“There isn’t an easy way to say it.”
“Just tell me.”
Priya hesitated.
“Two weeks ago, Adam called the venue asking about cancellation refunds.”
I frowned.
“Maybe he was checking prices. He does that.”
Neither Priya nor my mother said anything.
The silence felt wrong.
Then Priya spoke again.
“Last Saturday, he came to the venue with another woman.”
The room tilted.
“No.”
“He showed her around,” Priya continued gently. “He talked about future plans. The way he spoke, Kate… it did not sound like a man getting married in eight weeks.”
My chest tightened until breathing hurt.
The invitations were still stacked on our dining table.
The honeymoon was booked.
My dress was hanging in a garment bag.
Our engagement photo was still on my nightstand.
“Are you sure?” I whispered.
Priya’s silence answered me.
Mom reached across the table.
“There’s something else,” she said. “Adam’s sister mentioned at dinner a few weeks ago that he was ‘keeping his options open.’ At the time, I thought it was strange. Now it sounds different.”
I closed my eyes.
Every cruel sigh.
Every rolled eye.
Every slammed door.
Every moment I blamed myself.
All of it rearranged itself.
He had not been overwhelmed.
He had been done.
And instead of being honest, he had punished me for needing him.
“What do I do?” I whispered.
Mom squeezed my hand.
“First, you stop blaming yourself.”
Two days later, I returned to the apartment.
Adam was sprawled on the couch with his headset around his neck and a controller in his hand.
“You’re back early,” he said.
“I figured I’d save you the trouble.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“What trouble?”
“The trouble of pretending.”
He laughed.
“You’re being paranoid.”
“Am I?”
“The broken leg is messing with your head.”
I stared at him.
“Priya told me about the venue.”
His smile disappeared.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“She told me about the cancellation refunds.”
His jaw tightened.
“And the woman.”
Something ugly flashed across his face.
“So what? You’re going to make a scene?”
“I don’t have to.”
“Kate…”
“Your sister already did that for you.”
For the first time, Adam looked nervous.
I slipped the engagement ring off my finger.
My hand shook.
Not because I was unsure.
Because I never imagined I would have to do it.
I placed the ring on the coffee table.
“The wedding is off.”
