Chapter 1Two months before the wedding, our newly renovated home suddenly had an EXTRA room.
They'd literally SMASHED my walk-in closet to make space for it.
I frowned at Landon. "Why did you add another room without telling me?"
He shrugged like it was nothing.
"Sienna's all alone in this city, stuck in that dump. Making room for her in our home—it's not a big deal."
OK. There it was again. That bullshit line.
Last time, I bought myself a car.
The very next day, Landon bought Sienna a MORE EXPENSIVE one.
"She works late every night. No car? That's rough as hell. She's your best friend—getting her wheels, it's not a big deal."
And then, I'd ordered a rare wedding ring from halfway across the world.
The day it arrived, Landon gave Sienna the exact SAME one.
"You're getting married, and she's still single and feeling miserable."
"Gotta make a good impression on your bestie, right? Buying her a ring—not a big deal."
Now, hearing the same excuse again?
Fuck him. I didn't hesitate.
Pulled out my phone and texted the realtor: [List the house for sale. Now.]
Since he cared that much about Sienna, then calling off this wedding...
... well, not a big deal, huh?
...
"Miss Calloway, you're sure about this? Half the market price?"
The realtor sounded like he couldn't believe it.
Houses in this neighborhood were gold. Nobody sold them this cheap.
Especially not fully furnished, move-in ready.
"Dead sure."
I hit send without blinking.
From layout to design to every stick of furniture, I'd done it all myself.
Down to the paint color. Down to which couch to buy.
Landon never asked. Never cared. Just tossed me a "whatever you think is fine."
But today, walking through that house, I realized the truth.
All my hard work? It was never just ours.
He'd already given half of it to her.
To make room for Sienna, he'd shrunk my bedroom to half its size.
Tore down the walk-in closet I'd spent weeks designing.
If that's how it was?
This house could burn for all I cared.
"Who are you texting?"
Landon leaned over to look. I locked my phone before he could see.
"The contractor."
"Oh. Tell them Sienna's room needs warm white paint."
"And get her a dehumidifier. Spring's coming—humidity's gonna spike. Don't want her uncomfortable."
He said it so casually. Like taking care of her was just... routine.
But when it came to me? He never gave a damn.
I had severe eczema. Every spring, when the humidity spiked, I'd break out in angry red welts all over my body.
I'd asked him dozens of times to get a dehumidifier.
Every time, he shot me down.
"That's a scam. Total waste of money."
"It's only humid for like a week. Just deal with it."
I snapped back to reality and let out a bitter laugh.
"Fine."
That evening, Sienna punched in the door code like she owned the place and walked right in.
She sat in her usual chair and took the silverware Landon handed her—her special set.
"What are you standing there for? Get Sienna some food."
Landon elbowed me, his tone sharp.
At some point, eating dinner in my own home started to feel like being the damn help.
I had to serve Sienna first. Had to make sure her plate was spotless.
Otherwise, she'd wrinkle her nose because of her "thing" about cleanliness.
And Landon would lecture me.
"Can't even wash a plate right. Is there ANYTHING you can do?"
I used to let it slide. She was my best friend, after all.
Even when Landon only cooked her favorite dishes and forgot I was allergic to seafood.
Even when he clinked glasses with her, draped his arm over her shoulder while tipsy.
And she just smiled. Didn't care how I felt.
I swallowed it all. Never said I was hurt.
But now? I was done swallowing it.
I filled my own plate, sat down, and started eating.
Sienna froze, fork suspended mid-air.
Landon's face darkened. He snapped at me.
"Riley, what the hell is wrong with you?"
"You didn't even serve Sienna, and you're already eating?"
I gripped my fork tighter and looked up at him.
"What is she, my mom? My grandma? Why the hell am I serving her like the help every single time?"
"Landon, your favoritism is showing."
Chapter 2
He actually laughed. Like I was some kid throwing a fit.
"She's your best friend, Riley. You seriously jealous?"
"I'm treating her like family. That's what you do for family."
He reached over and patted my head.
Same condescending bullshit he always pulled. "Come on. Don't be like this."
Don't be like this.
Before, when Sienna's family pressured her to get married and she begged him to fake-date her for a week, I said no.
He pulled my hand off his arm. "Come on, don't be like this."
Later, when Sienna got lost hiking and he abandoned me on the highway to go find her,
I clung to the car door and begged him not to leave.
He looked at me coldly.
"Sienna's in danger. I have to go. Stop being like this."
Now, watching him drop shrimp into my bowl again, my stomach turned.
"I'm done."
"Riley, what NOW?"
The warmth in his eyes evaporated instantly.
It wasn't until Sienna tugged gently on his sleeve and reminded him I was allergic to seafood that guilt finally flickered across his face.
