CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

LILY

Earlier That Day

I’m still having difficulty grasping what I learned at my bachelorette party. The conversation with my sister, Violet, keeps running through my head.

Violet and I haven’t been close for a while now. So, when she volunteered to help me with the wedding, I thought things were turning around for me and her. I was so wrong. My dear sister told me she was sleeping with my fiancé, Ted. They have been able to hide this from me and everyone else for over a year. Being a wonderful sister, she couldn’t keep it to herself any longer. I was completely stunned, to say the least.

I acted like nothing was wrong at the party, but I think my mind just couldn’t grasp what she told me. I never suspected they’d be fucking like rabbits every chance they got. My loving sister, what a joke, told me she couldn’t live with herself if she didn’t tell me.

Ted told me he wanted to wait until we got married before having sex. I had been saving myself for him. Now I know why he could hold off. He was having sex with my sister. What a fool I’ve been. I never questioned him, thought he was being romantic. The truth is he didn’t need me because he was with her all this time. What a great sister I have.

Violet, who sat with me during all my wedding dress fittings, who accompanied me and Ted to our cake tasting? She was there through thick and thin and was also sleeping with Ted. I didn’t think she liked him all that much. I guess I was wrong. What a joke.

I’m lying in bed when Mom walks in to get me up for my wedding. I look horrible, but who can blame me?

"I didn’t think you would be up. Did you sleep at all?" She keeps running around my room, picking up my clothes, laying out my things for the day. The wedding dress is at the church. I’m going to get my hair and makeup done here, then change into my dress when I get there.

She stops what she’s doing and looks over at me.

"Dear, you need to get up and get ready. Hair and makeup in an hour. Breakfast first, though, so come on down."

Then out the door she goes. I lie back down on my bed. I can’t go through with this. I’m not marrying Ted today or any other day. I could barely look at Violet last night. I think I might actually kill Ted if I see him. I have to make a plan. I don’t want to hurt my parents. I have to talk to Jenny. She’ll help me. I force myself to put some clothes on. This is going to be so humiliating for my parents, but I hope they can forgive me.

Everyone is in the kitchen chatting away when I arrive. Mom and Dad don’t even notice me. Too busy going over today’s schedule. I don’t bother looking at my sister. I know she’s watching me. Jenny is sitting between us, so I don’t have to look right at her.

I swallow a piece of my muffin and don’t say anything but look over at my mom.

"I’m going to have Jenny drive me to the church this morning after hair and makeup."

Mom stops talking with Dad. Her mind is spinning. I can’t be stuck with Violet in a car. Anyway, I plan on making Jenny my getaway driver.

"That’ll work,” Dad answers. “Violet can drive your grandmother over to the church."

I smile, relieved that the first half of my plan is working. Now I have to pack a bag and have Jenny gather her things. Once we leave this house, we aren’t coming back.

By the time I choke down my muffin, the makeup artist and beautician are here to do their magic. Violet goes first. This will work out perfectly. I wait until Jenny and I are alone in the kitchen.

"After you get your makeup done, pack your bags. We’re out of here."

She almost chokes on her juice when I whisper this to her. She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.

"What do you mean?"

"I’m not getting married. Act natural, don’t let anybody suspect, especially Violet."

"You’re pulling a runaway bride?"

I nod because Dad walks into the room. He comes over to me and kisses my check.

"I’m so proud of you getting married today," he tells me.

"Thanks, Dad." I feel bad for what’s about to happen, but I shudder to think of getting married to that jerk after learning of his betrayal. I know the reason my sister told me. She’s hated me for a couple of years now, and I don’t have a clue as to why. I’ve asked her, but she ignores me. She wanted to hurt me last night, which of course she did. Bitch.

After makeup, I meet Jenny with our bags packed and I’m ready to roll. I leave my engagement ring on the kitchen island. Don’t want it anymore. Walking out the front door of my family home, I feel the weight lifting off my shoulders. I’m not the least bit heartbroken about not getting married. It’s more a relief than anything. Maybe I never truly loved the guy. Thinking about it, I wouldn’t mind if something truly horrible happened to him. Karma’s a bitch. Though, it’s my sister’s betrayal that hurts the most. We may not be close, but there is a line, and she definitely jumped over it.

Once we’re in the car and moving, Jenny asks, "Are you going to tell me why you aren’t getting married today?"

I love Jenny. She’s my ride-or-die best friend.

"Violet informed me last night that she and Ted have been seeing each other."

Jenny jerks the car back onto the road. I should have told her to pull over first. She does now and puts it in Park.

Her mouth is hanging open. She is having a hard time coming up with words. She reminds me of a guppy.

"Your sister and Ted? You’re shitting me, right? How? When? They have been having sex?" She shivers, imagining the two.

I couldn’t agree with her more. How disgusting.

"When did she tell you this?"

"At the bachelorette party. I had a hard time getting through it. Acting normal is difficult when everything has fallen apart." I lean back and close my eyes.

"You have to stay with me until you figure out your next move. We also need to get back at Ted. Really stick it to him.”

I agree with her and already have a plan in mind.

While we’re driving to New York, I check my Twitter feed. It’s already blown up about me ditching my wedding. I’ll give one reply and then turn it off. Sorry everyone, for not showing up. Learned some interesting news about my ex-fiancé and my sister. All questions should be forwarded to them.

I hit Send and turn the phone off. I feel better now.

"We need to go out tonight," Jenny says with a hopeful look.

"I just want to go to bed and forget about today."

"Just a couple of drinks. Please."

I give in. I can’t tell her no. A couple of drinks can’t hurt.