Skipped At The Altar, Taken By His Uncle novel Chapter 1

We Had Time But Used It Wro

Chapter 1 Calling Off The Engagement

Whitney Moore sent a message with a smile: [Honey, I just landed. See you at City Hall in half an hour.]

Today was the day she and Carter Harris were finally getting their marriage licenses.

From their college romance to their engagement, and now, getting their marriage licenses, it had been exactly five years.

Whitney leaned back in the seat, the morning sunlight casting a warm glow on her radiant face, giving her an extra touch of gentleness.

The driver caught her smile in the rearview mirror and joked, “Wow, you just landed, and you’re already rushing straight to City Hall?”

“Yeah, Valentine’s Day. You know, I made the appointment two weeks ago,” Whitney replied with a smile.

The driver chuckled. “Young folks really know how to make things special. My daughter couldn’t snag a spot for today, so she’s getting hers tomorrow instead.”

“Congrats,” Whitney said.

“Same to you,” the driver replied.

But even after Whitney got out of the cab, she still hadn’t heard back from Carter.

Pouting, she dialed his number.

The phone rang for ages before he finally picked up.

Carter’s voice was flat, giving nothing away. “Yeah? What’s up?”

Whitney’s grip tightened on her phone as she asked, “Carter, where are you? I’m already at City Hall. We will—”

Carter cut her off. “Whit, I can’t come right now.”

She swallowed hard. “What happened? Didn’t we agree to get our marriage license today?”

“Yeah, something came up. Let’s just do it another day, okay? Any day works. It’s not a big deal,” Carter said.

Yet to Whitney, it was a big deal. She had made the appointment two weeks ago and had been expecting this very day ever since.

A girl’s voice rang out. “Carter, are you on the phone? Everyone’s waiting downstairs for us to join them for breakfast.”

Whitney’s heart dropped. That was Emily’s voice.

Emily Miller was the girl whom the Harris family adopted eighteen years ago. Whitney wondered, ‘Is Emily back to the country?’

Her fingers turned white as she gripped her phone, but before she could even ask anything, the call was abruptly hung up.

”He told me he was too tired and went to bed early last night, but was he actually spending the whole night with another woman?’ Whitney thought bitterly.

Not long after, a text message popped up on her phone.

Emily: [Whitney, was that you on the phone with Carter just now? I just got back. Carter threw me a welcome party yesterday. I drank too much and didn’t go home. Please don’t get the wrong idea. Would you join us for breakfast?]

It felt like a heavy weight was crushing Whitney’s chest, and she could barely breathe.

She replied: [Just send me the address. I’m coming over now.]

*****

Standing outside the private room at Sunrise Bites, Whitney could hear the chatter of familiar voices drifting out.

“Carter, isn’t today the big day you and Whitney are supposed to get your marriage license?” someone teased.

“Yeah, I heard Whitney snagged an appointment half a month ago just so she could lock down Carter today,” another person said.

Someone piped up, “Wait, what’s so special about today anyway?”

“You forgot? Valentine’s Day,” someone replied.

“Tsk, Carter doesn’t even love her. Everyone knows the only one in his heart is Emily,” someone sneered.

Emily ducked her head, putting on a bashful act. “Come on, don’t say that. Carter is just my brother.”

Whitney stood frozen outside the door, her face pale as a sheet. She was desperate to hear how the man she cared about most would respond.

The door to the private room was cracked open just a little.

She stayed silent, peeking through that tiny gap. Inside, Carter was sprawled lazily in his chair, his arm resting across the back of Emily’s seat.

“It’s fine. You can sit there. I’m not here for breakfast,” Whitney said.

Carter’s voice dropped, sounding a bit annoyed. “Whitney, what are you doing here? Didn’t we agree to get our marriage license another day?”

Whitney replied with a mocking smile, “Forget it. I’m calling it off.”

“Huh? What did you say?” Carter frowned, not quite catching her words.

Whitney took a deep breath, flashed a calm smile, and said, “I’m calling it off.

“You said Emily is the most important to you. Let’s call off the engagement. You can be with whoever you want.”

Carter froze for a moment, completely caught off guard.

His eyes narrowed as he demanded, “What did you just say?”

“Since she’s the one you care about, why don’t you take my appointment and get the marriage license with her? Consider it my gift to you guys,” Whitney said in an icy tone.

As soon as she finished, Whitney flung the tightly gripped paper onto the floor.

“Whitney,” Carter warned, his voice low and tense. “Emily just got back. Can’t we talk about this in private?”

Someone scoffed, “No way she’s really calling it off. Everyone knows she’s crazy about Carter. If Carter’s grandpa hadn’t objected, she wouldn’t even get a chance to show off here.”

Emily felt smug, but she put on a flustered face. “Whitney, don’t listen to their nonsense. Carter is just my brother!”

Whitney had heard that excuse more times than she could count.

”Seriously, what kind of brother gives up getting his marriage license just for his sister’s welcome party?’ Whitney thought bitterly.

Whitney let out a scornful laugh. “Wow, that’s so sweet. Are you sure he’s just your brother, not your secret lover?”

Carter’s face darkened with anger. “Enough. Whitney, apologize to Emily now.”

Whitney raised her fist, her voice icy and firm. “I swear I’ll never marry Carter Harris. If I ever go back on this, may Carter be cursed to never have kids.”