Chapter 3

The next day was the final wedding rehearsal.

I specifically called the bridal boutique, requesting Chloe attend.

In the hotel's bridal suite, I saw her for the second time.

The first time was at the boutique. She was just one of the assistants in the background. I only remembered her pale skin.

This time, in the hotel, as my fiancé's mistress.

Knowing she was meeting me, she'd dressed up.

Overly curly hair, a makeup attempt at innocence that missed the mark, and a top that left little to the imagination.

But what caught my eye was the gold necklace around her neck.

Not expensive, but the exact style Benjamin had promised to buy me.

A week ago, I'd found the receipt in his pocket.

Benjamin had been holding me close, but seeing her, his grip tightened painfully on my shoulder.

"You must be Chloe?"

I pushed him away and greeted her myself.

"I'm Benjamin's fiancée. He mentioned you have great experience wearing gowns, so I asked for you specifically."

"Hope that's not a problem?"

The girl looked nervous, shrinking back, saying it was fine.

But her eyes kept darting past me to Benjamin, laden with a secret understanding.

He caught her look and pulled me aside, his voice tight.

"Elaine, stop this. I said the wrong thing yesterday. Don't drag innocent people into it."

Chloe paled, playing the scared victim perfectly.

"M-Miss Reed, I'm just an employee. I don't know anything."

Oh, she knew nothing.

Feeling the ache in my shoulder from Benjamin's grip, I gave a light laugh.

"You've both misunderstood. I just want the wedding to be perfect."

I excused myself to use the restroom and left the suite.

Chloe threw down the veil she was holding and flung herself into Benjamin's arms.

"Ben, you scared me! Did I do okay?"

Benjamin chuckled lowly, tilting her chin up.

"You were perfect, Chloe."

"But next time, maybe avoid Elaine? If she finds out... I couldn't handle the fallout."

Chloe bit her lip, pouting.

"Fine."

She tugged at her neckline, revealing lace.

"Ben, tomorrow you're getting married... love me one more time! Just like last night... Wearing Miss Reed's gown... it was so exciting..."

Their intimate whispers, captured perfectly by the discreet camera I'd planted, were all recorded.

I remembered the first snow senior year, him holding my hand walking under the trees.

He'd said:

"Elaine, I'll always be with you."

I remembered the proposal. He was so nervous he dropped to both knees, making me laugh.

And the first gown fitting.

Out of twenty styles, he only liked the strapless one.

Said I'd be the most beautiful bride in the world wearing it.

The sweeter the memory, the deeper the wound.

Fine.

I told myself.

It ends tomorrow. At our wedding.