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“This wedding –”
You wouldn’t fucking dare.
“Jude and I –” He looks over at me desperately. As if I might help him.
I shake my head desperately. But it’s already too late. There’s no going back.
“This wedding isn’t real. Our relationship wasn’t real. We’ve – it’s all a sham.”
I want to die. I want to sink into the earth and burst into a million pieces, never to be heard from again. In fact, I wish I’d never been born. Then nobody would have to remember me or worry about me.
Everyone is silent. Until a chair groans. Gram stands, dropping her fan at her side. “What are you saying, Chase?”
“We… pretended. For you Gram.”
Her nostrils flare, ire building. Then, her glare settles on me. “Is this true, Judith?”
I look between Gram and Chase, back and forth for several moments, stuttering, “I – we – it –” Finally, I settle on Chase. “You said you loved me.”
I’ve never seen him look so small. “I do.”
“No, you don’t. Someone who loved me would never do this to me.”
“I know it’s confusing, but –”
“Don’t bother,” I say coldly.
I’m not going to stand here and take this a second longer. This has been enough self-flagellating for one day. “I’m sorry, Gram.” I turn around and look at Caroline. She wouldn’t be able to speak if someone asked, her mouth agape and dumbfounded. “I’m sorry, Caroline.” I pull my skirt up into my hands. “Sorry, everyone.”
I kick off my shoes. And then I run. As fast as I can. I run and I run and I run until I can’t anymore.
My waking dream has soured into a nightmare.
Chapter 16
Chase
Imusthavemissedthe memo that runaway brides suddenly become Olympic sprinters.
When Jude runs off, I’m frozen in my spot. Gram is about to give me hell, everyone is about to turn on me, and I’m about to be the subject of a wrath no man would be able to survive. I’m not saying I don’t deserve it. But it still terrifies me.
“What the hell are you doing?!” Caroline shouts. “Go after her, dumbass!”
I feel a jolt of electric current through my body and I start to run. I don’t even hear people crying out after me. I just run. I follow Jude’s trajectory around the house into the long dirt driveway and –
She’s gone. Nowhere to be seen. I run the entire length of the driveway, beneath the swaying willows. All crying for me.
“Jude! Jude, where –” I slow down to a stop. The world is quiet. Birds chirp. Wind blows. “Jude!!!”
Nothing.
My heart throbs in my chest. Aching for her.
Fuck.
A bit further, I see some fabric on the ground, dancing as if it’s trying to take flight. I walk over to it cautiously. Jude’s veil. I pick it up in my hands. There are pins with strands of red curls in it.
She really did make a beautiful bride.
