Chapter 4

"Your leg hasn't fully healed. I was worried something might happen," Matthew said.

He was my fiancé—and the boy next door I'd grown up with.

The researcher flinched at Matthew's sharp tone, but before he could speak, the lab door swung open.

Clara stepped out.

"Don't talk to Jane like that," she said with an innocent smile, reaching for my hand. "Jane, are you here to see Isaac? Let me take you inside."

Disgusted, I pulled my hand back.

It wasn't a hard gesture, but Clara gasped dramatically.

"Ow!"

She cradled her hand, eyes instantly welling up. She bit her lip, looking hurt but saying nothing.

"What's going on?" Isaac emerged too.

He saw me and frowned. "I already told you I'd come to the wedding after the awards ceremony. Why are you here bothering Clara?"

Before I could respond, Matthew let out a low laugh.

"Sweetheart, I don't recall inviting your ex to our wedding."

Isaac's eyes finally landed on Matthew.

"This is my fiancé, Matthew," I said politely.

He studied him for a moment, then smirked like he'd figured it all out.

"Jane, I've seen him before. He's the neighbor you grew up with. You don't need to drag him into this charade."

"Isaac, I'm serious!" I insisted.

But Isaac ignored us, turning to lead Clara back into the lab. "Ignore them. The data matters more."

"But Jane—"

"She doesn't matter."

I stood frozen until Matthew gently squeezed my hand. "He's not worth getting upset over. Let's just drop off the paperwork, okay?"

I looked up at him, the heaviness in my chest easing. "Okay."

Wednesday arrived, and so did my wedding.

Even though Isaac promised he'd come, he never showed.

I was used to his broken promises, but hearing the reason still stung.

At the awards ceremony after-party, Clara wore a revealing dress and got harassed by a drunk investor. Isaac punched the guy, causing a huge scene.

To comfort a "traumatized" Clara, he skipped the rest of the celebration and took her home, staying with her for days.

At some point, someone asked him, "Isaac, aren't you going to the wedding? Jane's going to be mad."

He just shrugged. "It's fine. Jane's easy to calm down. I'll apologize, buy her a ring, and propose. She'll forgive me."

Four days later,

Isaac showed up at my parents' house with roses and an engagement ring.

My father answered the door.

"Professor, where's Jane?"

My dad looked at him with pity. "Jane and Matthew left for their honeymoon."