The Bride Who Said No

The night before I was supposed to marry Jake Harrison, I overheard him talking to someone.

“So, you’re really going through with marrying Sarah? You’re just letting go of Emily?”

“She’s… agreeable. Good wife material.”

“Yeah, but for you, it’s anyone but Emily, right? Doesn’t matter who you pick?”

At the wedding, his eyes held a soft gaze as he prepared to slip the ring on my finger.

Suddenly, I took a step back, letting the bouquet fall.

“I’m sorry, Jake. I can’t marry you.”

Later, I took my daughter back to our hometown of Harbor City. There I ran into Jake again.

He stared at my daughter, lost in thought, "Sarah, she's just like you, so lovely, so pretty."

I smiled, a sweet, genuine smile, "Really? I think she's more her father's girl."

1.

The garden was quiet at night, only the sound of crickets breaking the silence. I held a few roses I’d just picked, ready to head back inside, when I overheard voices nearby.

“Jake, are you really going to marry Sarah and just give up on Emily?”

My name made me pause, head up.

On the terrace, two men stood. One was familiar: my fiancé, Jake Harrison. Tomorrow, he would be my husband.

Under the dark blue sky, his arm rested casually on the railing. His handsome face, however, seemed clouded by a deep sadness.

“Sarah’s… agreeable, suitable for a wife,” he said, then flicked his cigarette ash. He smiled at his friend, a sad, distant smile, “You know how it is with Emily.”

“Right, for you, it’s anyone but Emily, isn't it?” his friend sighed, full of pity.

Jake didn’t say anything, just bowed his head, smoking.

The smoke faded, but my vision blurred.

The roses fell, petals scattering on the ground. For the past few years, our relationship had been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, and I’d always been anxious and lost, never sure of the cause.

Now I knew. He was in love with someone else.

I turned, the crimson fabric of my dress swaying on the steps.

Unloved people often retreat quietly.

2.

I gathered the folds of my dress and walked quickly. I nearly crashed into someone as I rounded a corner.

“Oh, I’m sorry…” I began, then straightened when I recognized the man in front of me.

“Sam,” I said.

Sam Harrison wore a dark business suit. His secretary and assistant were just behind him, carrying files.

I saw the files and stopped short. Sam looked like he was heading out of town.

But, tomorrow was my wedding…

“Why the hurry?” Sam asked, his voice calm.

“Oh, no reason.” I looked down, never quite making eye contact.

From the day I was adopted by the Harrisons, I'd always been afraid of this pseudo-brother.

“Wait for me in the car.” Sam dismissed his staff.

They moved away, and he walked a step closer to me.

I recoiled, a natural reaction.

Sam stopped, pushed up his glasses. The night made it hard to read his face, but the way the light bounced off his lenses felt… chilling.

“Are you going away?” I asked.

“Got some business in DC.”

“But… tomorrow’s my wedding.”

I caught his sleev...