My Fiancé's 'Girl' Gave Me a Buzzcut. I Gave Her a Subpoena for Their Wedding. novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Cade probably doesn't even remember anymore.

HE was the one who chased me. HE confessed first.

We met on some setup date. Started talking and realized we were into the same stuff.

Cade had that clean-cut look, talked smooth—hard not to fall for that.

So we started dating. Simple.

He'd text me good morning and good night every damn day.

When I was on my period, he'd bring me hot ginger tea without me asking.

Every holiday he'd show up with these crazy expensive flower arrangements.

Back then, I thought I was the luckiest girl alive.

Until we started planning the wedding, Harper came back from studying abroad.

That's when Cade, who was always so calm and put-together, turned into a completely different person.

All that sweetness he used to give me? He gave it to Harper instead.

He stopped texting me about his day—too busy staying up all night with Harper hiking to catch sunrises.

When I was sick with a 103 fever, he was off at some concert with Harper.

He even forgot my birthday. Too busy helping Harper's dog give birth.

Left me sitting alone at this fancy restaurant in downtown Portland like an idiot.

Starting that day, I never got flowers from Cade again.

'Cause Harper's allergic to pollen.

"Harper's gonna get all hurt and jealous if she knows. I don't wanna make her feel bad!"

This shit went on for six months. Same fight, over and over.

Cade always said: "Harper's like a sister to me. Someone's gotta watch out for her. Why are you being so jealous?"

"I literally tell you everything about her. That should prove there's nothing between us!"

Even though I was his fiancée, I was always the one getting ditched.

I finally woke the fuck up.

You can't hide love. And you sure as hell can't hide when it's not there.

Cade... maybe he never actually loved me.

And me? Desperately believing we had a future? Just a sad fucking joke.

Harper put on this sad little face and said she wanted to "really apologize."

"Vera, I swear I wasn't trying to make you look bad. What if I cut mine too? That'd make it fair, right?"

Her eyes went all shiny with tears, looking so genuine it almost seemed real.

I smiled. "Sure. I'm waiting."

Harper's face completely froze.

"Just... please don't fight with Cade over me... I'll do whatever you want..."

Tears pooled in her eyes.

But those scissors in her hand? Didn't move an inch.

Her sad little act broke Cade's heart instantly.

He glared at me like I was his worst enemy: "Vera, you got a problem? Fucking come at me!"

"Harper's like my sister—we literally grew up together. You're really gonna humiliate her just 'cause you're jealous?"

My chest ached.

Of course. Harper was always gonna be his favorite.

I smiled all bitter and got up to leave.

Behind me, Cade's angry voice cut through: "It's just HAIR! You wanna leave? Then GO! No one's putting up with your shit anymore!"

He forgot.

Before I started dating Cade, I always had short hair.

HE was the one who said, "I wanna see you with long hair when you marry me."

So I got extensions. Took care of them for months. Wanted to look perfect on our wedding day.

Now it was all ruined.

Happy laughter floated out through the door.

I should've been crying. Breaking down. Spiraling.

Like all those times before when Cade's coldness left me shaking so hard I couldn't breathe.

But right now? I felt nothing. Not even sad.

I wiped my face. No tears. None.

I was finally free from this toxic-ass relationship.

Pulled out my phone to call an Uber.

That's when I saw a message from my mentor—once again trying to convince me to join the national field research team.

Truth is, I got this offer a year ago.

Just turned it down.

'Cause joining meant three years minimum traveling around, and I couldn't stand leaving Cade.

When my mentor found out, he was pissed: "Guys don't appreciate it when you give up your career for them. They just think you're a pushover! Vera, you're gonna regret this!"

Back then I was so sure I made the right call.

Believed in Cade's love. Just wanted a normal, happy life with him.

Turns out my mentor was right. Got my face slapped hard.

So this time? I wasn't gonna fuck it up again.

When my mentor heard I'd agreed to join the research crew, he immediately sent over all the forms.

Even called to remind me to rush everything.

"Team leaves in two weeks. You gonna be ready?"

I smiled: "I got this."

Two weeks?

Plenty of time to call off a wedding.