I raised my hand before people started asking questions.
“I understand you may have questions. Frankly, I was in my room getting ready to marry the woman I love when I found out from a piece of paper that she no longer wants the same. I haven’t spoken to her because I haven’t seen her. No words can accurately describe how I feel right now. I hope you can find it in you to not give in to the curiosity you may feel or to feed the gossip mill, which I’m sure is already running wild. Whatever Victoria’s reasons for doing this, they are her reasons, and it’ll be up to her to tell her story when and if she wants to. As far as I’m concerned, our relationship is over because that’s what this”—I held up the two pieces of paper with Victoria’s messages—“tells me. Everything else is as much a mystery to you as it is to me.
“Right now, I want to be alone to process what has happened today. I apologize from the bottom of my heart for what has happened. While the wedding is no longer going ahead, there’s no point in wasting a perfectly good party. Please feel free to enjoy the catering and the facilities. The team at the vineyard has been amazing, and I’m sure they will continue to do their best to accommodate you. Please forgive me for not joining you.”
5
RIVER
Itrailed behind Adam, my eyes fixed on his rigid shoulders. The usual carefree warmth in his demeanor had vanished, replaced by an unsettling detachment that sent a chill down my spine.
“Adam, wait up,” I called softly, quickening my pace to catch up. “Are you okay?”
Adam paused at his room door, key card hovering over the lock. He turned around, his eyes uncharacteristically distant. “I’m fine,” he replied, his voice flat. “Just need a minute.”
I hesitated as he swung the door open, torn between giving him space and my instinct to comfort him. Before I could decide, Adam gestured for me to enter.
“Please don’t leave me alone to face the firing squad. Even if their intent is to fire on my behalf and not at me.”
How could Adam be so calm after what just happened? This wasn’t like him at all. I watched as he methodically removed his suit jacket and loosened his tie, movements precise and controlled.
“Adam, you don’t have to pretend with me,” I said gently, leaning against the wall. “It’s okay to be upset.”
His gaze met mine, a flicker of emotion finally breaking through. “I don’t know what I am right now, Riv. It’s like I’m on the outside, watching everything happen to someone else.”
My heart ached at the vulnerability in Adam’s voice. So many times in my life, I’d wished I could just kiss him and take care of him. Make all the hurt go away. But if that little wish had come true, there’s no way he’d be hurting this way. Not on his wedding day. Not ever.
I stepped forward, hand outstretched, when a knock at the door interrupted the moment.
“Adam? Honey, it’s Mom and Dad. Can we come in?”
As Adam had predicted, his parents entered, followed closely by Lex, Emery, Noah, and Lior. The room suddenly felt crowded, filled with concerned faces and hushed voices.
“Oh, honey,” Adam’s mother said, rushing to embrace her son. “We’re so sorry this happened. Are you all right?”
He returned the hug mechanically, his eyes meeting mine over his mother’s shoulder. “I’m okay, Mom. Really.”
Lex stepped forward, placing a hand on Adam’s arm. “We’re all here for you, bro. Whatever you need.”
“Thanks,” he replied, his voice soft. “I appreciate it, all of you.”
As the family crowded around Adam, offering words of comfort and support, I found myself retreating to the corner of the room, watching the scene unfold, feeling both a part of and separate from the family unit.
Whenever his gaze drifted to me, I offered small, reassuring smiles, even as my own emotions churned beneath the surface.
I should have been happier that the wedding was off, but my immediate guilt for the selfish thought made me feel like the worst friend in the world. Today already felt a week long, this morning only a distant memory. One that wouldn’t be erased from my brain anytime soon.
Noah’s voice cut through the conversation, sharp and angry. “We should make her pay for this. I know a guy who?—”
“Noah!” Adam’s father interjected, his tone firm. “That’s not the answer. We’ll handle this the right way.”
“I’m not one to enable Noah’s weird ideas, but Victoria was really mean to Emery when we reconnected, so…” Lex said, putting his arm around Emery’s waist.
Emery shook his head. “It was a while ago, and it doesn’t matter.”
“Baby, she’s hurt two of the people I love the most in the world. She can’t get away with it.”
“Hear me out,” Noah said.
