Nine Weddings Fled I Left Him First

Chapter 3

The moment those words landed, I didn't look at Julian again.

I turned, lifted my skirt, and walked off the stage.

Behind me, the room exploded. Mrs. Hayes's voice cut through the hall.

"Clara Quinn. Both families sent out invitations. Who exactly are you trying to slap in the face?"

I didn't stop.

Julian caught up to me in two strides.

He grabbed my wrist hard, hard enough to make me suck in a breath. His hand was shaking.

"Have you had enough?" He kept his voice low, teeth clenched. But his eyes had gone red.

"Delete the post. Come back on stage with me. Clara, don't push me. You know I can't lose you."

I looked down at the red marks on my wrist. Then at his hand, still gripping mine.

That hand had just been holding Nadia's bag. Wiping her tears. Shielding her from every stare in the room.

"Julian, the day the ninth one fell apart, I told you. If the tenth didn't work out, I was done with you."

His grip loosened. Then tightened again.

"Clara, I was wrong. The ring is yours. The wedding is yours. Anything you want, I'll give it to you. Just don't look at me like that."

I placed the wedding ring into his palm.

His knuckles went white. He reached out on instinct to stop me. In the end, he just closed his hand around the ring and stood there. Wordless.

"Right now, I'm not making a scene."

Nadia rushed over, eyes red. "Clara, don't do this. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come. I shouldn't have lost the earrings. I shouldn't..."

She choked. Couldn't finish. Her body swayed like she was about to faint.

Julian reached out instinctively and caught her arm.

"See? You've been chosen again."

He froze.

My phone buzzed. Not a message. A call. A name lit up the screen. I didn't answer. I hung up and sent a message.

Clara: Don't be late.

Tessa leaned in, sweating. "Clara, who did you even find? Is he reliable? Eight minutes left."

"Reliable." I paused. "He said in ten minutes."

Her eyes went wide. "Ten minutes? From where? A plane? A rocket?"

I didn't answer. My gaze swept the banquet hall entrance. Empty.

Julian seemed to catch something. He took the microphone from the host, his voice a little hoarse. "Everyone, don't worry. The ceremony will proceed as planned. It will start on time in fifteen minutes."

A few scattered murmurs of agreement from the crowd.

"I told you. How could Clara Quinn really change grooms?"

"Seven years. Can she really leave Julian Hayes?"

"You scared me. I thought we were in for a show."

The groomsmen came back to life.

"Clara, stop messing around. Your makeup is ruined."

"Exactly. Julian already lowered his head. Give him a way out."

"Who would actually dare to crash a wedding today?"

One groomsman even shouted at the door. "Anyone out there? If not, we're starting."

The room burst into laughter.

Nadia stood beside Julian, wiping her eyes. But the corners of her lips curled higher.

"Julian, maybe I should head back first. Don't let it be because of me..."

"No need." Julian patted her shoulder and gestured for her to sit.

I watched all of it. Watched Julian "announce" the continuation of the ceremony for me.

I checked my phone. Eight minutes left.