Jacob still hadn't come back.
I didn't call.
The only updates came from Wendy—random videos—each one oozing smug energy.
Them playing house didn't faze me. I just kept moving with the wedding prep.
Only difference? The groom's name on the invites wasn't Jacob anymore. It was Seth.
Didn't take long for the calls to start.
"Nina, did you mess up the groom's name?"
"Nope," I said coolly. "Groom's changed. Seth Stratford. Childhood friend."
That threw them even more.
"You and Jacob... had a fight?"
Their voices were careful, confused.
I got it. I'd never hidden how hard I fell for Jacob. Everyone knew I'd bend over backwards for him.
But Jacob—the one being loved—never looked back.
Or maybe he did. Maybe he just didn't care.
Cold. Distant. Always that untouchable golden boy, standing on his pedestal while I broke myself trying to get close.
I didn't explain. Just smiled and said nothing.
My friends relaxed, started cracking jokes, like it was just some goofy couple drama.
Nobody really thought I'd walk away from the guy I'd chased for three years.
Couldn't blame them.
Even I felt weirdly numb saying I'd swapped grooms.
Didn't think letting go would feel this easy.
But maybe that was a win.
No one would run off and tell Jacob.
And it gave me time to get everything locked in.
***
About a week later, Jacob showed up looking wrecked—like sleep hadn't been a thing for days. Faint shadows clung under his eyes.
I caught the love bite on his neck, then looked away fast.
"Rough week?" I asked, flat.
He didn't answer. Just swapped his shoes and dropped beside me, face blank.
I turned to him. "You good?"
"Yeah. Let's call off the wedding. Dr. Lynn just died. I'm not in the right headspace." He paused, guilt flickering in his eyes. "Sorry, Nina..."
I stared at him, confused.
Sorry for what?
For trashing the one thing I'd been dreaming about for years? Or for hooking up with someone else while still engaged to me?
Didn't matter anymore.
"Okay. My condolences."
Jacob looked at me like I'd grown a second head. Brows tight, eyes searching—like he couldn't figure out why I wasn't blowing up. Maybe 'cause I already had. Back when I found out he wanted a kid with Wendy.
He didn't sit in it long.
"Dr. Lynn's funeral's today. Come with me."
That tone? Definitely not a question.
I didn't say no.
That so-called mentor? The guy who thought it was totally normal to ask someone else's fiancé to get his daughter pregnant. Still, now that he was gone, I wasn't mad.
Honestly? I was kind of thankful.
He'd pulled the mask off everyone.
