A Message From My Future Husband Set Him Free—So Did I Chapter 04
On day two, Julian put a document on the kitchen table.
A divorce settlement.
“Skylar said that on the wedding day, she wants me completely to herself.” He wasn’t looking at me, his voice low. “Just for one day. Once it’s over, we’ll remarry right away.”
He slid another document toward me. A notarized postnuptial agreement stating that both parties would voluntarily remarry each other afterward.
“If you don’t believe me, I’ll have them add more clauses.”
I didn’t hesitate. I picked up the pen and signed.
“Don’t bother.”
On day one, the hotel ballroom was decorated all in white.
Skylar stood on the steps in a flowing white gown, the bandages on her arms and hands completely hidden.
She had her arm linked through Julian’s, a sweet smile on her face.
I stood in the crowd, watching silently.
Skylar’s gaze found me through the floral arch. Her eyes were dark with malice.
Suddenly, she looked down at her hand and let out a shriek. “My ring! It’s gone!”
The crowd stirred, people starting to search the floor.
Julian frowned and bent down to check the carpet.
Skylar’s stare fixed on me. A bad feeling crept up my spine.
A moment later, her voice echoed through the ballroom. “Amelia!”
Every guest turned to look at me.
“Could I please borrow your ring? Just for now!”
Her face was a mask of panic, tears threatening to fall. “I’ll only need it for the ceremony. I’ll give it right back.”
Julian followed her gaze to me, then walked over, his voice as gentle as always. “Amelia, just let her borrow it. You never really liked that diamond anyway, right?”
I shook my head, my voice shaking. “Julian, can’t you see she’s doing this on purpose?”
“That’s my ring. You don’t get to make that choice for me.”
His face hardened. “Amelia!”
He grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it felt like he’d crush my bones. “You’re giving her that ring whether you like it or not.”
He started prying my fingers open one by one. I struggled, but it was no use against his grip.
The ring scraped over my knuckle. A searing pain shot up my finger.
I let out a gasp, sweat soaking my clothes instantly.
Blood seeped from the base of my finger, dripping onto the white marble floor.
He let go without a word, turning away with the ring he’d just ripped off, and handed it to Skylar.
The pain hadn’t faded. Five red marks were left on my wrist. I sucked in a breath.
The wedding march started playing in the hall.
Skylar took Julian’s arm and walked toward the flower arch, surrounded by staring eyes.
I stayed where I was, my throat tight as if someone was squeezing it.
A long time passed before I could move again. I turned and walked out of the wedding.
At the harbor, the boat was docked.
As the engine started, the sea wind rushed in. The city grew smaller and smaller, the buildings shrinking to tiny dots.
[Everything around me has changed so much. You kept your promise, didn’t you?]
[Thank you for letting go.]
Looking at the words from Julian, ten years in the future, so happy that I had stepped aside, my eyes blurred with tears.
I told myself, “We’re even now.”
The screen dimmed.
The words in the Notes app slowly faded, until it was blank again.
In that moment, a sudden panic gripped Julian’s heart. He texted Amelia.
[The wedding’s over. Let’s go to the courthouse tomorrow and fix things. Okay?]
[Amelia, where are you?!]