Chapter 2My Fiancée’s Secret Boyfriend

"Mr. Moore, is your fiancée unable to make it again today?"

The bridal consultant kept her smile professional, but the implication was clear.

I sat alone in front of the full-length mirror.

This was the second time Natalie had stood me up.

A few employees whispered nearby. They kept their voices low, but I could still hear every word.

"That's him. The illustrator. I have no idea how he managed to get engaged to Ms. Fisher."

"She hasn't shown up once. She hasn't even tried on a wedding dress. I doubt this wedding is actually happening."

I pretended not to hear them.

Once I was inside the fitting room, I pulled out Scott's old phone. Hundreds of unread messages from Natalie filled the screen.

[Why are you ignoring me?

[Did I do something wrong? Just tell me, and I'll fix it.

[Please answer the phone, even just for a second.

[Are you leaving me?

[Please don't leave me.]

At the bottom was a 60-second voice message. I hesitated for a long time before pressing play.

Her voice was choked with tears, and I could hear a car engine idling in the background.

"Scott... Please give me one more chance... I can't live without you... I really can't..."

The same woman who had told me to shut up and accused me of making a big deal out of nothing the night before was now sobbing so hard into another phone that she could barely breathe.

A knock sounded at the fitting-room door.

"Mr. Moore, Ms. Griffin is here."

Valerie Griffin was Natalie's childhood best friend.

I quickly regained my composure, changed out of the suit, and stepped outside.

Valerie sat on the couch with her legs crossed. As soon as she saw me, she pulled a black credit card from her purse and slapped it onto the table.

"Use this to pay the balance. Natalie's busy. She doesn't have time to hold your hand through a suit fitting."

She stood, walked over, and lowered her voice.

"I'm going to be honest with you. You know why Natalie chose you. You're agreeable, low-maintenance, and you never give her any trouble. She's willing to marry you, so be grateful and know your place. Don't expect romance or some great love story. That was never what this was."

I glared at her, anger surging through me.

Valerie didn't flinch.

"Did I hit a nerve?" she asked. "Here's some advice. Natalie's been in a bad mood lately, so don't push her. There are plenty of men who'd be happy to take your place."

She brushed past me, knocking my shoulder hard enough to make me stumble back a step.

"The PIN is her birthday. Pick whatever suit you want, and choose a dress for Natalie while you're at it. You'll only wear them once anyway."

With that, she smoothed her skirt and walked out.

I stood alone in the bridal boutique.

On my phone were my fiancée's desperate pleas to another version of me. On the table sat the black card her best friend had tossed down.

"Mr. Moore, are you happy with the suit?"

"No," I said. "I don't want it anymore."