Ten Years Wasted Before Spring Chapter 04

For Brynn’s birthday, I gave her the limited-edition handbag she’d been dreaming about.

The very next day, she carried it to “run into” Everett at a cafe, and accidentally caught him in the frame while taking a selfie.

She photographed the three of us at the movies, while their hands met under the armrest.

On the night Everett proposed to me, Brynn posted a long essay about her pain and resentment.

[Tonight I need an answer,] she wrote. [If he loves me too, he shouldn’t let this pass.]

She got her answer.

That night, when she kissed Everett, he didn’t push her away.

They decided on one wild trip before my wedding. Everett told me he had to travel for work for a week.

My stomach twisted.

Work? Client dinners? They had all been excuses for dates.

For seven days, Brynn posted endless videos.

She said she wanted to overwrite every memory Everett and I had made, so that his future would be full of her shadow.

Like a glutton for punishment, I followed every update.

From restaurants to hotels, from boats to mountain trails, the scenery was the same as my memories, but the woman beside him was different.

At first, it felt like a knife to the heart.

Then numbness.

Finally, it became almost absurd.

When the clarity sets in, even hatred feels like a waste of energy.

By three in the morning, I had made my decision.

The wedding had to be canceled.

I picked up my phone and started drafting a mass text to the wedding party and our guests.

Every word hurt.

Ten years of love. Twenty years of friendship.

Gone.

Before I could send it, I called Brynn.

“Celia? Why are you calling this late?” Her voice was light and natural. “You’re about to be the most beautiful bride. You can’t stay up all night.”

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

Maybe she sensed something was wrong, because she immediately softened.

“Celia? Are you okay? Is it pre-wedding nerves?”

“Where’s Everett? Why isn’t he with you? Is he working again and not answering his phone?”

“I swear, that man. If you weren’t marrying him today, I’d call him right now and yell at him for you.”

How ironic.

Not long ago, she had posted that final, heartbreaking update. Now she could comfort me as if nothing had happened.

“It’s nothing,” I finally forced out. “I’m just nervous. I suddenly wanted to hear your voice.”

“You silly girl.” She laughed helplessly. “Relax. Today will be perfect. I promise.”

“All you need to do now is sleep. I’ll take care of everything else.”

Then a low male sound came through the phone.

Everett.

I held back my tears.

“Brynn, is there anything you’re hiding from me?”

The other end went silent for a second.

Then she rushed to cover it.

“What are you talking about, Celia? What’s going on with you?”

“Put me on speaker.”

Brynn hesitated, but she did it.

“Brynn Harlow. Everett Shaw.”

My voice was clear and steady.

“I’m canceling the wedding.”

“I hope the two of you get exactly what you wanted.”