I was never his first choice

Chapter 4

The living room fell silent for a second.

Then I heard Arthur say, "We won't let you go alone."

There was a knock at my door. Arthur stood outside, his tone coaxing.

"Lydia, Irene might only win an award like this once in her life. It's really important. How about moving our wedding to the evening?"

I almost laughed.

'Isn't our weeding also a once-in-a-lifetime thing?'

I said nothing. His gaze was gentle and sure, as though he already knew my answer.

"Say yes, Lydia. Please? You're always so understanding."

I looked at him and suddenly recalled something from my childhood.

I'd finally won a prize in a singing competition, and I couldn't wait for my parents to come and watch me receive it. They said Irene's painting competition was more important. They had to go and cheer her on.

Arthur had felt sorry for me.

"Don't worry. I'll be there to see you get your award."

But in the end, he'd gone to Irene's painting competition too. I'd stood on the stage alone, looking out at other children's parents and listening to their applause.

All these years later, I was still alone.

"Okay. I don't mind. Let's move the wedding to the evening."

It didn't matter when it was held. The bride wasn't going to be there anyway.

Once they had my agreement, they began to celebrate. Laughter filled the living room, wave after wave.

By the time the celebration ended, Arthur was drunk. Looking into his unfocused eyes, I couldn't help asking, "Arthur, are you looking forward to our wedding?"

He didn't answer. The night breeze blew cold between us.

"Then why did you want to be with me in the first place?"

I knew he was acting out of bitterness over Irene's rejection. But I wanted to hear him say it.

His words came out thick and slurred.

"Someone who's even half like her is the best I could ever hope for. Besides, you're her sister. If I stay with you, I still get to see her sometimes."

The wind stung my eyes. At some point, I'd run out of tears.

The truth was even crueler than I'd imagined.

On the day of the wedding, the whole family was up and busy before dawn. But none of it was for me. Everyone was choosing clothes, doing their makeup, and planning the drive to Irene's awards ceremony.

I came out of my room fully dressed.

"I'm not going to the ceremony. I still have things to do for the wedding."

Arthur didn't look up. He was checking that Irene hadn't forgotten anything.

"Fine. Go on ahead. Don't keep the guests waiting."

I walked out of the house with one small bag and went straight to the airport.

As my ride pulled away, I saw Arthur's car in the rearview mirror. Everyone got in happily and set off for Irene's awards ceremony.

The ceremony lasted 3 hours. By the time it was over, I'd landed in Alderwick.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from Arthur.

Arthur: Lydia, the wedding isn't until tonight anyway. Let's cancel the first look and the family photos. I'll be late. Irene can't really handle all this on her own. Go to the hotel and get ready without me, okay? Be good.

I stared at the message for a long time. Then I blocked him and locked my phone.

Abby came over and hugged me.

"Come on. Let's go."

End of Lydia's POV

Meanwhile, Arthur had finally finished helping Irene, and they rushed to the wedding venue. They arrived to find it in chaos.

A friend caught his arm.

"Didn't you say the bride was coming ahead of you? Why isn't she here yet?"

Arthur froze. The wedding planner finally spotted him and hurried over.

"Mr. Callahan, we've been trying to call the bride, but we can't get through. We haven't been able to reach her."