I run a brush through my tangled red hair, wincing at my reflection. The mascara I forgot to remove left dark smudges under my eyes.Real attractive, Hannah. I wash my face but don’t bother with makeup.
The voices grow more distinct as I approach the bedroom door. I recognize Ash's low rumble, but there is at least one other with him. Part of me wants to hide here forever, avoiding whatever awkwardness awaits after last night's disaster. But I'm done being the scared little girl my parents tried to marry off. I slowly open the door, wanting to get a lay of the land before letting them know I’m awake.
I can see Ash and his brother Phoenix standing by the window, each holding a cup of coffee.
"I can't do this.” Ash rakes his fingers through his disheveled hair. "I’m betraying her.”
Who? Me? Or someone else? The air leaves my lungs in a painful rush as I realize he could be in love with someone else. He was forced into this marriage like I was. Was he also forced to leave the woman he really loves?
Phoenix's voice carries a mix of sympathy and frustration. "She’d want you to be happy."
"No, I can't." Ash’s voice is sharp and agitated.
"The marriage is done," Phoenix cuts in. "You can't back out now. We need the O'Donnells' support."
"You think I don't know that?" Ash slams his palm against the counter. "But last night… Christ, Phoenix… I can't be what she needs. Not after Meghan."
My cheeks burn with humiliation. He left last night to go to her. To Meghan. While I sat here alone in my wedding negligee, he was in Meghan's bed.
The image forms unbidden. Ash's hands on another woman's body, his lips trailing down her neck the way they did mine. Maybe she knows exactly how to touch him, where to kiss him. Maybe she doesn't fumble like an inexperienced teenager.
I press my fingers against my burning eyes, but the thoughts won't leave. Did he finish what we started, but with her instead? Did he tell her what he did to me?
I know Ash doesn’t love me. He clearly can’t tolerate me. But I am his wife and so of course the jealousy I feel burns deep. I want to grab my phone and do a search for Meghan to find out who she is. Where she lives. What she looks like. If she's as beautiful as I imagine she must be to hold such power over him.
But I won’t because I’m also an insecure coward. I can’t bear to see her face, to know for certain that she's everything I'm not. Mature. Sophisticated. Experienced.
My wedding ring catches the morning light, and it feels like a cruel joke. Less than twenty-four hours married, and already, I'm the pitiful wife wondering where my husband spends his nights.
The worst part is knowing he didn't even try to hide it. He just… left. Like I meant so little, he didn't even need an excuse. For all I know, this Meghan could live right down the street, waiting for my husband to crawl into her bed whenever he wants.
“Hannah?”
I blink as I realize Phoenix has caught me eavesdropping. Ash turns and looks at me, but I can’t read his expression. Will he punish me? Walk out on me again?
"I–I'm sorry," I stammer, backing away. "I didn't mean to…"
"Hannah.” Ash takes a step toward me, but I'm already turning away.
I retreat to the bedroom. The moment the door clicks shut behind me, the tears I've been fighting spill over. I press my hands to my mouth to muffle any sound. The last thing I need is for them to hear me crying like a child. But God, the humiliation. Being made to feel insignificant, it hurts so badly.
But I can’t give in to it. Maybe they think I’m nothing but a trade in a business deal, but I know I’m worth more. If Ash wants to ignore me, cheat on me, let him. I’ll live my own life.
I grab my phone and send a group text to Katie, Sophia, and Maria.
Having an emergency. Meet me at Rosie's in an hour?I include a broken heart emoji before I can stop myself.
The response is almost immediate. Three dots appear as Katie starts typing.
OMG, what happened??followed by a flood of concerned emojis.
Of course we'll be there!Sophia chimes in.
On my way already, adds Maria.
Their quick responses should make me feel better. Any other day, knowing my best friends are dropping everything to rush to my side would lift my spirits. But right now, I feel like I’m drowning and even they can’t save me from going under.
How do I even begin to explain this? My husband's in love with another woman. On our wedding night, he ran away rather than touch me because I'm not her.
