Chapter 2

Twenty-four wedding cars reversed down the winding mountain road.

Two of my bridesmaids frowned and complained.

"Mandy, we've already backed up over twenty kilometers! If we keep going, we'll be back at your front door!"

"Seriously! The road's wide enough—we could totally squeeze past!"

My heart felt like a deflated balloon.

The bridesmaids got out of the car to argue on my behalf.

"Ethan, don't you know wedding cars aren't supposed to go in reverse?"

"Yeah, we've already backed up over twenty kilometers! How much farther do you want us to go?"

Ethan sensed the tension and strode over, leaning against my car window.

His face was so close—those trembling eyes and that faint cedarwood scent used to be my weakness.

But right now, I felt nothing.

"Mandy, just hang in there a bit longer. Once we get to the next turnoff, we'll stop reversing."

I looked at Wendy in the opposite wedding car, her face glowing with joy.

My voice came out flat.

"Whatever you want."

Ethan's smile froze. He clearly hadn't expected me to respond like that.

The groomsmen crowded around.

"Mandy, don't be mad. The road's too narrow to pass. We have to reverse."

"Yeah, and our convoy is closer to the turnoff anyway. It saves time if we're the ones to back up."

"Exactly! Mandy, don't give Ethan attitude. He's doing his best here."

I let out a cold laugh.

"Didn't we just pass two turnoffs? Why didn't you reverse onto those side roads?"

The groomsmen were speechless, all looking at Ethan.

Ethan grabbed my hand.

"Mandy, this is my fault. I didn't plan the route well. When we get home, I'll make it up to you personally."

Did he really not plan the route well? Or did he deliberately take this detour to see Wendy off?

I let out a calm breath and shook my head, not wanting to pursue it further.

"No need, Ethan."

The groomsmen, missing my tone entirely, laughed and praised me.

"See? Mandy's so understanding and considerate of Ethan."

"Man, you guys are goals. We don't even need to explain anything!"

The group walked away laughing, taking Ethan with them.

They went back to directing the wedding convoy to make way for Wendy's procession.

My phone buzzed repeatedly.

"Mandy Foster, I thought you were supposed to be something special. Turns out even on your wedding day, you have to make way for me."

"Ha! I didn't even have to lift a finger. Ethan cleared every obstacle for me. If you didn't know better, you'd think I was his bride!"

She forwarded me a screenshot.

A post Ethan had just made on Instagram.

"If I can't marry you, at least I can pave you a smooth path covered in flowers."

I looked down at the road.

It was covered in petals of Damascus roses—Wendy's favorite.

My nose stung, and hot tears slid down my cheeks.

Voice nearly breaking, I called Ethan at the back of the convoy.

"Ethan, I don't want to reverse anymore."

The line went silent for two seconds.

"Mandy, we're almost—"

I hung up and took a deep breath.

Ethan, from this moment on, I'll never make myself wait for you again.