CHAPTER 2 — THE WALK AWAY
The music outside didn’t stop.
It kept playing like nothing had shattered.
Like a lie still believed itself to be true.
Daniel stood in the hallway holding Ellie tightly in his arms. Her small body was still shaking, fingers clutching his suit like she was afraid reality might break again.
Behind them, the wedding world was still alive.
Laughter.
Clinking glasses.
Applause beginning to rise.
Vanessa was waiting at the rose arch.
Waiting for a moment that would never come.
Ryan stepped closer, voice low but urgent.
“Daniel… everyone is outside. You can still—”
Daniel didn’t look at him.
“Look at her.”
Ellie buried her face into his shoulder.
That was enough.
Ryan’s words died instantly.
From the garden, the wedding planner’s voice echoed through a speaker:
“We are ready for the bride and groom.”
A pause.
Then Daniel finally spoke, calm but final.
“No.”
Ryan froze.
“What do you mean, no?”
Daniel adjusted Ellie in his arms, gently brushing her hair back.
“I mean it’s over.”
Outside, Vanessa appeared beneath the rose arch.
Smiling.
Perfect posture.
Perfect dress.
Perfect illusion.
May you like
But Daniel didn’t walk toward her.
For the first time, he walked away.
