Chapter 3

The next morning, I woke up on the couch.

I was covered with Carter’s suit jacket.

I stared at it for a few seconds. Just as I was about to sit up, I heard Sera's voice coming from the kitchen. "Carter, does Chloe hate me? She slept on the couch last night. Was she trying to make me feel guilty?"

Carter’s voice was low. "She’s just stubborn. She’ll get over it in a couple of days."

"Are you going to blame me?"

"No."

"But you used to say you didn't want a noisy home after marriage."

Carter paused. "Chloe is very sensible."

I pulled the jacket off, folded it neatly, and placed it on the armrest.

Sensible.

Always "sensible."

I walked into the kitchen. Sera was holding a cup of warm milk, wearing my pajamas.

She gasped when she saw me, looking startled. "Chloe, I’m so sorry. I didn't bring any clothes last night, and Carter said I could wear yours."

Carter looked at me. "It's just a set of pajamas."

I looked back at him. "Do you know that my mom bought those for me?"

He froze.

My mom didn't know how to shop online. She spent hours in a department store picking those out, saying a girl should wear something comfortable and beautiful after getting married.

I had been saving them.

Sera bit her lip. "Should I take them off and give them back to you now?"

Carter frowned. "Sera."

Then he turned to me. "Chloe, don't be so petty."

I nodded. "Right. I’m the petty one."

Carter clearly didn't like my tone. He reached out to pull my arm. "Go wash up. We're going to try on wedding dresses today."

Sera's eyes lit up, but she quickly looked down. "A wedding dress... that sounds wonderful."

Carter noticed.

He always noticed Sera’s emotions instantly.

Half an hour later at the bridal boutique, the stylist rolled out the wedding dress I had custom-ordered.

Before I could even touch it, Sera whispered, "It’s so beautiful."

Carter looked at her. "Want to try it on?"

My fingers went stiff.

Sera waved her hands quickly. "That’s not right. It’s Chloe's."

But Carter was already speaking to the stylist. "Bring another one in a size S."

I looked at him. "Carter."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sera just wants to see how it looks. Don't overthink everything."

Sera went into the fitting room.

When she came out, even the boutique staff gasped.

She was very thin. Wearing my dress, the waistline hung loose.

Carter stood in front of her, gently adjusting her veil.

His movements were so natural, as if he had done it a thousand times.

The stylist smiled. "Mr. and Mrs. Carter look so perfect together."

The air went dead silent.

Carter didn't correct her.

Sera blushed. "Don't say that. The real bride is over there."

Everyone turned to look at me.

I was sitting in the corner, still clutching the fitting receipt with my name on it.

Carter finally looked back. "Chloe, go ahead and try yours."

I stood up. But before I could walk over, Sera suddenly tripped on the long train of the dress and fell forward.

Carter caught her instantly, his voice tightening. "Are you hurt?"

Sera leaned into his chest. "I think I sprained my ankle."

He picked her up in his arms immediately, turning to me. "Try it on yourself. Send me the pictures."

I watched them walk out.

The stylist asked in a low, awkward voice, "Miss Helen... do you still want to try it on?"

I looked down at the dress another woman had just worn.

Suddenly, I felt completely drained.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from my mom.

*“Chloe, does the dress look beautiful? Mom is waiting for pictures.”*

I stared at the screen for a long time.

Then, I turned it off.