Chapter 3
Dr. Hayes's words echoed in my mind as I stood outside her office building. The Seattle drizzle settled on my skin—tiny droplets I could see but not feel. A perfect metaphor for my life: I could observe pain but never truly experience it physically. And yet, the emotional agony of Ryan's doubt cut deeper than any knife ever could.
My phone buzzed with a text from Chloe: *Coffee? I need to talk to you. It's important.*
Twenty minutes later, I sat across from my best friend at our favorite café near Pike Place. Her normally cheerful face was drawn with concern as she stirred her latte absently.
"Spill it," I said, wrapping my hands around my mug. "Whatever it is, it can't be worse than what I'm already dealing with."
Chloe bit her lip. "Madison's been busy, Cass. She's contacting people—mutual friends, wedding guests, even your second cousin who barely knows you."
"What?"
"She's spinning this whole narrative about how you tormented her in high school. How you're some master manipulator who framed her." Chloe's eyes flashed with anger. "And some people are actually listening to this garbage."
I felt the room tilt slightly. "Who?"
"Jen and Mark are on the fence. They said they want to 'hear both sides.' And Ryan's college roommate Derek told me he's 'concerned.'" She made air quotes with her fingers. "It's like she's systematically targeting your support system, Cassie."
I pressed my fingers against my temples. "She's trying to isolate me. Just like in high school."
"I told everyone she's full of shit," Chloe said fiercely. "Anyone who knows you—really knows you—won't believe her."
But Ryan had believed her. Or at least, he'd doubted me enough to listen.
After leaving Chloe, a strange calm settled over me. I didn't go home. Instead, I found myself driving toward Capitol Hill, where Ryan sometimes went for coffee when he wanted to think. It was a hunch, nothing more, but something pulled me there.
I parked across from Analog Coffee and felt a sickening lurch in my stomach when I spotted Ryan's silver Audi in the lot. Taking a deep breath, I approached on foot, staying close to the buildings. Through the window, I could see him sitting at a corner table, his back to me.
He wasn't alone.
Madison sat across from him, her face a perfect mask of distress. Even from outside, I could see the theatrical way she dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. Ryan leaned forward, his expression concerned as he reached across the table to touch her hand.
The same gentle touch he'd always reserved for me.
I stood frozen on the sidewalk, watching as Madison's shoulders shook with what appeared to be sobs. Ryan moved to sit beside her, putting his arm around her in comfort. The tenderness of the gesture made bile rise in my throat.
I couldn't hear their words, but I didn't need to. The picture was clear enough: Madison was playing the victim, and Ryan—my Ryan—was falling for it completely.
Three days later, we met with our wedding planner, Elise, at her downtown office. The tension between us was palpable as we sat side by side on her plush sofa, careful not to touch.
"So," Elise began brightly, "we're just three weeks out! Today we need to finalize the menu selections and confirm the seating chart."
She pushed a tablet toward us with the dinner options. I stared at the screen, the words blurring together.
"Actually," Ryan said, clearing his throat, "I've been thinking we might need to postpone."
My head snapped up. "What?"
"Just until we sort some things out," he added, not meeting my eyes.
"What things?" I demanded, my voice rising. "You mean until you decide if I'm the monster Madison says I am?"
Elise's professional smile faltered as she glanced between us.
"Cassie, this isn't the place—" Ryan began.
"When is the place?" I interrupted. "You've barely spoken to me for days. You're meeting her behind my back. You're letting her destroy everything we have!"
"I'm trying to understand what happened," he said, his voice tight. "You never told me the full story about Portland."
"Because it was traumatic!" I felt tears burning behind my eyes. "She tormented me for years. She's the reason I can't hear out of my right ear. And now you're letting her do it all over again."
Elise cleared her throat awkwardly. "Perhaps we should reschedule when you've had a chance to—"
"There's nothing to reschedule," I said, standing abruptly. "The wedding is happening in three weeks. With or without him."
I stormed out, humiliation burning through me as I heard Elise murmur something sympathetic to Ryan behind me. Outside, I leaned against the building, struggling to breathe.
My phone buzzed with a text. Unknown number.
*I always finish what I start, Cassie. You should know that by now. —M*
I stared at the screen, a cold realization washing over me. This wasn't just about hurting me anymore. Madison wanted to destroy me completely. And she was using the man I loved to do it.
You may also like
