Chapter 2

The wedding ring clinked loudly as I threw it into the trash can.

The two in front of me froze in shock.

Clara frowned, opening her mouth to speak,

but Natalie's squeal of joy cut her off.

"Chloe! You're finally here! Look at me, don't I look absolutely gorgeous today?"

She twirled in front of me, holding up the skirt of her gown, chatting away as if nothing was wrong.

"I passed by the bridal shop a while ago and casually told Ethan how beautiful this dress was. I can't believe he remembered!"

"And this ring! It's exactly my style."

"Ethan told me everything. Thank you so much for helping him plan the wedding these past few months, Chloe. I'm so lucky to have a best friend like you."

I stood frozen.

No wonder the dress I spent months choosing was suddenly swapped by Ethan at the last minute.

No wonder the backup ring had a diamond twice the size of my original one.

The wedding I had painstakingly planned...

was never meant for me in the first place.

I let out a mocking laugh at myself.

Clara panicked, quickly cutting in before I could say a word.

"Of course you're beautiful, Natalie! You are the most stunning bride ever. We have to capture this moment!"

Tyler caught on quickly and raised his camera.

"Yeah, exactly! Everyone, let's get together for a group photo!"

Hearing this, the guests gathered around, holding party poppers.

Clara and Tyler quickly squeezed in next to Ethan and Natalie.

The four of them stood in the front row. It was a perfect, complete picture.

Tyler shoved the camera into my hands.

"Chloe, you're the best photographer here. Take some good shots for us."

The spotlight fell on them.

Natalie leaned her head against Ethan's shoulder, her white gown glowing.

Ethan looked down at her, his eyes filled with pure tenderness.

Everyone crowded around them, congratulating the perfect couple.

It was exactly the wedding I had dreamed of for years.

Someone in the crowd started chanting.

"Kiss her! Kiss her!"

Ethan's ears flushed red. He hesitated for a second.

But Natalie was already on her tiptoes, pressing her lips against his.

My mind went completely blank as cheers erupted around me.

Tyler raised his voice, urging me.

"Chloe, what are you doing? Snap the picture! Capture the most important moment of their lives!"

I raised the camera mechanically.

*Bang!* A party popper went off.

Amidst the falling confetti, I pressed the shutter.

One shot, two shots, a dozen shots.

Amid the rising cheers and screams,

Ethan held Natalie, switching poses for one kiss after another.

Everyone was laughing and smiling.

I was the only one with tears stinging my eyes.

After what felt like an eternity, a timid voice spoke beside me.

"Excuse me, miss. The reception has started. Do you need me to add a seat for you?"

I snapped back to reality and realized the lobby was empty.

Everyone had already taken their seats in the grand hall.

All three hundred seats were filled.

And, as fate would have it, there was no seat for me.

A bitter smile played on my lips.

"No, thank you."

Since there was no room for me, I didn't want it anymore.

This five-person friendship... I was officially done with it.