Chapter 3Walked Away Before Saying I Do

Charles frowned.

"It's just a gift. Do you really have to read that much into it? Beth was trying to be nice. Her intentions matter more than what direction the birds are facing."

Charles had always been stubborn and overly literal. Back in high school, he once argued so relentlessly during a debate tournament that his opponent ended up in tears.

Now, with the evidence right in front of him, he still accused me of reading too much into it just so he could defend Bethany.

This wasn't the first time.

Before Eva took the SAT, her school held a fall bonfire for seniors and their families.

Everyone was writing down their hopes for the future and tossing the notes into the flames. Bethany decided that wasn't meaningful enough. She pulled the bracelet off Charles's wrist and threw it into the fire, claiming that a wish only counted if you were willing to sacrifice something you loved.

It was one of the matching bracelets Charles and I had bought on our first anniversary.

We had picked them out at a small jewelry store during a trip to a ski town. On our way home that same day, an avalanche swept across the road and buried us beneath the snow.

Charles was dangerously close to hypothermia, but he kept me pressed against his chest and shielded me with his body.

By the time rescuers reached us, he was barely conscious, yet he was still whispering that he loved me.

After that, the bracelet that had survived the avalanche with us felt like a part of me.

Whenever Charles and I fought, the bracelet seemed to burn against my wrist. It always took me back to that winter and reminded me of everything good he had once done for me.

I thought it meant just as much to him. And yet, he dismissed it as though it had never mattered.

"It was just a cheap bracelet. Beth was just trying to make her wish count. I'll replace it with something better. There's no reason to turn this into a whole thing."

This time, I didn't even have the energy to argue.

"I think we should break…"

Before I could finish, his phone rang. He answered it and walked toward the balcony.

Eva's excited voice carried through the quiet room.

"Charles, where are you? Why aren't you here yet? Just between us, Beth looks really hot tonight. If you don't hurry, some guy's gonna swoop in!"

Charles glanced at me instinctively and frowned. "Cut it out."

But he was already reaching for his jacket and car keys.

"Beth planned a party to celebrate Eva's SAT score. She really wants me there." He paused before adding, "Don't make it into something it's not. A few of my friends will be there too. You know all of them."

But there was no way not to read into it.

Bethany had used Eva as an excuse to organize more get-togethers than I could count.

Whenever Eva raised her score on a practice test, earned the highest grade in a subject, or even got her wisdom teeth removed, Bethany found some reason to celebrate.

Charles hated socializing and always said it drained him. Whenever I asked him to have dinner with my friends or coworkers, he could never be bothered to come.

Yet he never missed one of Bethany's ridiculous parties.

I had always trusted him, so I chose to ignore it.

This time, I stopped him.

"I'm coming with you."

I wanted to see for myself why everyone was so obsessed with the idea of my fiancé and his ex getting back together.

I could treat it as the final chapter of our five-year relationship.

Charles froze, clearly surprised that I volunteered. But after our earlier argument, he didn't try to stop me.

When we arrived at the bar, Bethany and Eva were sitting in the middle of the group.

Bethany wore a backless burgundy dress. The moment she saw me, she greeted me as casually as if we were close friends.

"Oh, hey, Julia! Eva was just messing around earlier. Don't take her seriously. She made it sound like I'm still obsessed with Charles."

Charles led me to an open seat, then immediately started trading sarcastic remarks with Bethany.

A few minutes later, Eva suggested a game of Truth or Dare. She was young, outgoing, and good at getting people to go along with her, so everyone quickly agreed.

Bethany ended up with a dare. Her challenge was to answer two questions honestly.

Eva glanced at me, then flashed a mischievous grin.

"First question. What's your favorite thing about Charles?"

Bethany answered without hesitation, "The little crescent-shaped birthmark low on his left hip. It turns pink when you kiss him there long enough."