Chapter 5

She clicked her tongue twice.

"He called us this morning specifically to warn us. Said you're stubborn and we need to keep an eye on you. Make sure you don't do anything stupid."

She grabbed my wrist and yanked. "Come on. You're coming with us."

I stumbled. "I already told you I'm not going."

"Not going?" My mother let out a harsh laugh. "And leave you alone here? You think I trust you to behave?"

"The second we leave, you'll run over there and make a scene. Where does that leave us? You're coming. I'm watching you."

She shoved me toward the door.

...

The wedding was held at a luxury hotel owned by the Astor Corporation.

My parents flanked me on either side.

Onstage, Blair held onto the groom's arm, her eyes crinkling with her smile.

Sterling reached up and brushed a strand of hair from her face.

The crowd below started chanting, "Kiss her! Kiss her!"

He smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

My mother leaned in and whispered in my ear. "Look how perfect they are together. Stop holding onto something that was never yours."

I didn't respond.

When she first found out the great Sterling Astor was my boyfriend, she said the exact same thing.

The officiant launched into a sentimental speech about childhood sweethearts and destiny, about obstacles overcome by true love.

I lowered my head and pulled my lips into something resembling a smile.

This officiant was one I had personally selected from the top ten in the city.

He certainly knew how to work a crowd.

Childhood sweethearts that was them. I was the obstacle in their love story.

I looked around the ballroom.

The crystal chandeliers were the exact color temperature I had chosen. The centerpieces were arrangements I had selected. The background music was from a playlist I had built.

Every single party favor had been carefully curated by me.

A wedding I planned with my own hands, only to watch him marry someone else.

Suddenly, I thought maybe this is for the best. I got to close this chapter myself.

My phone buzzed in my bag. The screen lit up.

9:45 PM flight to...

I stared at the notification and felt relief.

My hand brushed lightly over my stomach. Soon, I would have family tied to me by blood and a career worth building.

My heart finally felt like it had somewhere to land.

I turned off the screen and stood up to leave.