lovesickness

Three years ago, he sneered at me in front of our friends, "You're so lovesick, it's pathetic. I was just playing around." I was devastated, so distracted that I fell and hurt my leg on the way home.

Years later, I handed out invitations at our class reunion. "I'm getting married, hope to see you all there." When I got to him, he flicked the invitation away with a smirk. "Who gave you the permission to marry someone else?" Little did he know, the groom-to-be was sitting right across from me, calmly observing the whole scene.

1.

"I can't believe Sarah Mitchell is the first one getting married."

"She used to be so sweet, too bad she got dumped. Someone's willing to marry her, that's good enough."

I clutched the invitation, ignoring the whispers. "I'm getting married next month. You're all invited." Ethan Carter, my first love, now a hotshot entrepreneur, kept his icy gaze fixed on me.

I walked over to him and with all the courage I could muster, I looked him in the eye. "Ethan, I hope you can make it."

Ethan remained silent for a long moment. Everyone held their breath, staring at us. Our breakup had been pretty dramatic. He publicly humiliated me, calling me desperate, and I was so upset I’d fallen down some steps and injured my leg. I had to leave town for treatment.

Lisa Benson, sitting beside him, smiled and said, "Sarah, is your leg all better now?"

I hesitated, then answered vaguely, "It still aches when it rains..." Truth was, it was worse than that. The injury had affected my knee joint. Lisa then put her arm around Ethan, a triumphant smile on her face. "Sorry about that, Sarah. Let me apologize on Ethan’s behalf."

"On... his behalf?" I tightened my grip on the invitation.

"Didn't anyone tell you? We're getting married," Lisa giggled, covering her mouth. "I'm a lucky girl."

I held the invitation, utterly speechless. Lisa… my best friend. How could she…?

"Well, that’s all in the past now, Sarah. Give him the invitation," others chimed in, trying to smooth things over.

Ethan suddenly reached out and swatted the invitation away, laughing. "Who gave you the permission to marry someone else?"

The room went silent. Even Lisa's face paled.

My mind went blank. "Why can't I get married?" I asked. Hadn't I endured enough ridicule and humiliation over the years?

Ethan gave a cruel smile. "Dogs I've discarded aren't allowed to find new owners. Do you think you’re an exception?"

"Ethan." A calm voice came from the head of the table. In the silence, it was especially clear.

Daniel Reed lifted his gaze. "Enough," he said, his tone indifferent. Two words. Final. No one dared to argue with him. He was way more successful than Ethan. Back in school, he’d been the untouchable, aloof genius. Now, he was the kind of person you only saw on TV or in business magazines.

Ethan, who was surprisingly friendly with him, backed down. He snatched the invitation from my hand and opened it. His expression changed. "Daniel, what a coincidence! Her fiancé'...