“Augusta, get in the car. I'm heading home to grab some things before Lisa and I leave for our honeymoon.”
“Sis, let's ride home together.”
Lisa leaned across Nolan, calling out to me in that clumsy, broken way she spoke.
I turned my face away, my voice ice-cold.
“My mother had one daughter. I've never had a sister.”
Lisa's eyes went red instantly. She apologized in her stilted, accented way.
“I'm sorry, I didn't know that word is so serious in your culture.”
“I didn't mean it……”
Then came the soft, pitiful sobbing.
Nolan pulled her into his arms immediately, murmuring softly to her.
It took a while before she smiled again, and he stayed patient the entire time.
That kind of patience from him was something I hadn't felt in a very long time.
He turned to me, glaring.
“Augusta, Lisa was being nice enough to offer you a ride. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Since you can't appreciate a kind gesture, you can walk home.”
Before the words had even settled, he floored the gas and the car shot past me.
The tires hit a puddle at the curb and dirty water sprayed across my dress.
The last of the wedding guests stood by the entrance, watching. Enjoying it.
Muddy water and tears ran down my face together.
I stood there for a long time. Then I wiped my face, took out my phone, and sent a message to an unfamiliar number.
“I'm done being Mrs. James. Three days from now, would you be willing to be the one who claims the black suit?”
By the time I got home, Nolan was gone. Off on his honeymoon, probably.
A wedding portrait of him and Lisa had appeared in the living room. I didn't know when he'd put it there.
Even though I'd already made my decision, my breath still caught for a moment.
I looked away, sat down on the couch, and felt my phone buzz with a reply.
“Yes. I'll come pick you up shortly.”
I typed back “okay” and went to pack.
By the time I dragged my suitcase out, the sky had opened up into a downpour.
My phone lit up.
“Sorry, something urgent just came up at the office. I was going to come myself, but I'll have to send my driver instead.”
I glanced at the rain hammering down outside, then looked back at my phone.
“The rain's too heavy. Don't send anyone tonight. Let's just meet at the courthouse in three days.”
The reply came instantly.
“Okay.”
I was pulling my suitcase back toward my room when the front door opened. Nolan walked in with Lisa.
His eyes swept to the suitcase in my hand, sharp with scrutiny.
“Where are you going with that?”
“Nowhere. Just sorting out some clothes I don't wear anymore.”
My face gave nothing away. My voice was flat.
Nolan frowned, about to press further, but Lisa cut in.
“Sis……oh no, sorry, Ms. Pruitt. The rain is very bad today, flight got canceled. My honeymoon with Mr. James is ruined.”
Nolan looked at her with pure indulgence and tapped the tip of her nose.
“Silly. It's not ruined. It's just rescheduled.”
Lisa gave him a sugary smile and fell into his arms.
“Don't make fun of me. I will try harder to learn English.”
I said nothing. I turned around and pulled my suitcase toward the bedroom.
Nolan's voice stopped me.
“Tonight's our wedding night, Lisa and me. We're taking the master bedroom. You can sleep in the guest room.”
My steps faltered. I stopped for two seconds, then said, quietly, “Fine.”
Nolan's brow creased with displeasure. My reaction was too calm, too unlike me. Something felt like it was slipping away from him, and his chest felt empty.
Before he could think too hard about it, Lisa bounced over to me and grabbed my hand：
