I Was The Spare Seat The Spare Gift And The Spare Bride novel Chapter 02
Jade couldn’t believe it.In her eyes, I was the good girl—obedient, quiet, never fought back. A runaway bride? No way.
But if I wasn’t good, nobody loved me. All my life, Naomi shone bright and everyone ran toward her. I stood on tiptoes, and only by being sweet and agreeable did Liam and my parents even glance my way.
I didn’t want to be good anymore.
The next day, Liam took me to see the house renovation. I headed for the passenger seat, but he pulled me back. “Silly girl—that’s Naomi’s spot.”
Naomi walked in right then, and Liam opened the door for her. “Naomi’s thinking of buying too—she’ll come with us.”
I got in the back without a word. “Okay.”
At the small standalone house, Naomi’s eyes lit up when she saw the master bedroom. “This light is perfect—and the humidity’s right for my lab cultures!”
Liam stood beside her. “If you like it, this room’s yours whenever you want it. I’ll have my best designer redo it for you.”
I stood in the doorway. Liam had never cared about this house—location, renovation, nothing. He always said, “A house is just a place to live.”
But now he and Naomi stood at the window, planning how to design it together. Like real newlyweds.
Naomi turned and grinned at me. “Ella, you mind if I take this room?”
I looked at Liam. “You know this was supposed to be our master bedroom, right?”
He looked at me, calm. “It’s just a word. It’s not like it’s temperature-controlled or something. Just pick another room.”
I loosened my grip on my palm. “We’re family. Stay wherever you want.”
Liam patted my head. “That’s my Ella.”
After the house, the custom dress shop called Liam. The three gowns for the wedding were ready.
Naomi hooked her arm through mine like a loving sister. “Ella, let me come along and make sure everything’s perfect.”
She really did act like a caring big sister.But while I was trying on dresses, she got a call and her face fell.
“The dress I had for this big gala fell through—and I can’t find anything last minute…”
Liam scanned the shop. “Pick something here then.”
He didn’t like anything. Then his eyes landed on my rehearsal dinner gown. “Naomi’s fair-skinned—this one suits her. Give her this.”
The salesgirl couldn’t help speaking up. “Sir, Ms. Sterling came here over thirty times for this dress. She even sketched and customized it herself.”
“Besides… who wears a secondhand wedding gown?”
Liam glanced at me, matter-of-fact. In his mind, it wasn’t an issue. Whatever Naomi needed—give it to Naomi.
I pressed my hand to my chest. It didn’t even hurt that much anymore. I took off the gown and handed it to her. “It’s fine. You’ll look gorgeous in it, Naomi.”
Liam looked surprised for a second, then softened. “Ella’s so good. I’ll find you an even better one.”
But his eyes were glued to Naomi in that dress. He knelt down and smoothed every fold of her skirt himself.
I’d dreamed of that once. I’d come to this shop thirty times—he came with me only once. The salesgirl had joked, “Have your fiancé fix your hem—it’s so romantic.”
He hadn’t even looked up. “That’s not romance, it’s fuss. We paid for the service—let the staff do it.”
Now I watched him kneeling at Naomi’s feet, and I finally understood the price of that fantasy.
Everyone had always liked Naomi more. My parents. Liam. But I still couldn’t help loving him.
Because he was the only one who, when my parents grabbed my ears and called me stupid—not like their child—would sneak me a strawberry candy. “Being a little dumb is cute too.”
I buried that love deep. Until he confessed to Naomi, and she said she only wanted her career. He was wrecked. Then he confessed to me. I knew it was out of spite. I said yes anyway.
I loved art, but I stayed as his assistant. I tried to be like Naomi—reading his boring data, his tough materials. But I could never become her, and he’d never love me.
My phone buzzed. “Ceramics studio ready. When are you coming?”
Naomi had already changed out of the gown. Liam grabbed a black dress off the rack and handed it to me. “Ella, just pick one quick. Naomi has things to do—don’t hold her up.”
“This one looks simple and elegant. Good for you.”
Black. Again. My least favorite.
I looked down and typed back. “Wedding day. I told you I’m running.”