He Only Realised He Loved Me After I Was Gone

Chapter 2

He followed the voice message with a photo. Bruce sat behind the wheel in the custom suit I'd chosen for him. In the passenger seat was Brenda, my best friend, whom I hadn't seen in 3 years. Her playful black-and-white mini dress somehow looked perfectly coordinated with his black suit. On the center console were her favorite fresh juice and pastries. Surprise flickered through me.

'Bruce actually thought to get those?'

Before I could process it, Brenda called. "Nancy! Your perfect husband really lives up to his reputation. He's amazing! Last time we had a video call, I mentioned that place I like for juice and pastries in passing, and he actually remembered. We're heading to the bridal boutique now. Just meet us there."

I suddenly remembered that Bruce had indeed been beside me throughout that video call, his arm around me. He'd always been gentle and attentive. Of course he might remember what my best friend liked. I didn't give it another thought and immediately turned the car toward the bridal boutique.

When I reached the entrance, I spotted Brenda moving back and forth, choosing a bridesmaid dress. I was about to push open the door when I noticed Bruce standing behind her. As Brenda lifted one skirt after another and looked up for his opinion, he smiled tenderly and offered his thoughts.

The hem on this one was too long. That one suited her better.

He looked exactly as he did when he went shopping with me. Yet today was the first time he'd ever met Brenda. Memory after memory of his tenderness and attention over the past 3 years flashed through my mind. My heart turned cold.

He always picked me up 30 minutes early because he liked to plan his time and had good manners.

He gave me gifts on every special occasion because brands kept sending him things, and he was simply indulging my love of celebrating those moments. That was all. He wasn't good to me because he was madly in love with me. He would have met the same standard with anyone.

I pulled back the foot I'd been about to set inside the boutique.

With trembling hands, I typed a message:

Nancy: Bruce, let's call off the wedding after all.

The panic that had gripped my chest throughout the drive still hadn't faded when I got home. Before Bruce could call, Brenda was already frantic on the phone.

"Nancy, what happened? Why are you suddenly calling off the wedding?! I've checked out that future husband of yours myself. He's a great guy!"

A man who could impress even Brenda was rare. I gave a helpless smile. "He is. But he doesn't love me."

After a long silence, Brenda asked, "Why do you say that?"

"I saw you two at the bridal boutique today."

For some reason, her voice tightened. "What did you see?"

I gave a quiet laugh. "Brenda, he was so good to you the very first time you met. Don't you think he's the kind of man who charms every woman?"

Looking back now, Bruce had been just as good to me the first time we met.

It had started raining outside after our date. My shoes couldn't get wet.

He'd taken off his suit jacket, spread it on the ground, and helped me into the car.

Any woman would have found it hard not to fall for him.

Brenda hesitated. "Maybe it's because... I'm your best friend. Isn't winning over the best friend something every guy does?"

I was quiet for a moment. "The truth is, his statement about those rumors was a lie. There's someone in his heart he can't forget. Even after 3 years with me, he still hasn't gotten over her. I don't want to spend my life living in that woman's shadow."