Five years with Jesse, and we had been just like that. No fights, no arguments. Only each other.
The thought steadied me. I nodded at Nora. "You don't need to comfort me. Maybe something happened on the way. Let's just wait a little longer."
But that little longer stretched all the way until dark.
When my phone finally rang, I caught the familiar name on the screen, and the dull ache in my chest cracked open into light.
I pressed answer before the second ring. "Jesse, did something happen? Is that why you didn't come? It's okay, I—"
He cut me off.
His voice was low and hoarse, and it shattered the last sliver of hope I had left.
"I'm sorry, Addie. I tried. I fought for us. But my mother... she still can't accept your background. She won't allow an actress into the Swanson family."
"Let's break up. That's it."
He didn't even wait for my answer. The line went dead.
A beat of silence.
Then Nora erupted. She ripped the corsage off her bridesmaid dress and hurled it to the floor. "Jesse Swanson, that spineless piece of garbage! I am not done with him!"