1 The Invitation

“The audacity!” Harper had to snatch back the expensive-looking invitation card which she knew Wilson, her ex-husband, had purposely sent to her workplace from Gwyneth’s slim fingers, afraid that her friend would tear it in half in her stead.

It had her name embossed right in the front of the invitation.

Harper sipped her coffee while running her free hand on the white satin cloth she had wrapped around the mannequin a few minutes ago. Her fingers slipped smoothly along the fine linen.

Gwyneth put her hands on her hips, her round eyes zeroed in on Harper. A measuring tape was hanging on her shoulders.

“Please tell me you’re not actually planning on attending.” Harper didn’t miss the worry in her friend’s pleas. She caught her gaze and smiled ruefully.

Shrugging, Harper threw her empty coffee cup towards the wastebasket situated beside her. It toppled over the small pieces of cut-out cloth they no longer had a use for.

“Maybe,” Harper replied nonchalantly, moving aside to measure the length of the cloth. The bride wanted her gown to have a four-foot trail behind her. Her veil would overlap it.

Harper already imagined how it would look like, and this had her smiling.

Gwyneth switched position, following Harper’s movement in order to catch her attention. She had momentarily slipped out of reality; she knew it. The look on her face told her all about that.

“Harper, listen! I love you and will always support you in everything that you do, but this is insanity. You are beautiful, witty, sometimes very clingy, and crazy, yet believe me, it’s not worth going. Just think of what would happen if you do. Please?”

Harper took a deep breath. She leveled her gaze at Gwyneth, waving the invitation in front of her friend, and smirked.

Despite Gwyneth’s pleas, Harper knew she still harbored resentment against Wilson.

“They sent me an invitation, Gwyn. It would be rude if I ignored it, right? I mean, we have history. 2 years is not a joke.”

Wilson Barlowe was the love of her life. Harper thought she’d die losing him. But the term ‘was’ explained her relationship with him now.

”Still, Harper. I think this is a bad idea.” Gwyneth’s insistence had Harper sighing. She could see her point and for any sane person, that was the logical choice.

Unfortunately, Harper wasn’t on the same page as Gwyneth, her peace-loving and eco-friendly best friend.

“Gwyn, I can’t let them have all the fun. Sure, I’d play right where they want me to be. But you know what? I can play that game better than them.”

–

*1 Month Before Receiving the Wedding Invitation*

Harper stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. She narrowed her eyes. Soft brown locks cascaded around her shoulders as she pursed her lips, containing the anger that was boiling inside of her.

She curled her hands, blinking back the tears that threatened to ruin her make-up. Extracting the wedding ring from her finger, she heard the closing of the door in their shared bedroom.

Her husband was finally home.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and calmly walked out of the bathroom. Upon seeing Wilson, the anger came back a thousandfold. It was taking every inch of her to stop herself from landing a hard slap on his face.

Green eyes and perfectly sleek blonde hair, Wilson was the epitome of what she used to say was her hunky dream come to life.

“Can we talk?” Harper said casually. Wilson caught her gaze. He managed to take off his coat and had laid it on top of their king-sized bed.

He blew out a tired sigh.

“I’m exhausted, Harper. Can it wait until tomorrow morning?”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Harper watched Wilson heading towards the walk-in closet to change.

“How long has it been?” Harper went on. She kept a straight face as Wilson peeked from the closet, his brows furrowed.

“What are you talking about?”

“How long has it been, Wilson?” she repeated. Coming back out, managing to put on his grey sweatpants and no shirt, Wilson put a hand on his hip and stared at Harper.

They stayed that way for quite some time until Harper pulled out her phone. She went to see the photos sent in her email, flashing the screen towards Wilson.

“I’m asking about her. I believe her name is Adeline. Adeline Whitlock. I’m asking, how long have you two been seeing each other behind my back?”

Her husband stared at her before running his hand through his hair. He held it up towards Harper as he walked towards the bedside drawer. Halting her from saying anything more.

Pulling out a document, he threw it on the bed beside Harper.

“Let’s get a divorce.”

Harper stared at the brown envelope lying innocently beside her before she scoffed and belted out a loud laugh. She then scooped the document her husband just threw her way, pulling out the divorce papers inside. She got on her feet and brandished it in front of him.

“This is your response? A divorce? Is that how easy this is for you?” Unable to keep her anger in check, Harper shoved the paper back towards Wilson.

“I gave up everything to be with you, Wilson! My family, my friends, my career! And this?” Harper let out a bitter laugh once more, pointing at the divorce papers that had now scattered on the floor.

“This is what I get after all that? What did I lack, Wilson? What do I lack that she has? What happened to your promise of staying in love with me? I don’t understand.”

Wilson breathed out a sigh. He carefully picked up the document, handing it back to Harper.

“I fell out of love a long time ago, Harper. Let’s settle this like adults. I can no longer stay married to you. So, I need you to sign these documents and then pack up your bags.” There was a brief pause before Wilson went on, “I’m no longer happy with you, Harper. And I think you feel the same way, too.”