“You couldn’t get David, so you wanted me to
ruin his wedding. I’m not like you. Ashley’s
always loved me!”
Ignoring Sarah’s wide eyes, he stumbled
towards me, reaching out.
“Ashley, I regret it. Please don’t marry him,
okay?”
“I’ll give you anything you want! I promise I’ll
never see Sarah again. You proposed to me
99 times, now it’s my turn, okay?”
He knelt down, looking up at me pleadingly.
“Ashley, marry me. We’ve known each other
for so long, I’m the one who understands you
best!”
“You’ve only known David for a short time.
Don’t ruin your life just to spite me!”
He frantically patted his pockets, finding them
empty, then yelled at his friends.
“Go buy me flowers, a ring! Can’t you see I’m
proposing?”
<
proposiny?
I said softly,
“Josh, don’t bother.”
“Have you forgotten that you were supposed
to be marrying me today? You’re the one who
tricked me here.”
He shook his head, confused.
“That was a misunderstanding, Ashley, let me
explain…”
I waved my hand dismissively.
“There’s no need. Haven’t you mocked me
and trampled on my dignity enough all these
years?”
“I followed you around like a dog, and even
they looked down on me.”
I pointed to his friends, who all looked down
sheepishly.
“You only ever saw Sarah. When did you ever
notice me behind you?”
“Now that I’ve finally woken up and I don’t
want to wag my tall тor you anymore, you
regret it?”
“It’s too late.”
I called a waiter, took two glasses of wine,
and handed one to Josh.
“Drink this. Consider it your congratulations
on my wedding.”
Josh pushed it away, spilling the wine.
“I won’t drink it! I won’t accept this!”
Sarah cried, trying to pull him up.
“Stop it! Don’t embarrass yourself! She’s
already married!”
Josh didn’t look up, pushing her away roughly.
“Get lost!”
Sarah ran off crying, but Josh seemed
oblivious.
David snapped,
“Josh, are you done? This is our wedding. I’ve
been patient, but if you don’t stop, I’ll have
you removed!”
ם
<
Josh sat on the floor, as if he hadn’t heard,
still murmuring,
“Ashley, you’re mine. You can’t marry
someone else.”
“You’re mine, mine…”
I turned to leave, but he suddenly seemed to
snap out of it, crawling over and grabbing my
dress.
“Ashley, don’t go! Don’t leave me!”
“I really know I was wrong!”
He slapped himself repeatedly.
“It’s all my fault. I’m trash, I’m worthless!”
“At first, I did hate you, blamed you, thought
you were the reason I didn’t have a dad. But
then I realized it wasn’t your fault at all.”
“But I got used to you always being there for
- me. I chased after Sarah because I was sure
you’d never leave me!”
“I’m a horrible person…
11
Josh broke down, sobbing.
く
I crouched down, prying his fingers off my
dress, my voice indifferent.
“I accept your apology.”
“But not all apologies can be forgiven. I’m
married now. I hope you won’t bother me
again.”
I took David’s arm.
“Honey, we still have so many tables to toast. Let’s go.”
David squeezed my hand, and I met his gaze,
feeling a sense of peace.
Josh remained on the floor, unwilling to leave.
His friends helped him up.
“Come on, Josh. Ashley’s gone. Forget about
her. There are other fish in the sea.”
He struggled, yelling,
“Let go of me!”
“Don’t f***ing touch me!”
“Ashley, Ashley, look back at me! I’ll wait for
you forever!”
く
I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.
Catching sight of David adjusting his tie, I sat
up abruptly, avoiding his gaze.
“I’m so sorry, David. Our wedding was such a
mess.”
It was our wedding, but it was ruined by
another man. Anyone would be upset.
“If you regret it, I understand completely. I
won’t blame you…‘
He cut me off with a kiss.
After a long kiss, I finally recovered from the
lack of oxygen, meeting his loving gaze.
“I waited so long to finally catch you. You’re
not getting away.”
