Chapter 2 The Wedding Was Canceled

Luke's eyes lit up, and he let out a breath like he'd been holding it in.

That look of relief cut into me like a blade. It hurt so badly I could barely breathe.

I ignored the gaze he threw at me—tender, satisfied, almost grateful—and lowered my eyes, forcing the storm inside me to settle.

But then he leaned close to my ear. His warm breath brushed my cheek.

"Then... the guests..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but I understood him perfectly. He wanted to push me out in front, let me explain it to everyone in the room.

That way, Chloe could step away clean, spotless. And he could still keep that perfect Army captain image intact.

I knew him too well.

I didn't argue. I simply gave him what he wanted.

I drew in a slow breath and stepped forward. The room fell dead silent, every pair of eyes locking onto me.

"Everyone," I heard my own voice echo across the banquet hall, "today's wedding is canceled. I'm sorry you all came for nothing."

"We'll return all the gifts. Thank you for coming."

I finished without expression. Only then did the knife pressed to Chloe's wrist finally lower. Her breathing eased, her emotions smoothing out as if someone had flipped a switch.

The crowd immediately exploded into noise.

The military wives who knew each other on base leaned together, whispering hard. Their looks scraped over me like blades.

They were angry at me for not fighting back. They murmured with disgust, as if my restraint offended them.

"I can't believe she's really going to let that girl walk all over her."

"If it were me, I'd drag that homewrecker out by her hair."

I didn't want to argue. There was no point.

But Luke couldn't take it.

He lunged forward and yanked me behind him. His chest rose and fell sharply, and his eyes burned with fury.

"You think you understand?" he snapped. "You don't know a damn thing!" The veins at his temple stood out, his voice so loud it felt like it could rattle the windows. "What Ivy did is what a real military wife does—she puts responsibility first! Whatever decision she makes, I support her. If any of you have a problem with that, the door's over there!"

The wives' faces shifted—pale, then flushed—stunned into silence. Still muttering, they left in small groups.

Luke turned, reaching for me, trying to pull me into his arms.

I stepped back on instinct and slipped out of his reach.

He froze there, arms still half-raised in a hug he couldn't complete.

Somewhere in the corner of my eye, Chloe had already put the knife down. She dabbed at her tears with a tissue, putting on a show. But the curve of her mouth betrayed her—an upward flick of smug satisfaction.

"Ivy, what's wrong..." Luke's voice trembled. His eyes were full of confusion, and something wounded.

I looked at him in his crisp dress uniform and felt exhaustion roll through me.

I had pressed that uniform for three years. Every time he came back from training on base, I smoothed every crease with my own hands, making him sharp and spotless again.

But now I couldn't smooth out his wrinkled heart. Not anymore.

"Luke," I said, so softly it almost disappeared, "you told me no one would ever bully me..."

A thin smile tugged at my mouth.

"But the person who bullied me was you."

His expression locked in place.

At the doorway, Chloe gave a fake little cough, sweet and delicate.

Luke glanced back at her, then looked at me again. His lips moved as if he had something to say. In the end, nothing came out.

Behind me, Chloe's voice turned syrupy. "Luke, my wrist really hurts..."

I didn't turn around.

On the floor, the bouquet had been trampled into a mess, petals crushed and scattered—just like the expectations I'd carried for the last three years.

After the crowd dispersed, the banquet hall was left in ruins.

Ribbons had been torn down. Sugar was scattered across the floor like debris from a ridiculous farce.

Luke lowered his voice, gentle now, like he could undo everything with softness. "Ivy, don't listen to those women. They don't understand."

He reached toward my shoulder, then hesitated and pulled his hand back as if he'd been burned. "I'll make it up to you. I promise we'll have a better wedding."