She Said Yes, I Said Bye

Danny claimed he'd been up all night gaming and needed to crash, tugging me toward the bedroom.

I might've believed him—if it weren't for the lipstick stain on his collarbone.

"What's the meaning of this? Are you trying to disgust me on purpose? Where are our wedding photos?" Danny's voice was sharp, furious, his bloodshot eyes locked on the empty wall.

"They're gone."

He froze, his body stiffening for a beat before his hands started to shake. "I'm exhausted. Why do you always have to make everything a scene?

"Fine, I was wrong, okay? I'll apologize. Just... put the pictures back.

"I don't care about her. I was only helping Mia finish her wish list."

For a while, I'd believed that too.

Cooking her cream soup when her stomach hurt.

Spending an entire blackout cuddled up with her.

Taking her to the amusement park I'd always wanted to visit.

Even tagging along to a lingerie store and helping her pick out bras.

All of it was on Mia's thirty-three-item wish list—the one she'd sent me, neat and explicit, before withdrawing it with some lame excuse about "sending it by mistake."

That was when it hit me: there was nothing innocent about any of this.

"The cleaner took care of them," I said, meaning the photos.

Danny's expression cracked.

"You can always take new ones," I added with a faint smile.

His face softened, and his warm hand landed on my shoulder. "Good. We'll take even better ones next time."

He had no clue I meant him and Mia.

The awkward silence shattered with the buzz of my phone.

It was a real estate agent calling to confirm if I was serious about selling. Apparently, pricing the properties at half their market value had caught some attention.

These weren't just any properties—they were the ones Danny had transferred to my name when he proposed. A penthouse in Rivera, a suburban villa, and two four-bedroom apartments right in the heart of the city.

"Yeah, I'm serious," I said. "The contracts are signed. Just find buyers ASAP. I need the money."

Danny's eyes narrowed as he noticed my tone. His hand shot out, gripping my wrist so hard I winced.

"Who was that?" he demanded.

"The agent."

"An agent? For what?"

Feigning nonchalance, I shrugged. "Oh, just asking about a listing for someone else."

His shoulders relaxed. "Good. Paige, I'm all yours now. I swear, Mia won't come between us again."

I raised an eyebrow but didn't bother responding.

Before I could call him out, his phone buzzed. A quick conversation later, Danny was out the door, still in his slippers, rushing like his life depended on it.

I waved dismissively and went back to packing.

***

By the time I was almost done packing, Danny called again. "Paige, Mia's depression flared up. I'm scared she'll do something stupid. You know how suicidal she can get."

I let out a dry laugh. "Spare me the speech. I don't care."

Suddenly, Mia's sobbing voice cut in. "Paige, I'm so sorry. I can't control myself anymore. I just... I just want it all to end.

"That way, you and Danny can be together forever."

"Then go ahead and die. No one cares."

I wasn't falling for it. My therapist had already told me Mia's little breakdowns were just part of her act.

On the other end, chaos exploded—Mia's over-the-top wailing, Danny yelling. "Paige, you're heartless! I wish I could rip you open and see if your heart's made of stone!

"Mia's depression is your fault! You've been cruel to her from the start. Are you happy now, driving her to this?"

"Yes," I said flatly.

"You're unreal," he growled before the line went dead, probably because he'd smashed his phone. Typical Danny tantrum. Not my problem.

There were only four days left until the wedding, and I was almost out. Just a few loose ends to tie up before I could leave Danny and his chaos in the rearview mirror.

As I hauled out another suitcase and waited for the movers, Danny barged in.

His face was pale, his jaw tight, and his eyes flicked frantically between the luggage and the nearly empty house.

"Where are you going?" His voice cracked. "Paige, tell me you're not leaving. You're not... right?"