chapter 3
The next day, Olivia and I went for the final wedding dress fitting.
She spent the entire drive chatting about flowers, the venue, the vows, and the guests. I pretended to care, nodding in the right places, but my mind was elsewhere.
While she admired herself in the mirror, she turned to me and said, “You know, I always thought Jake would end up with someone stronger. Someone who could match his ambition.”
I smoothed a hand over the white fabric of my dress and answered calmly, “Maybe strength is quiet.”
She laughed.
“Or maybe it’s just weakness in disguise.”
I smiled at her through the mirror.
“We’ll find out soon enough, won’t we?”
That night, I lay awake staring at the ceiling.
Two more days.
My stomach hurt again. Stress. Fear. The weight of the secret growing inside me. It all pressed down like a storm cloud ready to break.
At dawn, I texted a cab company to confirm my early-morning pickup for the day of the wedding.
I wasn’t going to let them write my ending.
I would vanish before their eyes.
Let them stand at the altar and realize they had lost the only woman who had ever truly seen them.
Because I was done being the fool in their twisted little game.
The morning before the wedding, I stood in front of the mirror for a long time, brushing my hair in silence.
My reflection looked calm.
Serene, even.
Inside, I was falling apart.
Everything was packed. Passport. Cash. Documents. New phone. Plane ticket confirmed. Medical consultation scheduled. Every piece of my escape arranged down to the minute.
When I went downstairs, I found Ethan in the kitchen, humming softly as if it were any ordinary day. Olivia had stayed over again. She came down the stairs wearing one of Jake’s shirts, smiling like she belonged there.
“Good morning, bride-to-be.”
I gave her a smile just as bright. “Good morning.”
A few minutes later, Jake walked in dressed immaculately, already on a call. He didn’t even glance at me.
I didn’t need to wonder which twin he was.
The cold indifference gave him away.
That was Jake.
He ended the call, turned to Olivia, and brushed a kiss across her cheek before walking to the table.
I saw it.
So did Ethan.
But no one said a word.
I sat down and sipped my tea in silence.
The morning passed in a blur of last-minute wedding details. Then Ethan arrived with a small gift box in his hand.
“For luck,” he said.
I opened it.
Inside was a simple silver pendant, elegant and understated.
He leaned in and lowered his voice. “I picked it out myself. Something to remember me by.”
I lifted my eyes to his.
“I will remember everything, Ethan.”
His smile faltered.
That afternoon, Jake insisted on taking pre-wedding photos.
I didn’t argue.
Let them have their perfect little memories.
I wore white. I stood beside Jake. I smiled for the camera while the photographer snapped picture after picture.
Jake’s hand stayed on my waist the entire time, his grip firm and possessive.
For the camera, he smiled.
When no one was looking, he leaned in and whispered, “Don’t embarrass me tomorrow.”
I tilted my head and whispered back, “You’ll be the one embarrassed.”
His body went still.
Later that evening, Ethan handed me a small envelope.
“Your mother left this with me last year,” he said. “She wanted you to have it before your wedding day.”
I opened it alone in my room.
Inside was a note written in the familiar curve of my mother’s handwriting.
My sweet girl, never mistake silence for weakness. When it’s time, speak. When you do, make sure it’s loud enough to be heard forever.
I folded the letter carefully and placed it in my bag.
That night, Ethan knocked on my door.
I was already in bed, pretending to sleep.
He came in quietly, sat on the edge of the mattress, and touched my arm.
“Rachel… are you nervous?”
I turned to face him slowly. “A little.”
He looked down. “You’ll be gone soon.”
I said nothing.
He corrected himself softly. “I mean… married. Your whole life will change.”
“Yes,” I said. “It will.”
He reached for my hand. “Do you ever wish things had been different?”
I stared at him in the dark.
“Do you?”
His eyes searched mine.
Then he stood.
“Get some rest. Big day tomorrow.”
He left without another word.
And when I was certain the house had gone quiet, I got up, changed into black clothes, grabbed my bag, and slipped out into the dark.