Chapter 3

Emily's POV

I folded the last sweater, packed it into the suitcase, and zipped it shut.

Standing up, my voice was as calm as if I were talking about the weather. "Just clearing out some old junk to throw away tomorrow. It was taking up too much space."

Alexander stood at the doorway, watching me with a tight frown.

"Stop messing around and go to sleep. The photographer is coming early tomorrow for our engagement shoot. Don't be late." He pulled off his tie and walked into the bathroom.

I watched his back, finding the whole thing incredibly hilarious.

He had legally married someone else, yet he still wanted to take engagement photos with me? How did he even have the nerve?

The next morning, I carried the black trash bags out.

Alexander actually reached out to take them. "These are heavy. What's inside? Let me throw them out for you."

He reached to open the bag.

I placed my cold hand over his, stopping him.

"Just old, useless trash. It's dirty."

He didn't think twice about it and tossed them into the dumpster downstairs.

Watching five years of memories go down the garbage chute actually made it easier to breathe.

The photographer met us in a historic district downtown.

The makeup artist was already waiting in a van to do my hair and makeup.

I changed into a dress I brought myself and stood on the cobblestone street, waiting for the shoot to start.

On the way over, Alexander had stopped by a boutique and bought a dress for me.

It was cream-colored, with vintage lace and a soft, ruffled hem.

"Wear this one," he said, handing it to me with absolute certainty. "You'll look beautiful in it."

I took it and stared at it for a second.

The style of this dress was almost identical to the white knit dress Sophia had worn yesterday. They looked like they came from the same wardrobe.

I didn't even have the energy to argue. I went back into the van and changed.

Before the camera could even click, Alexander's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, his face changing instantly. He walked off to the side to take the call.

A few minutes later, he walked back with a guilty expression. "Emily, there's an absolute emergency at the firm. I have to go. We'll do your solo shots today, and we can reschedule the couple shots later."

The photographer and makeup artist exchanged awkward glances.

Who leaves their fiancée alone during an engagement shoot?

But I just nodded. "Sure. Go do what you need to do."

Alexander seemed surprised by how easygoing I was. A flash of guilt crossed his eyes, and he reached out to pat my head. "I'm sorry. Once this busy season is over, I'll take you to Hawaii for a proper honeymoon."

"No need," I said, dodging his hand and turning toward the photographer. "Go. Don't let me hold you up."

After Alexander left, I finished the entire shoot by myself.

Standing alone on the cobblestone street, looking down to fix my hair, holding the bouquet.

The photographer kept praising me, saying, "So natural!" and "Perfect!"

I smiled on cue, but I knew deep down that this "natural" look was just pure acting.

When it was over, I changed into my normal clothes, wiped off the makeup, and took an Uber back to the apartment.

As I reached the door, the smell of food greeted me.

I pushed the door open, and the scene inside made me freeze.

Sophia was wearing one of Alexander's white dress shirts, the sleeves rolled up several times. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and she was carrying a pan out of the kitchen.

Seeing me, Sophia didn't look flustered at all. Instead, she flashed a warm, hostess-like smile. "Oh, Emily's back! Alexander said you'd be starving after shooting all day, so he asked me to whip up some dinner."

Alexander walked in from the balcony. When he saw me, a brief flash of awkwardness crossed his face.

"Sophia's apartment had a major pipe burst, and her landlord is fixing it. She has nowhere else to go, so I told her she could stay in the guest room for a few days."

"Is that so?" I kicked off my shoes, not even glancing at the food on the table. "Enjoy your dinner. I'm going to bed."

I walked straight toward the guest room at the end of the hall to grab the charger I had left there last night.

"Don't go in there!" Alexander suddenly yelled, his voice laced with panic.

But it was too late.

I pushed the door open.

Hanging on the wall right in front of me was a massive, professionally shot wedding portrait in a dark wooden frame.

In the photo, Alexander was wearing a sharp black suit, and Sophia was in a stunning white bridal gown.

They were sitting side by side, Sophia's head resting gently on his shoulder, smiling like a dream.

In the bottom right corner was the date of the shoot: exactly twenty days ago.

I stared at the photo, my nails digging deep into my palms to suppress the rising urge to throw up.