Chapter 3: The Truth Unravels

After that, neither Caleb nor I mentioned that night again.

Nor did we talk about postponing the wedding.

He just became more and more silent. Even when picking out wedding dresses, he didn’t seem to care at all.

I’d text him pictures of lace and silk, ask if he liked A-line or mermaid, and he’d just type back “Looks fine.” Every message was like talking to a brick wall.

He was often busy until midnight. When I messaged him, he’d reply after a long time: “Busy.”

I’d watch the three dots bubble on my phone screen, hoping for more, but they always vanished. I started sleeping with the TV on just for company.

He didn’t come home for Mrs. Young’s birthday, either.

Everyone laughed and tried to smooth things over, but deep down, we all knew—this was Caleb’s way of showing his resentment toward his mom.

The dinner table felt emptier than usual. Even the cake seemed less sweet. I caught Mrs. Young staring at the door, pretending not to care, but her hands fidgeted in her lap.

I ignored the growing unease in my heart, pretended nothing was wrong, forced myself to practice smiling.

Until, one day a few weeks later, I woke up to find him staring blankly at his phone.

"Why aren’t you sleeping?"

I tried to sit up, but he quickly put his phone away.

"Go to sleep."

But in that split second, I saw the photo on his screen.

It was a picture of seventeen-year-old Caleb and seventeen-year-old Lillian, together.

The image was faded but unmistakable. Lillian’s laugh, his hand at her waist—like a snapshot from another life I’d never been part of.

I turned my back to him, feeling as if I’d fallen into an ice cave.

I remembered, years ago, his childhood friend’s contemptuous sneer: "So what if he’s with you? You’ll never compare to Lillian."

He dragged out the last word: "Fat pig."

I could still hear the snickers echoing down the high school hallway, see the way people stared as if I didn’t belong.

Back then, what was I thinking? I thought, as long as I kept going, Caleb would one day fall for me.

He’d love me eventually.

But now, the truth was right in front of me.

My heart felt like it was being pricked by needles.

So he never forgot Lillian.

All the strength I’d been pretending to have these days collapsed in an instant.

Suddenly, I didn’t want to get married anymore.

I wanted to break up with Caleb.