Ten Years of Regret Chapter 01
The wedding got to the ring exchange.
My husband suddenly asked for a five-minute pause.
He turned around and dropped to one knee in front of his first love.
“Ivy, I once promised you I’d propose in front of everyone. So, if there’s a next life, will you marry me?”
Ivy Dawson covered her mouth, nodded, and sobbed as she threw herself into my husband’s arms.
Then she looked at me. “Cora, I know I won’t get to marry Chase in this life. But I hope you’ll take good care of him for me.”
Whispers from the guests buzzed in my ears.
Across from me, the groom was locked in a desperate kiss with someone else.
Everyone waited for the bride to fall apart.
Instead, I walked toward Ivy with a smile and shoved my bridal bouquet into her hands.
“Why wouldn’t you get a chance? Since you can’t let go of this rotten apple, I’ll give him to you. Right now.”
***
For ten years, I’d bent over backward.
I’d groveled to Chase Montgomery’s family, desperate for their approval.
In the end, it was the baby in my belly that finally got me this long-overdue wedding.
I thought once we were married, once I gave birth, Chase would settle down.
But now, I’m watching the man who was supposed to vow forever to me kiss someone else like his life depended on it.
Digging my half-inch acrylic nails into my palms until they nearly drew blood, my heart still hurt so much I couldn’t breathe.
And suddenly, I didn’t want to take it anymore.
Because of what I said, Ivy clutched her chest and collapsed into Chase’s arms.
He didn’t hesitate. He carried her out, rushing to the hospital.
Even on his way out, he called me “vicious” and “petty.”
Said it would’ve taken five minutes to fix, but I had to make a scene.
His parents and mine couldn’t stop him.
So I got to shoulder the rest of the anger.
The officiant stood there with his notes, looking at me awkwardly.
My mother was mortified. She cried and hit me, telling me to go chase Chase back.
My father let out a cold snort. “You’re on your own.” Then he yanked my mother away.
Chase’s mother had always looked down on me. Now she scolded me in an icy voice, called me an ungrateful hick.
She warned me, if I wanted to marry into a family like theirs, I needed to swallow my pride, not embarrass my husband in public.
For the first time in ten years, I realized that you can’t buy someone’s heart with your own.
I didn’t want to be Mrs. Montgomery anymore.
They took the remaining guests and left.
Told me to walk back by myself and think hard about my behavior.
I stood at the entrance, holding up my white wedding gown with both hands, watching everyone disappear into the distance.
Behind me, the silent, empty hotel.
Ahead, a sudden, torrential downpour.
After Chase’s parents and the crowd drove off, my own parents pulled up in front of me.
My mother rolled down the window. Seeing them, all the pain I’d been holding back hit me at once. My lashes trembled. Tears spilled down my cheeks.
In a hoarse voice, I said, “Mom.” I reached for the door handle. Then I heard the click of locks.
I stared at them in disbelief.
My mother shook her head, furious and disappointed.
“I told you not to do this. Now listen to Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery. Go reflect, and figure out how to win Chase back. You’re carrying their child. That Ivy girl can’t outrank you no matter what.”
“Mom, how can you say that…”
She didn’t answer. Rolled up the window, and the car drove away.
I bit my lip so hard it almost bled. Watching those taillights fade into the rain, the tears wouldn’t stop.