Chapter 2Forever Goodbye

Josh froze in place and stared over at Charlotte, a short distance away, in absolute shock. His voice trembled as he spoke.

"You told him? Today of all days? It's your wedding day! Why couldn't you just wait?!

"Dean, listen to me, please! It was an accident!"

An accident?

Was it an accident that every time Charlotte stormed out after an argument, his phone magically went straight to voicemail? Was it an accident that she knew the layout of his apartment better than I did?

Even the dog Josh raised was closer to her than anyone else.

Maybe I should have seen it sooner. I just chose to blind myself because I was dealing with the two people I loved most in this world.

"Josh, you piece of sh*t!"

Rage completely eclipsed my logic. Before I even realized what I was doing, my palm landed flat across his face with a crack.

Charlotte lunged forward instantly and shoved me back.

"Dean! Are you crazy?!" She stood right in front of Josh, shielding him while glaring at me with utter disgust.

"Look, we messed up, okay? But do you have any idea how much Josh has given up for you over the years?!

"Every time we went out to eat, he only ordered what you liked. Even when he was sick, he still dragged himself out to play video games with you!

He swallowed his own pain for five damn years just to spare your feelings! So what if you let him have this one?"

Charlotte's screaming sent my mind into a tailspin, a sharp ringing blaring in my ears.

She and I had been together for eight years, and they had been sleeping together for five of them.

All these years, they were hooking up right under my nose. And after every single hookup, they would act like nothing happened and gladly accept my affection.

How hilarious.

My mom caught up right then, overhearing every single word. Her eyes went wide, filled with complete disbelief.

It wasn't even that long ago when Charlotte had practically promised Mom, swearing she'd treat me well for the rest of her life, sticking by my side through rich or poor.

To prove her devotion, she had even transferred all her pre-marital assets to me and put only my name on the house deed.

Yet now, her eyes were cold and distant. All she cared about was Josh.

Josh, whom Mom had watched grow up and treated like her own son, had just personally shattered my happiness.

"Josh! How could you do this to Dean?!"

Mom was so overwhelmed with rage that her eyes rolled back, and she passed out, collapsing straight onto the pavement.

Josh tried to step forward, but I snapped. "Get away from us!"

Inside the ambulance, my hands wouldn't stop shaking as I clutched Mom's hand. My vision blurred through the tears, my words slurring together.

"Mom... I'm calling off the wedding... Please, just be okay..."