Chapter 1

On the day I went with Carter Davis for our pre-wedding health checkup, the nurse looked up from her clipboard and gave him a second glance.

"Carter? Weren’t you just here last week?"

He paused for a microsecond, then smiled warmly. "You must have me confused with someone else."

On the way back, he squeezed my hand. "We’re getting our marriage license at City Hall next month. Nervous?"

"A little," I said.

The next day, I took a half-day off and went back to the clinic.

I didn't book an appointment. I just walked straight to the reception desk and asked one question.

"My fiancé was here last week. What department did he visit?"

The nurse looked at me, hesitating for a long time.

Finally, she uttered two words: "OB-GYN."

I stood in the clinic lobby. Outside, the sky was a brilliant, mocking blue.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from Carter: "Booked the wedding photoshoot for Saturday. What style do you like?"

I swiped the notification away and opened the City Hall appointment portal.

I clicked "Cancel".

The system flashed a prompt: "Please state your reason for cancellation."

I typed in:

"The groom has already started a new family with someone else."