The Bride Isn’t Me, So I’m Calling Off the Wedding Chapter 01
While we were arranging the venue for our wedding, my fiancé, Jason Miller, sent me out to run an errand.
By the time I returned, the venue had already been decorated exactly the way my best friend, Claire Shaw, liked it.
My phone vibrated. I looked down and saw that someone had started a poll in a group chat called “Who Should Get the Wedding?”
The poll listed me and Claire as the brides.
Everyone cast a vote. To my surprise, all five votes went to Claire—and I didn’t receive a single one.
Among the voters were my father, my mother, my older sister, who had grown up with me, my cousin, and Jason Miller.
With trembling hands, I held out my phone to Jason Miller and asked in a quavering voice,
“Why? I’m the bride.”
Jason Miller irritably rubbed his brow, then pulled me into his arms and sighed as he tried to comfort me.
“Sweetheart, Claire has severe depression. If she saw me marry you, she’d lose her mind.”
“It’s only a wedding. Once she gets better, we’ll have another one.”
My mother also urged me from nearby.
“Sweetheart, you know Claire is the orphaned daughter of one of your father’s old comrades. You wouldn’t want to watch her die, would you?”
“When the time comes, I’ll make the arrangements and give you the grandest wedding imaginable. For now, just let her have this one.”
My eyes reddened as I looked at the wedding venue I had worked so hard to secure.
So all that work I had put in for an entire month had only been to give Claire a wedding.
*****
The venue coordinator handed me the contract.
“Miss, you’ve been the one coordinating everything, and I’ve never seen the groom. He really does listen to you. Are you satisfied with the venue?”
I frowned and had yet to answer when Jason Miller walked over and answered for me.
“It’s pretty good. This venue is hard to book, so reserve it at this level.”
The representative handed me the pen. When he saw me sign my name, Jason Miller visibly relaxed.
“You handle the arrangements. I’m a little tired, so I’m leaving.”
I swallowed my tears, determined not to look so pitiful, and slipped past Jason Miller.
My cousin stood nearby and glanced at Jason Miller with a grin.
“Jason Miller, since my cousin cries so easily, she might make a scene again later. Aren’t you going to go comfort her?”
Jason Miller glanced toward the direction I had gone, his tone flat.
“She makes a fuss like this every time. I’m used to it. Leave her alone.”
My cousin pursed his lips and complained under his breath.
“True. She’s just too much trouble. If it were me, I’d choose Claire, too. After making a scene for a while, she’ll probably come around on her own.”
My older sister chimed in as well.
“Jason Miller, go keep Claire company. A young woman alone in an unfamiliar place must be scared.”
“I think my little sister was spoiled by our parents and can’t stand the slightest hardship. This is a good chance to teach her some patience. You’ll have to be more understanding with her from now on.”
I didn’t stay to hear the rest. I turned and walked away.
Outside, a storm was raging. The cold made my teeth chatter, and the straps of my wedding dress kept sliding off my shoulders.
My phone suddenly lit up. It was a message from Jason Miller.
“It’s chilly outside, and it isn’t safe for you to go home alone. I called a car especially for you and asked the driver to turn on the heat. You won’t be cold on the way back.”
I stared at the screen and suddenly felt utterly exhausted.
I got into the car, but when I remembered the ill-fitting wedding dress I was wearing, I didn’t go home. Instead, I had the driver take me straight to the bridal shop.
At the bridal shop, I went into the fitting room and took off the dress, then stared at it for a long time.
When I was twenty, Jason Miller took me to a bridal shop on Valentine’s Day to pick out a wedding dress.
I glanced at the price tag and flatly refused.
“It’s too expensive. We can’t afford it right now.”
But Jason Miller would rather take out a loan than let me go without it. He said earnestly,
“Let’s buy it now. That way, you won’t leave me later. Everyone will know you’re my girl.”
“Don’t worry about the money. I’ll make enough to support you someday. You deserve the best.”
Now, I wasn’t even sure I could still wear this dress to my wedding.
Hugging the dress, I gave the sales associate my name. She checked the list, then said awkwardly,
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but your name isn’t listed here.”
I didn’t believe her. I took the list and searched it carefully myself.
At last, I saw Jason Miller’s name.
The note beside it read: Bride—Claire Shaw.
In disbelief, I read the name three times before I finally accepted the truth.
It was absurd beyond belief, and my eyes instantly filled with tears.
No wonder the dress didn’t fit. It hadn’t been made for me at all.
Seeing that something was wrong, the sales associate tactfully said,
“Ma’am, your dress does look like it doesn’t fit, but don’t worry. We offer alteration services.”
I set down the list and shook my head.
“Return the dress. I’m not getting married.”
