Writing Goodbye in My Vows

I thought the guy I was supposed to marry would be suspicious or hesitant when I asked him to speed up the wedding. But to my surprise, he looked more worried that I might back out. His family even said they'd be happy to have the wedding as early as next week, if that was an option.

Mom and Dad asked me for my opinion, clearly nervous. I said yes without even thinking.

The only catch? Time was tight, and we still had a bunch of stuff to get done.

After dinner with Mom and Dad, I headed back to the house that Jared and I had shared for the past three years.

As soon as I unlocked the door and pushed it open, someone jumped out in front of me, blocking the doorway.

"Sir, whatever you need, just say the word and I'll—" Elsie, dressed in a maid outfit with bunny ears, stopped mid-sentence the moment she saw me. Or more accurately, the moment she realized I wasn't the person she'd been expecting.

I stared at the fishnet stockings hugging her legs, and the skirt that was so short that it barely did its job.

She was only eight years younger than me, but the way she radiated raw, unfiltered energy felt like one cruel joke, as if mocking just how dull and lifeless I'd let myself become.

"I'm sorry... Jared asked me to come. If you don't want me here, I'll leave right now." Elsie put on her best innocent face and started backing away, only to trip over a suitcase behind her. Right then, Jared sprang out from behind me, throwing himself over her like a human shield.

Once he'd made sure Elsie was okay, he immediately rounded on me. "Willow! Can't you cut her some slack? Elsie's still young. Why would you come at her like that?"

I watched their little performance with a cold, detached stare. "Young? She's 23, Jared! Who the hell shows up at someone's house dressed like that? She has no sense of decency, no manners, nothing!"

Jared's hand shot out, his palm striking me across the face. "Had enough of your tantrum? Not everyone grew up like you, Willow—well-off, sheltered, with everything handed to you on a silver platter!"