Chapter 3

"Val, look at me! Do I look good?"

Catherine had changed into a new gown, and she spun in front of Val, once and then again.

"Beautiful. Cathy's always the most beautiful."

Val was leaning against the arm of the sofa, a smile tugging at his mouth.

I sat by the door, checking my phone and refreshing it again and again.

I'd ordered some antiseptic and gauze. The delivery app showed a courier had accepted it, estimated fifteen minutes.

He wouldn't take me to the hospital, so I'd handle it myself.

"Oh, right."

Catherine stopped suddenly and flicked the train out behind her so it fanned open.

"This train is two meters long. It'd look amazing if two flower girls carried it."

"Cathy, the flower girls had something come up at the last minute. They can't make it," Val said.

"Then what are we supposed to do…"

Catherine pouted, lifting the hem and pacing back and forth, and then her eyes landed on me.

"Sara, come carry my train for me."

Catherine smiled, innocent and bright, clean as a white lotus.

"My foot hurts."

My voice was flat as dead water, without a ripple.

Catherine's eyes went wide, and she tilted her head at me.

"Didn't Val take you to the hospital? Still hurting? You only walked a few steps. Do you really have to be this dramatic?"

Val stood up quickly to soothe her.

"Cathy, Sara's foot really is a problem right now. Let me find two of the staff to help you, all right?"

"I don't want anyone else."

Catherine blinked, all wounded and small.

"I… I just kept thinking, it was always Val going with me to fool around at the bridal shops before. But today's the first time I'm standing at the venue in a wedding gown. I want my best friend here to see all of it…"

She walked up to me, her eyes full of expectation.

"And besides, Sara, your mom can't get around well, she's stuck in a wheelchair. If you don't go in, she has no way to get out on her own."

The air went quiet for two seconds.

Val's mouth opened and closed, and not a single word came out.

"Fine."

"Sara, you—" Something startled flashed through Val's eyes.

I crouched down and gathered up that two-meter train.

The soles of my feet stung again, and blood seeped back through the dried scabs.

"Yay, wonderful!"

Catherine clapped her hands, cheering.

"I knew it. Sara, your foot pain was definitely fake!"

"But I have one condition."

I lifted my eyes to Val.

"When this wedding is over, let's break up."

Val's face turned ugly in an instant.

"Sara, I—"

"Why aren't you two ready yet? We can't push it back any longer, the guests are getting anxious!"

Rudolph came jogging over, a sheen of sweat on his forehead, looking at us urgently.

Catherine gave Val a dazzling smile.

"Val, Sara's just throwing a little tantrum. She'd never actually break up with you. Go on, hurry, don't miss the lucky hour."

Val looked at me, long and hard.

"Sara, once the wedding's over, let's talk it through properly."

After he left, only Catherine and I were left in the corridor.

She took a few steps, then stopped and looked at me.

"Sara, you've been with Val for eight years. It's my turn now. You didn't really think I was that stupid, did you?"

Catherine's ambition was naked in her eyes, laid bare in front of me without the slightest cover.

The doors swung slowly open, and the officiant's booming voice drifted to my ears.

"Sure. He's yours."

Either way, out of every choice Val ever made, I was always the last one.

So I wouldn't choose him either.