Second Chance Vows

As I heard Dad's tired voice on the other end of the line, something tightened in my chest.

I remembered the way he'd looked last time—cuffed and shoved into the back of a squad car.

My fists clenched.

"This time," I said firmly, "don't partner with the Young family."

He sounded confused, but I insisted. And in the end, he agreed, "Alright. Whatever you say."

I finally let out a breath.

By the time I hung up, the car had pulled up in front of the bridal shop. I got out and helped Grace out of the car. We walked in together.

The moment we stepped into the store, I spotted Connor. He was standing in front of a display, his eyes glued to a sleek designer suit, practically drooling over it.

"If Caleb wore this suit," he said dreamily, "he'd look amazing, huh?"

Madison stood beside him. At his words, her brow twitched. "Don't mention his name. He's lost his mind. Honestly, though, Connor, you'd look better in it than he ever would."

Connor gave an awkward little laugh. "Really? I mean, it's just… this suit's way too expensive. I'm not good enough for it."

Madison's eyes softened as she looked at him. "Don't say that. If you like it, we'll buy it. Right now."

She pulled out her card, ready to swipe, and then she turned and locked eyes with me.

"Caleb? What the hell are you doing here?"

She pulled her hand back quickly, the credit card vanishing from sight. Her gaze flicked to the woman beside me, and her face instantly twisted.

"You brought her to a bridal shop? Are you seriously going through with marrying that blind girl?"

I looked past her, calm, unfazed, my attention on the wedding dresses. "Who I marry is my business. It has nothing to do with you. And I'd appreciate it if you showed a little respect to my fiancée."

I handed a gown to Grace. "Go ahead and try this one."

She took it carefully and, with a store assistant's help, stepped into the fitting room.

Madison was fuming. "Caleb, this morning I was joking when I said you should marry her. You really can't take a joke anymore?"

A joke?

Every word hit me like a brick to the chest.

Suddenly, I was back in school when I was the quiet one, the kid no one talked to. The bullies had carved filthy words into my desk with knife and poured freezing water on my head in winter.

I'd reported it to the teacher, timidly, but they had just laughed and shrugged it off.

"We were just messing with him. Who knew he'd take it so seriously?"

Everyone laughed, except Madison.

When she found out, she stormed into my class and chewed them all out. I'd never forget the way she grabbed the ringleader by the collar and shouted, "A joke only counts when both people are laughing! If Caleb isn't laughing, then it's not a joke! And if anyone lays a hand on him again, I'll make sure they regret it!"

Alas, now ten years later, she'd forgotten everything she once stood for. She stood across from me now, just like those people, and said the same kind of heartless words.

I looked down, tamping down the sting in my chest.

I'd let it go, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt. Not when the past used to be so good.

"Madison," I said flatly, "you've aged, but apparently your brain hasn't kept up. Let me say it one last time: the engagement's off. I'm marrying her."

Just then, Grace came out of the fitting room in the dress. The gown fit like it had been made for her. Every fold and hem fell perfectly. She was breathtaking.

Connor rolled his eyes and snorted. "She can play dress-up all she wants. She's still ugly."

Well, I thought she looked incredible. Until now, I hadn't paid attention to her looks. Even without her sight, there was no hiding her beauty.

I stepped forward and gently straightened the hem of her gown. "You look amazing. Should we go with this one?"

Connor jumped in, all righteous indignation. "Come on, bro. Everyone in our circle knows you're head over heels for Madison. You're just doing this whole show to get under her skin, right? A little game of hard-to-get is fine, but you're pushing it too far. Madison might actually believe you."

Madison let out a bitter laugh, her eyes full of hurt and fury. "Caleb, how can you stand there and be that close with another woman in front of me? I'm your fiancée!"