"Wasn't marrying Mabel your dream since you were a kid? Why the sudden change of heart?" Dad asked, clearly confused. "Did she mistreat you?"

I forced myself to sound casual. "No. I just figured things out. She's not the right one for me."

Mabel and I had grown up together, inseparable since childhood. When I was five, Mom had a severe depressive episode and locked me in a closet for two days and a night.

It was Mabel who found me and got me out. From that moment on, I saw her as the light in my life, my salvation.

Later, when Dad spent his days taking Mom to one treatment after another, Mabel was the one who stayed by my side.

She had been part of every moment of my youth. Just when I thought we were bound to end up together, she met Carter.

In the end, I didn't stand a chance against someone who came out of nowhere.

I could only watch as they fell in love. It was the most painful time of my life—so bad that I wanted to drop out of school just so I'd never have to see them again.

Yet, the moment I finally decided to let Mabel go and move to New Bastia to join my parents, Carter broke up with her for reasons I never understood.

She fell into despair, but for me, it was a flicker of hope.

Not once did I leave her side. I comforted her, cared for her, and confessed my feelings. Step by step, we made it to where we were now, on the verge of marriage.

Then, Carter came back. The moment he returned, he went out of his way to provoke me, telling me Mabel would never marry me and that I should know my place and step aside.

I had sworn it was impossible back then. But now, I had to admit I was wrong. When it came to love, I'd lost completely.

…

Once I ended the call with Dad, I went online and bought a ticket to New Bastia for three days later. After that, I took a cab home and started packing.

I was halfway through packing when Mabel came home. She held out the lemon loaf cake in her hand and said, "Isn't this your favorite? I went out of my way to get it for you."

Lemon loaf cake was my favorite, no question. But now, as I looked at the half-eaten cake, I felt nothing but disgust.

"Thanks. But I don't eat other people's leftovers."

Mabel's expression faltered for a moment. "You can't finish a whole cake by yourself anyway. Do you really have to be so petty about it?"

I zipped up my bag and dragged my suitcase toward the door. "Think whatever you want. If you want to call it petty, fine."

Right then, she reached out and blocked my way.

"The wedding's in three days. Where are you going?" Mabel asked in a low voice.

There were three days left until my flight to New Bastia too. Not wanting to cause any trouble, I said, "The bride and groom aren't supposed to live together before the wedding. I'm going back to my place."

Mabel's expression softened when she heard that, though a hint of doubt remained. "Is that really a thing?"

"Of course. Ask anyone if you don't believe me."

It was a long-standing custom. I wasn't making it up. So, I had no reason to worry about her asking around.

But what I didn't expect was that she'd ask Carter right in front of me.

After he confirmed it, Mabel visibly relaxed. "I'll drive you."

With my suitcase in hand, I got into her car. On the passenger seat, I saw the sticker again—"Carter's Seat".

This time, I didn't tear it off and replace it with my own like I used to. I just got into the back seat instead.

"Aiden, you're finally being reasonable," Mabel stated, sounding relieved. "It's just a sticker and a seat. I don't know what you and Carter were even fighting over."

A faint smile played on my lips as I replied, "You're right. There's nothing to fight over. I've given it to him."

…

We were halfway through the drive when Mabel's phone rang. It was Carter's ringtone.

As soon as she picked up, his anxious voice came through the line. "Mabel, I was in the middle of a shower when the power suddenly went out. I don't know what happened. Can you come over and help me?"

In an instant, panic flashed across Mabel's face. She turned to me and said, "Carter has night blindness. A blackout is dangerous for him. I have to go."

This had happened more times than I could count. No matter how hard I tried to stop her, it had always been pointless.

This time, I wasn't going to put myself through that again.

"Just drop me off at the next intersection," I said evenly.

Mabel pulled over, and I stepped out with my suitcase. Guilt was etched across her face when she looked at me. "Aiden, it's hard to get a ride out here. Wait for me. I'll be right back."

Wait for her? Hadn't I learned my lesson already?

Still, I smiled and nodded.

As soon as her car disappeared into traffic, I opened an app and booked a ride.

…

That night, Carter posted on Instagram. The caption read, "No matter what happens, as long as you're by my side, I feel safe."

In the flickering candlelight, two silhouettes leaned against each other.

I knew he had posted it just for me to see. In the past, I would've called Mabel right away, demanding an explanation.

But now, after looking at the photo, I even gave it a like.

The next morning, I woke to two missed calls and a message from Mabel. "Aiden, I'm back. Where are you?"

The timestamp was 5:00 am. Luckily, I had seen it coming and silenced my phone the night before.

…

Over the next two days, I busied myself getting ready to leave.

My parents had been living in New Bastia, and once I left this time, I had no intention of coming back. So, I made sure to pack everything I'd need.

…

The day before the wedding, Mabel showed up at my place. Without a word, she grabbed my arm and pulled me outside.

It wasn't until she got me into the car that I finally managed to ask, "Where are you taking me?"

"Carter's house," she answered, starting the engine.

"Why?"

"You'll see when we get there."

Before long, the car came to a stop outside Carter's house. Mabel dragged me inside, where the living room was packed with his friends.

At that moment, Carter walked toward me. He wore a crisp shirt and slacks, exuding confidence.

"Aiden, you're finally here. After I accidentally ruined your suit last time, I felt terrible. So, I made you a new one myself to make up for it."

Accidentally? Felt terrible?

Those words sounded strange coming from him. Besides, it had only been two days. Could he have really made a suit?

One of his friends wheeled out a mannequin draped in a white cloth. Carter pulled it off, revealing a mannequin dressed in a green suit.

The sight was strangely unsettling.

Then, Carter looked at me. "Aiden, I spent two nights making this. I hope you'll wear it tomorrow."

I couldn't help but laugh at the sheer audacity of it.

Carter's face fell instantly, and he added, "I know it might not look that great, but I put my heart into making it."

"Do you want me to wear it too?" I asked as I turned to Mabel.

She hesitated, clearly torn. Looking at Carter's increasingly pitiful expression, she said, "He really meant well. And compared to all the black-and-white suits, it's… kind of different."

I smiled and nodded. "You'll see it at the wedding tomorrow."

As soon as I finished speaking, Carter's friends looked at me with disdain and mockery.

"Carter's right. Aiden's just a simp," one spat.

"As long as he gets to marry Mabel, he'd wear a sack if we told him to."

Another remarked, "He's seriously an embarrassment to men everywhere."

Amid their jeers, I folded the suit and turned to leave.

Mabel, however, followed me out. She grabbed my wrist, then said, "Aiden, I didn't know they'd say things like that. Don't take it to heart."

I brushed her hand away. "Don't worry. I won't take a single word of it seriously."

At my words, she reached up and lightly touched my hair. Her voice softened as she said, "I know this hasn't been fair to you lately. But don't worry. Once we're married tomorrow, I'll cut off contact with Carter."

"Alright. See you tomorrow." I smiled faintly.

…

Third-Person POV

Beneath glittering crystal chandeliers, the hall was packed with guests. Mabel, dressed in a pure white gown, stood on the other side of the doors.

Just then, the doors to the hall swung open.

With everyone watching, a delivery driver wheeled in a mannequin dressed in a green suit.

Mabel's expression darkened instantly. Through clenched teeth, she demanded, "Where is Aiden?"

The driver took out a voice recorder and handed it to her. "Ms. Jones, Mr. Coleman asked me to pass this along to you."

She grabbed it and pressed play. In an instant, Aiden's voice came through the recorder.

"Mabel, I'm leaving. I'm done playing this game. I wish you and Carter a lifetime of happiness. I hope you're stuck with each other for good."