Chapter 4

After hanging up the call, I took a long, ragged breath and sent Liam a message on SnapChat.

Chloe: [Today is the final dress fitting. We booked it a month ago, don't forget.]

About thirty minutes later, Liam sent back a lazy [OK].

We had reserved our slot at the bridal salon a month ago, right after our formal engagement party. Liam had spent the entire afternoon browsing catalogs with me before settling on this boutique.

Back then, he had held my hand and whispered that when he saw me walking toward him in that dress, he’d probably break down in tears.

Looking back now, those promises were as weightless as dust, scattered by the first light breeze.

When I arrived at the boutique, Liam wasn't there yet.

The bridal consultant recognized me immediately and greeted me with a warm smile. "Ms. Hayes! Your custom gown just arrived this morning. Right this way, please."

"I'd like to wait for my fiancé to get here first."

"Of course, take your time."

I sat in the waiting lounge, looking at the display mannequin.

It was breathtaking.

A month ago, I had spent hours flipping through sketches before choosing this exact silhouette. I genuinely believed that the day I put it on, I would be the happiest woman alive.

After half an hour, the boutique’s glass doors swung open.

Liam walked in.

Vanessa was trailing right behind him.

I was taken aback for a second, but rationalized it quickly—Vanessa was supposed to be my maid of honor. It made sense for her to try on her dress too.

"Let's get this over with," Liam muttered, walking straight toward the fitting suites.

The consultant led us into the private VIP suite.

The wedding gown was draped on a central velvet stand, its skirt cascading down like an ocean of white silk.

Vanessa’s eyes lit up the moment she saw it. "Oh my god, it’s gorgeous!"

"Mr. Parker, Ms. Hayes, both the bridal gown and the bridesmaid dress are ready. Shall we have the bride try on the gown first?" the consultant asked cheerfully.

"Sure—" I began.

Before I could take a step, Vanessa was already gliding toward the white gown.

"Hold on," I snapped. "That's the wedding dress. The bridesmaid rack is on the left."

Vanessa turned around, blinking at me as if I were the crazy one. "I know. I'm trying on the wedding dress."

"You're trying on the wedding dress?"

Even the consultant stared at us in utter shock.

I couldn't believe what was coming out of her mouth. "That is *my* wedding dress."

"Well..."

Vanessa tilted her head, putting on her trademark innocent pout. "Right now, *I'm* Liam's girlfriend. If this is a dress rehearsal for his wedding, obviously I should be the one trying it on."

She turned to Liam, tugging his sleeve playfully. "Right, Liam?"

I shifted my eyes to Liam.

His brows pulled together, clearly debating how to smooth this over.

"Liam," I said, cold and clear. "Tell her who is trying on that dress."

Liam shifted uncomfortably, glanced between the two of us, and finally gave Vanessa a quick nod. "Go ahead. Try it on."

In that exact moment, the ground beneath me felt like it dissolved into a sick, twisted nightmare.

"Liam, do you even hear yourself?"

My voice trembled with raw disbelief. "This is *my* wedding dress. For *our* wedding."

"Does it really matter whose dress it is? You and Vanessa have almost the exact same measurements. Having her try it on saves you the hassle," Liam snapped, his patience completely gone. "It looks the same on either of you anyway."

Vanessa flashed me a sickeningly sweet smile. "Chloe, why don't you try on the bridesmaid dress instead? Don't worry, once I put the gown on, I'll let you know if the waist needs altering."

The consultant beside us threw me a look filled with pity and horrified second-hand embarrassment.

"Don't bother."

I drew in a deep, shivering breath, my voice dropping into an eerily calm register. I looked straight at Liam. "The wedding is off. There's no point anymore."