From Now On, We Part Ways Forever

Chapter 3

On Saturday afternoon, Mia was at art class, so I went to a bridal boutique on my own.

The moment I walked in, a sales associate greeted me.

"Is there a particular style you'd like to try?"

I looked around and pointed to the dress hanging farthest inside.

"That one."

"You have a great eye. It's the last one we have."

I carried the wedding dress into the fitting room. Just as I pulled the curtain shut, I heard Isabelle's voice near the entrance.

"Ethan, this is the place. My friend said their dresses look amazing in photos. You promised you'd take pictures with me."

My hands froze.

Their footsteps came closer.

Then Isabelle spoke again, right outside the curtain.

"Oh, where's the one I looked at before?"

The sales associate replied, "That young lady just took it into the fitting room."

"It's the same one you liked last time. Unfortunately, we only have one left."

Someone lightly touched the curtain from the other side.

"Dani?"

Isabelle sounded delighted.

"Is that you?"

I pulled the curtain open.

Ethan was standing behind Isabelle. When he saw me, his expression shifted for only a second before returning to normal.

"What a coincidence," Isabelle said with a smile. "You're shopping for a wedding dress too? By yourself?"

"Yeah."

"Where's your fiancé? Why isn't he here with you?"

She looked down at the dress in my hands, and her eyes lit up.

"I liked this one too. I tried it on last time. It fit me perfectly."

The sales associate said quietly, "We only have one."

"Oh."

Isabelle turned to Ethan and pressed her lips together. Then she looked back at me.

"Dani, let me have it."

I stared at her.

"You haven't even set a date yet, and I have a photo shoot later today." Her tone was light, almost careless. "Why can't you let me have this one? You don't need it yet."

"I need it for my wedding."

"But you haven't even set a date, have you?"

She tilted her head, looking completely innocent.

"Let me wear this one for the shoot, and you can come back and choose another. Okay?"

I didn't answer.

She waited for 2 seconds. When I still didn't give in, the smile on her face faded.

Then she glanced at Ethan.

Ethan walked over and pulled the wedding dress right out of my hands.

My fingers closed on empty air.

Without hesitation, he handed it to the sales associate.

"We'll take it."

"Ethan."

He turned back to me.

"Izzy likes this one. Let her have it."

"I picked it first."

"So what if you did?"

He frowned and lowered his voice.

"You haven't even set a date. What's the rush? Izzy needs it today. Why are you fighting her over it?"

"It's the dress I picked for my wedding, and you're saying I'm fighting her over it?"

"Danielle, don't make a scene here."

He pulled me aside.

"It's just a dress. If you want another one, I'll buy it for you later. But this one goes to Izzy. She's finally feeling better. Don't spoil her mood."

Isabelle stood nearby while the sales associate rang up the wedding dress. Her smile returned.

"Thanks, Dani. You're so sweet."

She paused, then added, "It's not like you need it anyway."

Ethan said nothing.

I stood there and watched Isabelle change into the wedding dress.

She took out her phone and snapped a picture with Ethan. They leaned in together to look at the screen, smiling.

My phone buzzed.

Isabelle had posted on i********:.

In the photo, she wore the wedding dress and leaned against Ethan's shoulder. He had turned toward her with a tender smile.

My phone rang almost immediately afterward.

"Mom, I saw a picture on Grace's phone. Are Dad and Godmother taking wedding photos?"

"No."

My voice sounded strained.

"They're just taking photos for fun."

"Then when is Dad going to take wedding photos with you?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came.

"Mom?"

"Soon."