I Was The Spare Seat The Spare Gift And The Spare Bride novel Chapter 07
Liam stood in front-thinner than I remembered. His gaze moved from the flowers in my hands to Owen, then back to me.
Behind him, my parents. Mom’s face was tight, lips pressed thin. Dad frowned, silent.
The air went dead quiet.
Mom spoke first. “Ella! Running out on your wedding day-do you have any idea how that makes Liam.
look? How it makes our family look?”
Liam’s voice was low. “Who is this?”
I didn’t answer. Mom jumped in. “So there’s another guy? That’s why you took off? You’re not exactly smart, but I didn’t think you’d stoop this low.”
I stood there, still holding the roses. Owen glanced at me, then at them, and said calmly, “I’ll go check on
Miles in the back. Call me if you need anything.”
Liam’s eyes stayed locked on me. “Ella. Come home with me. We’ll talk.”
“You disappear without a word-how is that something we can’t work out?”
I looked up at him and laughed. “Liam.”
“Last time I said we’re done, you didn’t believe me. Now I’m telling you again-we’re over.”
His face stiffened. He opened his mouth, searching for words, then his voice came out rough. “You don’t want me and you don’t want your parents either?”
I looked at him, then at the parents behind him, and the question felt absurd. “Liam-the ones who never wanted me were you. Not me.”
Mom frowned. “What nonsense are you talking about?”
I turned to her. My voice wasn’t loud, but every word cut clear.
“In elementary school, when I finally made the honor roll, I came home so excited-you glanced at my report card and said, ‘Only honor roll? Your sister has never missed the principal’s list.”
“In my whole life, have you ever bought me a single brand-new outfit? No-you stuffed my closet with Naomi’s hand-me-downs, the ones she didn’t want.”
“One time I wore one of hér old jackets to school, and the kids called me her little charity case.”
My voice started to shake, but I didn’t stop. “I tried. I tried so hard to be as good as Naomi. But in your eyes, there’s only one star child-Naomi,”
“So fine. Pretend you never had me.”
The yard was silent except for the low hum of the potter’s wheel.
Mom paused for a few seconds, then spoke-lower, but still certain. “It’s normal to give more attention to the better kid. Your sister is just better than you-are we supposed to pretend we don’t see it?”
I took a breath and turned back to Liam. “Liam. Do you feel the same way?”
He looked at me, his lips moving, but no direct answer. “I looked for you for so long-do you know how this past month has been for me-”
“That’s not what I asked.” I cut him off. “I asked if you also think I’m less than her, and that’s why I deserve leftovers.”
Liam said nothing.
I smiled, turned, and put the flowers in a vase without looking back. “Look around if you want. I’ve got work.”
I walked into my studio and closed the door. I dipped my fingers in clay and started throwing again.
Muffled voices outside-I couldn’t make out the words.
A moment later, the door opened. Naomi walked in. “Ella. Finally beat me at something, huh? Feel good?”