"Shit. I'll make you something else."
"Don't bother."
I turned and walked to my room without another glance.
As the door closed, I heard Sienna's voice.
"Is Riley mad? Should I go talk to her?"
"Ignore her. She's always like this. Let's just eat."
A second later, their laughter exploded from the living room.
TV blasting some comedy they were debating over.
But when it was just me and Landon at home? He'd snatch the remote and shut off my show.
"Stop watching this garbage. Your brain's slow enough as it is."
I sat on the carpet and let out a long breath.
Then pulled out my phone and started canceling everything.
The invitations. The dress. The venue.
"Riley, I'm taking Sienna home."
Landon's flat voice came through the door.
Before I could answer, the front door slammed shut.
It was pouring outside. Landon hated the rain.
Once, I got stuck at the mall during a storm and asked him to pick me up. He was pissed.
"The rain'll let up soon. I finally get a day off and you're gonna make me go out in this?"
But whenever Sienna came over for dinner, rain or shine, he'd drive her home personally.
He'd even stand in the rain with her like an idiot, both of them grinning under a tree.
Sometimes I'd remember the rain back in college.
He pulled me into his arms, covered my head with his hand, and promised he'd shield me from every storm for the rest of my life.
But now, those hands were shielding someone else.
It wasn't until past midnight that Landon finally came home.
He tiptoed into bed, trying not to wake me.
Lay with his back to me, phone screen glowing.
I couldn't help it. I glanced over.
Sienna had texted him.
"Landon, my company gave me two movie tickets. Can you come with me tomorrow?"
"Riley doesn't like this kind of movie."
Like she was covering her tracks, she added that last line.
His thumb hovered over the screen. He seemed to hesitate.
"But tomorrow's Riley's birthday. I promised I'd be with her…"
Before he could hit send, another message popped up.
"It's okay!! If you're busy, I can go alone!"
"No, I'll go with you."
He could never say no to Sienna when she backed down.
So in a trio, I was always the one left out.
Chapter 3
The next morning, Landon didn't rush off to work like usual.
Instead, he set breakfast on the table and pulled out a chair for me.
"Riley, come eat."
He smiled at me. That familiar smile that always came before a lie.
Every time he was about to ditch me, he'd butter me up first.
"They just told me I have to work late tonight. Can't do your birthday."
"But I'll make it up this weekend, okay? I'll buy you whatever you want."
"Buy whatever you want"—Which translates to: he hadn't prepared anything.
Not even flowers.
But when it was Sienna's birthday? He went all out.
Hunting down restaurants. Making me fish for hints about what she wanted.
And when I got upset? He brushed it off.
"I'm your fiancé! Can't look bad in front of your best friend!"
"If I treat her right, she won't tell you to dump me every time we fight!"
Back then, I had no choice but to lie to myself.
Maybe he just wants to take care of the people I care about.
Maybe he's just trying to make our relationship stronger.
But now? I wasn't going to be blind anymore.
I looked him dead in the eye.
"Yeah. Sure. Whatever."
He smiled, satisfied, and kissed my forehead.
"I knew it. You always understand."
After Landon left, I grabbed my suitcase and started packing.
Halfway through, my phone rang. Mom's face filled the screen.
"Baby! Happy birthday!"
"Look at your dad—been up since dawn making your favorite."
"I keep telling him you're grown now, you got your own life, you're not coming home for birthdays anymore."
"He won't listen. Says I don't get it."
Through the screen, I watched my dad working in the kitchen.
Couldn't hold back the tears.
Mom froze. Then her voice turned sharp with worry.
"Riley, what's wrong?"
"Where the hell is Landon? He's always with you on your birthday. Where is he?"
I choked on a sob. Wiped my face. Looked at her with red eyes.
"Mom, I'm calling off the wedding."
"I want to come home. I want to spend my birthday with you guys."
Mom went still. Then, without asking anything else, she said softly:
"Baby, no matter what happens, we're always here."
"If you're not happy there, come home. We'll be waiting."
After the call ended, the room fell silent.
Only the sound of my ragged breathing.
Sky turned dark. I finally stopped crying.
The house felt suffocating. I went to the river alone and bought myself a cake.
Sat on a bench, lit the candles.
That's when I saw them.
Two familiar figures.
They walked out of the theater, laughing about where to eat next.
A kid running past slammed into Sienna. She pitched forward.
Landon caught her.
Pulled her right into his chest.
They froze. Staring at each other.
His hand still on her waist. Her fingers clutching his shirt.
Neither of them let go.
Like they didn't want this moment to end.
Until Sienna's eyes drifted—and landed on me.
Her face went stiff.
"Riley?"
Landon's head whipped around.
Our eyes met.
