This Can't Be

Emma Winters stood outside the building where the wedding reception was being held—an event she had reluctantly agreed to attend, thanks to her friend Ivy.

“This feels like a terrible idea. I don’t even know these people,” she grumbled, smoothing down the cocktail gown she had been convinced to wear, courtesy of Ivy.

“You don’t need to know them,” Ivy chimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “What you need is to get out of the house and stop wallowing in self-pity. You’ve been ghosting me for days, and I’m not having it anymore. Weddings are fun! Trust me.”

Emma’s arms instinctively folded across her chest, her lips forming a tight line as she regarded Ivy with a mix of annoyance and appreciation.

How could someone so carefree understand the weight of loneliness that clung to her?

“Fun for you,” she shot back, rolling her eyes. “I’m just going to be the socially awkward plus-one who gets stuck by the dessert table all night, watching everyone else have a good time.”

“Then consider it practice. Who knows? You might meet someone.” Ivy winked and grabbed her hand, leading her up the marble steps to the grand entrance.

Emma felt a knot tighten in her stomach at the thought, her heart momentarily fluttering at the faintest suggestion of finding someone.

But deep down, all she wanted was Liam. Her Liam, her boyfriend who had been silent for far too long, leaving her days filled with unanswered texts and unanswered questions.

“Vee, you keep forgetting I have a boyfriend.....”

“No, I didn't forgot. I just don't see him as a boyfriend. Someone that isn't always there or is he? Where is he now?” Ivy asked with a raised brow.

“I thought as much,” Ivy said when Emma looked away. “Good, now let's go have fun and remember to make yourself available,” Ivy added before leading Emma to the hall.

The hall screamed extravagance. Crystal chandeliers hung like frozen waterfalls from the ceiling, and the air buzzed with laughter, clinking glasses, and the faint melody of a string quartet.

Guests, dressed in their finest, mingled in groups, their conversations like soft waves washing over the lavish room.

Emma paused just inside the doorway, her stomach twisting with unease. “This is way too much. How do you even know this people?” she whispered beneath her breath, glancing up at Ivy, who stood beside her, equally captivated by the dreamlike ambiance.

This was more or less her dream wedding, She and Liam had planned a lot concerning their wedding day and she had told him she wanted something sparkly just like this.

"A friend of mine knowns the bride and he invited me," Ivy replied as they walked deeper inside trying to look for the couple.

As they neared the bar, Emma stopped in her track, a flash of familiarity caught Emma’s eye causing her to stop mid-step. A tall man in a crisp dark suit stood at the center of a small gathering.

Her heart stopped. Emma would recognize that profile anywhere—the sharp jawline, the tousled dark hair, and the effortless confidence radiating from him.

It was Liam.

Her Liam.

Her boyfriend who hadn't responded to any of her chats for the past few days.

He was standing with a small group of men near the bar, his dark suit perfectly tailored, his black hair slightly tousled in that effortless way she adored. He laughed at something one of the men said, the sound like a familiar melody that tugged at her heart.

“There he is,” Emma whispered, stopping in her tracks.

Ivy turned, following Emma’s gaze. Her expression hardened immediately. “Wait… "Isn't that your boyfriend? Did you know he was here?" Ivy asked but Emma wasn't listening anymore, her gaze locked on her boyfriend who she hadn't seen or heard from for sometime.

For a moment, she felt a rush of relief. He was here. She could finally talk to him, and figure out what was going on.

Just as quickly her relief turned to irritation.

How could he be here? He hadn’t had time to answer her calls, but he could attend a wedding and laugh like nothing was wrong and he didn't have a girlfriend worrying over him?

Before she could overthink it, Emma started toward him, her heels clicking purposefully against the marble floor. She needed an explanation.

“Liam!” she called as soon as she got closer, her voice cutting through the chatter.

Liam’s head snapped up, his smile freezing as his eyes met hers. For a split second, she saw something flicker across his face guilt, maybe? Panic? But it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared.

“Emma,” he said slowly, his voice devoid of warmth.

Emma’s irritation flared. “You’ve been ignoring me for a week, and now I find you here? At a wedding?” She asked irritably, as she eyed him. She had thought he would apologize before any other thing.

Liam glanced nervously around the room as if he was looking for someone, his jaw tightening “What are you doing here?” he murmured.

“What am I doing here?” Emma scoffed angrily, her voice rising. “What are ‘you' doing here? You’ve been ghosting me, Liam!”

The men around him shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension. But before Liam could respond, a woman’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

“Liam, darling, who’s this?”

Emma turned to see a stunning blonde woman approaching, her white gown shimmering like starlight. She was radiant, her posture regal, with an air of confidence that made Emma feel like a shadow in her presence.

She was the bride, no doubt but why was she referring to Liam so intimately? Emma mused as she watched how color drained from Liam's face and he cleared his throat.

“Who is she, babe? She's looking too angry to be one of our guest,” the woman repeated, her blue eyes narrowing as she looked at Emma.

Immediately, the blood drained from Emma’s face as realization set in. This blonde was the bride and her Liam.... her boyfriend was no doubt the groom.

This can't be.