Chapter 3: The Last Time I'd Cry for Camden

Camden stared at my red-rimmed eyes. He faltered.

"Forget it, Camden. I almost fell to my death just now..."

"But I don't blame her. She doesn't need to apologize to me."

"You two are still getting married. I don't want to be the reason you fight."

Camden sighed. His face softened with something tender. "Pepper. You always think of everyone else first. It breaks my heart."

He turned to me. Cold. "At the end of the day, you're just jealous of her. You can't stand seeing her have something good."

"Pepper spoke up for you. So I'll let the apology slide. This time."

"But if you ever hurt her again, I won't go easy on you."

He scooped Pepper into his arms. Before he walked out, he looked at me. Disappointment written all over his face.

"You don't compare to Pepper. Not even close."

The living room went silent. I was alone.

I stared out the window. Dead leaves drifting down.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I crouched on the floor. Covered my face. And cried.

Last time.

This was the last time I'd cry for Camden.

That afternoon, Camden posted on Instagram.

Nine photos. A whole gallery. Living room. Nursery. Every corner of a house. My screen was drowning in it.

The caption: "Every room. Every piece of furniture. Every little detail. I picked it all myself. I just want my baby to have a warm, happy home."

The blessings poured in.

"Congrats, Camden! A baby on the way!"

"Camden and Rowan are having a shotgun wedding! Congratulations!"

"Rowan is so lucky to have a husband like Camden. So jealous!"

"The wedding's in three months. I'd turn down a billion-dollar deal before I'd miss it."

The comment section was a celebration. Loud. Enthusiastic. Then Pepper slid in.

"Everyone, please don't misunderstand. This isn't Camden's marital home. It's mine."

Silence swallowed the comments whole.

I broke it first. One sentence.

"You two deserve each other. I'm out. Don't contact me again."

I didn't stick around to see what came next. I removed both Camden and Pepper from my friends list.

Minutes later, Camden called.

"Rowan. Are you done throwing a tantrum?"

"I'm not throwing anything." My voice came out calm.

His exploded. "That comment you left on my Instagram. You were trying to smear Pepper. Flat out."

"You won't be satisfied until everyone thinks she's the other woman, will you?"

"You slander her one more time, we're done. No wedding."

I listened to the cold fury in his voice. Nothing stirred inside me. Dead water.

"Camden. What makes you think I'd still be waiting for you? I don't take back other people's returns."

I hung up.

Maybe that line hit a nerve. He called. Over and over. When I didn't pick up, he flooded me with messages.

I ignored all of it.

In ten days, I was marrying Beck.

These people were about to become strangers.