What Bloomed After Goodbye

It wasn't anything new. Just Caleb leaning on the same excuse that always worked.

My family? His free pass to do whatever he wanted.

Deep down, he really believed he was above me. Like marrying me was him settling.

Only now did it click. This whole thing was never equal. It should've ended a long time ago.

I took a breath, swallowing the lump in my throat, and nodded.

"You're right." My voice came out calm—too calm. "With a family like mine, I'm not worthy of you, Caleb. So yeah... 'Mrs. Gorman'? I'll pass. Give it to whoever you think fits better."

A flicker of panic crossed Caleb's eyes. "Mira, that's not what I meant—"

He didn't get to finish.

Holly stood, walked straight over.

White strapless gown. Full skirt. Flawless makeup. She looked like a second bride.

She stopped between us, fake surprise all over her face.

"Mira, you're not seriously mad over something this small, are you?"

I glanced at her. Said nothing.

She rolled her eyes, annoyed. "Why are you so petty? It's just a few photos. That's how we joke. Keep this up, Caleb's friends won't like you."

She paused, then raised her voice on purpose.

"Besides, Caleb and I grew up together. We even slept naked next to each other as kids. Don't tell me you're jealous of that too?"

The room started buzzing.

Caleb's face darkened.

Disgust hit. I stepped around her, ready to leave.

Holly slid in front of me, blocking me hard. "You can't leave. As Caleb's best bro, I'm not letting you walk out like this. If you leave, what does that do to his image?"

I let out a short laugh.

"When you played those kissing pics and smiled, calling yourself his 'wife number two,' did you think about his image then?"

Her face went pale. She shut up.

A second later, like she had nothing left to lose, she planted herself in front of me.

"I don't care! You're finishing this wedding today. If not, you're not leaving this place!"

The anger I'd been holding snapped.

"Move!"

She froze.

Then Caleb stepped in, pulling Holly behind him. The look he gave me—pure blame.

"Mira, if you're mad, take it out on me. Don't make it hard for her!"

I slowly lifted my eyes to him.

"Make it hard for her? Caleb Gorman, open your eyes. From start to finish, who's been making it hard for whom?"

I ripped off the diamond ring we were about to exchange and hurled it at their feet.

It hit the floor with a sharp crack.

I looked at them, voice steady. "You care about each other that much? Then you two can finish the wedding."

Caleb's brows pulled tight. "Stop being ridiculous!"

Holly scoffed, all attitude. "If my existence bothers you that much, fine. I'll cut Caleb off. As long as you finish the wedding, I swear I'll never show up in front of you again. That should make you feel better, right?"