Chapter 33

Maisie hadn't expected Ethan to show up.

Even though Seth had personally delivered the invitation, Ethan had declined. He had said that he would be away on a business trip. Seth hadn't insisted. After all, Ethan would only feel awkward showing up at their wedding.

When Seth told Maisie about it, he kept a close eye on her reaction.

But Maisie didn't react much at all. She simply said, "It's up to him."

It was a phrase she was all too familiar with. Back when she had repeatedly begged Ethan, even threatening to harm herself to stop him from cheating, his response had always been the same: "It's up to you."

...

Ethan didn't arrive until dusk.

By then, the entire wedding ceremony had already concluded. Seth was escorting Maisie from table to table, offering toasts.

To be honest, Ethan hadn't planned on coming.

The thought of Maisie dressed in a wedding gown, exchanging vows with another man—it was something he couldn't even bear to imagine. Just picturing it made his heart feel l