The Bride He Locked Out

Chapter 4

Olivia stood behind the door.

She was wearing my custom white silk getting-ready robe.

A small word was embroidered on the chest.

Bride.

Her eyes were a little red, but her makeup was flawless, and she had even curled her hair.

She hadn't been sleeping at all.

She had simply been sitting in my bridal suite, wearing my robe.

For 21 full minutes, Daniel had willingly stood guard outside, keeping anyone from disturbing her.

Olivia lowered her head.

"Emma, I'm sorry. Daniel was worried I'd be cold. That's why he gave me the robe."

He offered no explanation.

He took the wedding dress from Mom's arms and shoved it into mine.

"The room's free now. Hurry up and get changed. 2 minutes is plenty."

Mom couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"She hasn't even put on her wedding dress, and you're giving her 2 minutes to get ready to walk in?"

Daniel looked down at his watch, his tone growing more impatient.

"The ceremony's already been delayed. Everyone's waiting for Emma. We've cut the parents' toasts and speeches. She can go straight in through the side door. There's enough time."

Then he told the coordinator, "Have the emcee open the doors. The bride will be there in 2 minutes."

I held the dress without moving.

"Who said I was going in to change?"

His expression turned utterly cold.

"Emma Carter, how much longer are you going to keep this up? The room's free. Olivia's out. Will you only be happy if you keep hundreds of guests waiting downstairs?"

I smiled. "Am I really the one who held up this wedding?"

"What's the point of assigning blame now?"

He lowered his voice.

"You know how much this wedding cost—the hotel, the planning, the vendors, the reception. Both our families' friends and relatives are downstairs. Your parents have spent 5 months getting ready for this. If you really walk out today, they'll be the ones people laugh at."

His mother immediately stepped forward, too.

"Emma, Daniel's already met you halfway. Stop being angry and accept his apology. Go in and get changed, and we can still pretend none of this happened."

At that, I gave a sudden smile.

Daniel visibly relaxed, thinking I had finally given in.

"All right. No more tantrums."

I put the dress back in his arms.

"I'm not changing."

His expression froze.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm calling off the wedding."

An automated countdown played over the walkie-talkie.

"Bride's entrance in 1 minute 15 seconds. Stand by."

Daniel stared at me.

"Emma Carter, think this through. If you leave this hotel today, our 6 years together are over. For good."

He thought that would stop me.

I gave a small nod.

"Okay."

At the end of the hallway, the elevator doors slowly opened.

I linked my arm through Mom's and turned toward the elevator.

Daniel hurried after us, still holding the dress.

"Emma Carter, where are you going?"

"Home."

"The wedding's about to start!"

"Then let it."

He reached out to grab me.

Dad stepped forward and shoved his hand away.

"Don't touch my daughter."

The elevator doors slowly closed.

My last glimpse before they shut was of Daniel standing in the middle of the hallway with my wedding dress in his arms.

Behind him stood Olivia, wearing the robe embroidered with the word "Bride."

They looked more like the two people getting married that day.

Downstairs, the wedding march began right on time.

But from that moment on, the wedding had nothing to do with me.