I looked at her. You keep calling it one mistake because that's easier than admitting what it was. What was it? A decision. Her eyes narrowed.
I made a bad decision. You made it after I told you exactly where I stood. She opened her mouth, but I continued. You knew we were getting married. You knew how I felt about David.
You went anyway. You stayed with him all night. Then you came home and told me you were ready to be my wife. I was trying to make sure I could give you everything. You gave another man something that was supposed to belong inside this marriage.
Her face tightened. That doesn't mean I love him. I never said you did. Then why are you doing this? Because I don't marry women who need another man to confirm they want me.
She stared at me. You're being cruel. No, I'm being clear. She grabbed her purse and threw it onto the couch. So that's it?
3 years just disappear? No, 3 years happened. I'm not pretending they didn't. Then fight for us. I shook my head.
You're asking me to fight for something you were willing to risk. She went quiet. I walked into the bedroom and started packing the few things I needed for the week. I wasn't leaving the house. I wasn't running away.
I simply needed space while we figured out the living arrangement. My phone rang. It was Mike, my closest friend and business partner. You sound busy, he said. I canceled the wedding.
There was silence. Do you need me to come over? Yes, bring the folder with the venue contracts. I want every cancellation fee documented. You're already handling it?
I've made the decision. Now I'm cleaning up the consequences. When I hung up, Lindsey was standing in the doorway. She had heard everything. For the first time that morning, she looked afraid.
Not of losing the wedding, of losing me. Mike arrived an hour later with the wedding folder. I spread the contracts across the dining table while Lindsey sat across from me. She hadn't spoken much since the call. Mike looked at her, then at me.
Do you want me here? Yes. Lindsey crossed her arms. You're treating me like I'm on trial. No, I said.
I'm making sure nothing gets missed. Mike opened the folder. The venue will return most of the deposit. The catering company keeps a cancellation fee. The photographer is willing to transfer the date to another client.
I nodded. Handle whatever can be recovered. Lindsey suddenly said, You don't have to destroy everything. I looked at her. The wedding is canceled.
The contracts are just paperwork. She looked away. Mike continued sorting through the contracts while I opened our shared laptop. I needed to check one of the vendor payments. An email notification appeared in the corner of the screen.
Hotel Harbor View, reservation confirmed. I clicked it. The reservation was in Lindsey's name. Two nights, check-in that evening. I looked at her.