It was my best friend's birthday,but my fiance had prepared a surprise proposal.
He knelt down on one knee and placed my engagement ring on her finger.
My best friend,Jessica Allen,playfully scolded,"Come on,Luke.You dare give me your engagement ring?Aren't you afraid Kath will be jealous?"
My boyfriend,Luke Cameron,rose to his feet with a fond smile on his face.
"Kath always listens to you since she was a kid.As her favourite person,if you’re not satisfied,she definitely won't agree."
Jessica nodded in satisfaction."You’re right.So if you want to marry her,you have to win my approval first.”
“Anyway,everything looks fine here,but the roses have to go.They're too ordinary for a wedding.Replace them with gardenias.”
Hearing her suggestion,Luke immediately pulled out his phone and called the wedding planning company.
Those roses were actually chosen by me.
Yet because Jessica disliked them,he was ready to change all the wedding flowers without even asking what I thought.
The whole thing felt ridiculous.
Thinking about this,I felt a bit absurd and couldn't help but frown and say,"But I chose the roses,Luke."
Only then did Luke seem to notice I was there.
"But Jessica has good taste,Kath.Remember I promised to give you a perfect wedding.So there can't be any mistakes,okay?"
As soon as he finished speaking,the photographer pushed them together.
“The couple,please stand in the center for a group photo!”
Their friends immediately gathered around them,laughing and teasing.
Luke took off his suit jacket and draped it over Jessica's shoulders.
"Don't wear such revealing clothes next time."
Jessica shouted at me,"You heard that,Kath?Your Luke is such an old-fashioned guy!I'm not even his girlfriend,but he tried to control what I should wear!"
I gave no response.
Because ever since I started dating Luke,scenes like this had happened again and again.
Each time,I convinced myself it didn't matter.
But this time,I didn't want to pretend I didn't care anymore.
——
"Cheese!"The shutter clicked,the photo captured.
The photo came out quickly,and the photographer handed it to Luke,unable to resist praising,"You two look perfect together!Wishing you a long and happy marriage!"
Luke accepted the photo and smiled,but he didn't correct his words.
The group immediately crowded around to look.Some discussed where everyone should stand for the wedding photos,while others suggested changes to the venue decorations.
Everyone eagerly shared their opinions,and every suggestion was accepted.
But no one seemed to notice that I wasn't in the photo.No one even bothered to ask me,as the bride,what I wanted.
I looked at my so-called wedding,from the venue to the cake and desserts…everything was Jessica's favorite.
Ridiculous.
"Katherine,what do you think?"
Someone finally noticed something was wrong and looked at me.
Luke waved his hand and smiled."Don't ask her.She's always indecisive.She listens to whatever Jessica says."
My heart felt like it had been ripped open.As the cold wind rushing in,the pain making me unable to straighten up.
Indecisive?
For the past eighteen years,from our friendship days of playing together to our dating,shopping,and choosing a wedding home…every decision,big or small,required Jessica's approval to be considered acceptable.
Luke never listened to my needs,never even considered my opinions.
And now he said I was indecisive?
Jessica raised an eyebrow,punching him in the chest."Of course,Kath trusts me the most."
Jessica was my only childhood friend.The person I trusted more than anyone outside my family.
Years ago,when her father brought his mistress home and she was locked in a storage room,I had stood outside with a fruit knife in my hand.
I swore that if anyone in her family hurt her,I would fight them no matter the cost.
But now,she was the one who had betrayed me.
As she spoke,she casually wrapped an arm around my shoulders.The scent of her gardenia perfume mixed with the familiar scent on Luke's clothes.
My heart suddenly sank.
For months,I had thought Luke had changed his cologne.
Now I understood.
It wasn't a new fragrance.
It was their scent together.
If they both belonged to each other already,then I didn't want my best friend or my fiancéanymore.
I stepped back and gently removed Jessica's arm.
"Whatever you like,Jess."
After all,I wouldn't marry Luke.
Without another word,I turned and walked away.
Just as I got home,my phone rang.
It was Luke.
His annoyed voice came through.
"Kath,why did you leave without saying anything?Everyone's still here.You knew there was a party afterward."
"I only put the ring on Jessica's finger as a joke.Did you really have to get upset over that?"
"Hurry back.The ring will be yours soon enough.Don't make Jessica feel bad."
He showed no remorse whatsoever.Every word made it sound like I was the problem.
I laughed bitterly.
"Luke,I don't want the ring anymore."
Then I hung up and started packing.
I suddenly realized that nothing in this house belonged to the two of us.
There were only three identical water glasses,toothbrushes lined up side by side.Even there was no single photo of Luke and me together,except for photos of the three of us.
And of course,his photos with Jessica.
I lowered my head and smiled bitterly,taking all my belongings.
Not long after,a message popped up on my phone.
I opened it.It was a video Jessica had posted in a group chat.
In the dimly lit,lively private room,she was intimately leaning against Luke's shoulder,her arm wrapped around him.Her smile was bright and victorious.
The camera swayed slightly towards the two of them,and Jessica spoke sweetly into the lens,"Kath,I've been watching Luke for you all night.I didn't let him look at a single other girl."
"See?Nothing to worry about."
Luke glanced at the camera and smiled.
"Jess,with you monitoring me,how could I dare betray Katherine!"
The moment he said that,the friends around them burst into laughter and started teasing him.
“Luke is completely wrapped around Katherine’s finger!Every time we hang out without her,he sends her videos to report everything.”
“Seriously,Katherine is the only person who can keep him in line.”
Suddenly,Jessica grabbed the phone and pointed the camera at the faint red mark on her neck.
"Kath,your Luke is such a dog!He bit me so hard when I lost a truth or dare game.Remember to teach him a lesson for me,okay?"
"Hey,Jess,I didn't bite hard at all!"
The camera shakily captured the bickering and arguing,making me feel nauseous.
I couldn't stand it anymore.
Then I opened my email and replied to the overseas university that had accepted my application.
