared at me.

“Then what do you want?”

I thought about it.

“I want quiet.”

He froze. I went back to putting the place cards in the bag.

Miles caught my wrist and held it down.

“Audrey, we’ve known each other twenty years. You can’t just cancel and walk away. Did you even think about me?”

My gaze dropped to his hand.

“I did.”

I didn’t look away.

“That’s why I did it now, and not at the altar.”

The hope vanished.

Miles let go of my wrist. A short, bitter laugh left his mouth.

“How considerate of you.”

I didn’t answer.

My phone rang. Mom.

I picked up, and she was already talking.

“Audrey, Eleanor just called in a panic. She said the wedding is off. What happened? Did you two have a fight?”

I glanced at Miles.

He was watching me, sure I’d cover for him.

I opened my mouth.

“Mom, the wedding’s off.”

The line went quiet.

“Have you thought it through?”

“I have.”

“Then come home. I’ll make you something to eat.”

“Okay.”

Miles went pale.

He hadn’t expected my mother to take my side.

I hung up and went to the bedroom for my suitcase.

He followed.

“You’re leaving?”

I pulled my clothes from the closet, one by one.

“Yes.”

“To your parents’ house?”

“Yes.”

Miles stood in the doorway. His voice was low.

“Audrey, if you walk out that door, we’re done.”

My hands paused on the clothes.

He noticed and thought I was wavering. His tone softened.

“Audrey, don’t do this. I’ll handle Blair. I’ll keep my distance from her, okay?”

Audrey.

He was finally saying my name the way he used to. But it was too late.

“Miles, don’t bother.”

He swallowed hard.

“Don’t bother with what?”

I wheeled the suitcase past him.

“Don’t bother handling her.”

“And don’t bother trying to fix us.”

The elevator was already waiting.

I stepped in. Miles stood in the doorway, but he didn’t come after me.

The elevator doors slid shut.

In that last second, I saw his face. He looked so sure.

He was certain I was just going home for a few days.

He thought I’d be back.