Chapter 3

Holding Chloe’s hand, we walked slowly down the aisle toward the altar.

She looked stunning in the wedding dress I had personally picked out for her. She looked like an angel.

The white veil fell over her face, partially hiding her distracted expression.

Below the stage, our friends and family clapped, watching what they thought was the perfect couple.

"Ethan, do you take Chloe to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?" the priest asked.

I smiled, looking at her. "I do."

"And Chloe, do you take Ethan to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

Chloe went completely silent. Seconds ticked by.

The crowd started to whisper.

"Chloe, what's wrong?" I whispered, leaning in.

"Chloe, sweetheart, answer him. What are you doing?" Mrs. Davis called out anxiously from the front row.

But Chloe remained frozen. She was staring intently at the entrance of the chapel, like a statue.

"Chloe," I said, gently grabbing her arms. "What’s going on? We’re in the middle of our wedding."

Suddenly, Chloe moved. Her eyes, which had been dull seconds ago, lit up like fireworks.

She shoved my hands away and ran down the aisle.

I spun around, utterly confused, and saw Tyler standing at the entrance.

He was on the guest list, but we weren't close, so I hadn't minded when he didn't show up early.

Why was he here now? And why was Chloe running to him?

"Tyler! You came! I thought I’d lost you!" Chloe sobbed, throwing herself into his arms right at the door.

The chapel erupted into chaos.

"Chloe, what the hell are you doing?" I asked, my voice echoing through the speakers.

She turned her head, a tearful but triumphant smile on her face. "Ethan, I can’t marry you. I never loved you. The only man in my heart is Tyler."

She looked up at Tyler. "Are you finally ready to forgive me?"

Tyler nodded slowly. She smiled so sweetly—the exact same smile she gave me when I accepted her proposal.

The guests were buzzing. Some were yelling for Chloe to come back, while others were looking at me with pity and amusement.

I stood there, feeling like a stripped-bare clown, left for everyone to mock.

"Chloe, you do realize this is our wedding, right?" My voice was dry and quiet.

She shrugged, completely heartless. "I know. But this wedding was just a tool to get him back."

"Ethan, I only got with you to make him jealous."

With that, she wrapped her arms around Tyler's neck and kissed him passionately. Right there. At our wedding.

Everyone was stunned. Even her parents, who had been furious a second ago, were speechless.

Once they finished kissing, they turned and walked out of the chapel, holding hands like victorious generals.

They had ruined a wedding, but hey, they got their 'epic love story.'

Watching Chloe's retreating back, my fists clenched, then slowly relaxed.

What a shame. I really thought I had found someone who could replace *her*.

But a substitute is just a substitute. My Lily would never have done something so cheap.

I guess no one could ever compare to my gold standard.

Oh well. Let her go.

I shrugged, turned around, and walked off the stage.