Chapter 3

I walked across the bridge alone.

My mind kept flashing back to how excited I had been when I accidentally saw Austin's proposal plans.

I had booked the makeup artist a month in advance. I ordered the perfect dress online. I spent eight hours at the salon getting my hair done.

Last night, I was so nervous I couldn't even sleep.

I had hugged my blanket, trying to picture Austin's face when he proposed.

He was always so calm and collected. Would he stutter? Would his ears turn bright red?

No matter what, I had planned to grab the ring, throw myself into his arms, and scream:

"Yes! A million times yes!"

If the sunset over the river was just right, the light would coat us in gold, just like in those cheesy romance movies.

Maybe a passerby would take a picture of us.

I wanted to use it as the cover of our wedding album, placing it in the most visible spot of our future home.

Thinking about it back then, I had actually laughed out loud with sweet anticipation.

The harsh honk of a car horn snapped me back to reality.

Now, with ruined hair and dusty footprints covering my dress, I was walking alone in the dark.

My phone buzzed.

It was a text from Austin.

[Sera, I'm so sorry.]

I stopped walking.

[But let's just go with it for now. Summer already accepted in front of everyone. Don't make it humiliating for her.]

[I'll explain to everyone later that it was just a dare.]

I stared at those lines for a long time.

But I wasn't surprised.

The second Austin said the wrong name, I knew exactly how he would handle it.

It was just like Valentine's Day, when the massive bouquet of red roses he ordered was accidentally delivered to Summer's desk.

When I wanted to go claim it, he had gently held my hand down.

"I'm sorry, Sera. I put the wrong recipient name by accident."

"Just let Summer keep them. Taking them back in front of the whole office would make her look bad."

Another notification popped up in the company retreat group chat.

[Austin is buying drinks for the engagement party! Everyone meet at the hotel's second-floor restaurant now!]

This wasn't a spontaneous decision. It was part of his original proposal plan.

Since he had proposed to the wrong person, he decided to just let Summer have everything else too.

That was always Austin's logic.

Someone posted a photo of the dinner table.

It was the hotel's highest-tier menu, and the main course was King Crab.

I am severely allergic to seafood. Austin could never remember that.

But it happened to be Summer's absolute favorite.

Maybe this was the universe guiding him back to where he belonged.

I closed the app and opened Uber.

Whatever the case, I was officially bowing out.

I unlocked the door to our apartment.

The first thing I saw was our couple's portrait sitting on the entryway cabinet.

My footsteps faltered.

Austin hated taking pictures. I had to beg him for months to get that photo.

I remembered the day we moved in. I ran around the apartment holding the frame, trying to find the perfect spot.

Austin had watched me, shaking his head.

"It's just a photo, Sera. What does it matter where it goes?"

I had turned around and looked at him seriously.

"It matters! I want everyone who walks through that door to see how happy we are the very second they enter!"

I chose the spot right by the door.

The hallway light would hit it perfectly the moment the door opened.

It was my only comfort after working late-night overtime in this crowded city, trying to build a life with him.

But was I really happy?

I picked up the frame, running my fingers over the glass.

Even in our couple's photo, Austin looked stiff and emotionless.