Chapter 2

I drive straight home. Don't cry. Don't call anyone.

Right before I fall asleep, my phone lights up. Ethan.

His voice is lazy, half-bored. "You mad about the bar?"

"No."

He laughs. "You've gotten weirdly chill lately, Val. It's freaking me out a little."

Then, smoothly, "Listen. Rae flew in from London the second she heard I was getting married. She and I are ancient history, okay? You're the one I'm marrying. The three nights thing is just a family thing—"

"You don't have to explain." I cut him off. "I respect your family's traditions. Just remember — mine has one too. You'll respect it tomorrow."

"Sure, baby. What's the tradi—"

A soft moan cuts him off.

"Ethan… focus. You said tonight was our last night. Don't get distracted."

He clears his throat fast. "Okay, gotta run. See you tomorrow. I'll be there. Promise."

I hang up. Power off the phone. Go to sleep.

Numb is better than hurting.

...

Morning. I turn the phone back on and a text from Dani is waiting.

It's a video.

Two bodies tangled in the bed.

I know who are they. I close the screen. Calmly. Set the phone face-down.

Drive to the venue.

In the bridal suite, Dani is shaking she's so angry, yanking the zipper up the back of my dress.

"What is wrong with him? Family tradition? That is not a tradition, Val, that is cheating! Betrayal!"

"You walked out on your parents for him. He swore on everything he loved that he'd treat you right. And now he's posting sex tapes with his mistress the night before the wedding! Does he have any shame?"

Probably not. I think.

When I chose Ethan, my family lost their minds. They had someone picked out for me already — practically since we were childhood. I said no. I walked out for Ethan. Completely.

He swore — swore — he'd never make me regret it.

When did it start to change?

Six months ago, maybe. A call from overseas. Raelynn crying down the line about some breakup in London. And just like that, his head was somewhere else.

Dani grips my shoulders. "Val. I love you. But you cannot actually be marrying him after this. Please tell me you're not."

I look at myself in the mirror. White dress. Steady eyes.

"Dani. You've known me since we were six. You know how I work."

I smile.

"Someone humiliates me? I humiliate them back. Same way. Twice as hard."