I Was The Spare Seat The Spare Gift And The Spare Bride novel Chapter 01

When my fiancé Liam Hayes bought the wedding jewelry, he still got two pieces and let my sister pick first.

One was a pink diamond necklace he’d bid on across three cities—sky-high price.

The other was a cheap black brooch that came free with the necklace, and it didn’t go with my dress at all.

For the first time, I pointed at the necklace before she could. “This time, can I pick first?”

Liam ruffled my hair. “Naomi’s always been that way—first or nothing. You, on the other hand, don’t really mind. Whatever’s left, you’ll take it.”

I didn’t answer. Something felt hollow.

Twenty years of growing up with Liam, and I was always the one picking up what Naomi left behind.

Every summer, he’d cut watermelon and bring it to her first.

She’d take the middle slice—seedless, reddest, sweetest. Then Liam would push the rind-adjacent, seed-filled piece toward me.

“This one’s ripe too, just not as sweet. You’ll make do.”

When he got a new car, he let her choose her seat first. She took the front passenger—less motion sickness. Then he pointed at the back row for me.

“The back seats are a little tight, but you can pick either one.”

Even love, later. He liked Naomi, but she chose academics and her career instead. Left behind, Liam was a mess, and he turned to me.

In his world, Naomi was always the first choice.

I looked at that black brooch and pushed it forward. “Naomi, take both. I’m not picking.”

I didn’t want to pick leftovers anymore.

***

Liam sighed. “Ella, that freebie isn’t really Naomi’s style.”

I looked him straight in the eye. “Then why’s it fine for me?”

He blinked, then chuckled. “You remember—when you two were kids, people used to say you looked like her little helper, right? Pink’s not your color. Black is safer—keeps you in the background.”

Little maid. We were twins, but I never measured up.

In school, she was always first. I stayed up till my eyes burned and only landed in the middle.

Mom would jab my forehead and sigh.

“Same womb, and you’re this dumb? Fine. One smart one per family is enough.”

I followed Naomi around, carrying her backpack, peeling her apples…Called a maid for ten years. I told Liam more than once I hated that nickname.

He’d always say, “Okay, I won’t say it.” But whenever Naomi was around, those three words slipped out anyway.

I looked at him calmly. “Liam, we’re done.”

He stared, then laughed like he was humoring a child. “Alright, don’t like the brooch? We’ll get you another gift. No need for drama.”

“We’ll go to the mall right now. You pick whatever you want, okay?”

Naomi pushed the pink diamond necklace toward me. “Ella, take mine. You’re about to get married—act like an adult. No tantrums.”

But Liam stopped her. “That one I picked specially for you. It doesn’t suit Ella—it’d be wasted on her.”

So even when he said she could choose, it was still specially for her.

Liam put his arm around my shoulder and steered me out. But the moment we hit the mall’s first floor, Naomi said she wanted to check out a new perfume.

Liam nodded right away. “Then we’ll look with Naomi first. After that we’ll pick your gift. No rush.”

Same old story.

Naomi tested forever at the counter. She liked two and couldn’t decide.

Liam caught her hesitation. “Get both. You pick one to use first, give the other to Ella, and when you want to switch, you can swap with her.”

He paid and handed me one of the bottles. “There. Your gift’s taken care of. Your sister’s got good taste—you should be happy now.”

I didn’t take it.I stared at that perfume bottle and almost laughed. Weren’t we here for me to pick?

“I’m going back to your condo to pack my things. I won’t be coming back.”

Liam’s hand froze midair. For once, he looked serious. “Ella. Don’t.”

That night, he called my parents over.

Mom walked in and jabbed me right in the temple. “Are you out of your mind again, talking about breaking up?”

“What makes you think you deserve Liam? You’re average-looking, slow—if your sister weren’t busy with her career, you think you’d even have a shot?”

My temple throbbed. I’d heard every word so many times. Nothing new. I’m dumb. I’m not pretty. I’m less than Naomi.

Liam stepped in front of me, smiling, playing peacemaker. “Mrs. Sterling and Mr. Sterling, don’t say that. Ella’s the sweetest. She’s not beneath me.”

Mom beamed at him. “See? He’s still defending you. Where are you ever going to find a man like that?”

“If you walk away from this, you’re not my daughter anymore.”

Right. Such a great guy. I should be grateful.

I sniffed. “Okay.”

Everyone relaxed, like a difficult child had finally come around. I went to my room. Called my friend Jade Torres, tears falling silent. “Jade, can I still join you at that ceramics studio?”

Her voice was careful. “Aren’t you getting married? Does your family know you’re coming?”

I stared into the dark night outside and let out a small laugh.

“Hey, Jade—in a week, what if I just bailed on the wedding?”