My Wedding, My Choice novel Chapter 4

I stumbled home, barely conscious of my surroundings.

Everything Elliot had ever given me-I gathered it all.

Things I once treasured so dearly, I didn't even glance at before shoving them into a trash bin.

Tears blurred my vision before I even realized I was crying.

I carried the box downstairs, tossing each item into the dumpster, one by one.

Every photo of us-I ripped them to shreds before throwing them in.

In the end, my hands were empty.

Only the red string bracelet on my wrist remained.

Tears fell like broken pearls, rolling down my cheeks.

I clenched my jaw, ripped off the bracelet, and threw it away too.

From childhood sweethearts to partners chasing a dream, to strangers with a widening rift between them-this was where it ended.

Years of love and devotion, closing in a single chapter.

I wiped my tears, turned around, and looked up-

Elliot stood a few feet away, watching me, unmoving.

I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palm, the sting keeping me from completely breaking down.

Without a word, I walked past Elliot toward the building entrance.

He grabbed my wrist, his voice cold.

"Why did you throw the bracelet away?"

He pulled me toward the dumpster, digging through it until he found the red string. Holding my wrist firmly, he tried to tie it back on.

I yanked my arm away, snapping, "I don't want it. Let go!"

He froze, still gripping the bracelet.

Then, in a softer voice, he reached for me again.

"Alyssa, don't be like this. Put it back on."

'What's yours will always be yours-I'm not giving it to anyone else."

If I hadn't heard him promise Nova the world just moments ago, I might've actually believed him.

I let out a sharp, bitter laugh.

"It's tainted. I don't want it."

Elliot's face darkened. For a moment, he looked ashamed.

But just as quickly, his expression shifted back to arrogance.

"I told you-I'm going to marry you. The only legal Mrs. Alderson will be you."

"What are you so worried about?"

I met his gaze, unflinching.

"I don't want to be Mrs. Alderson. I already told you-I'm calling off the engagement."

A muscle in his jaw twitched.

"You're always like this. Stubborn as hell."

"If you were even a little softer, a little more like Nova, maybe I wouldn't have been drawn to her."

He scoffed. "Do you have any idea how exhausting it is? With her, at least I get a moment of peace."

I smirked. "Then go enjoy your peace. And don't come looking for me again."

Elliot and I had fought about it, and we'd gone through a cold war of sorts.

But when our parents set a date for the engagement, he hadn't objected.

Somehow, we ended up back together.

Then, in the middle of the party, a loud crash rang through the hall.

A waiter had knocked over the champagne tower.

I jumped at the noise, but before I could react, Elliot was already storming across the room.

He grabbed the waiter by the arm, his face dark with rage.

"You've been avoiding me for three months. What the hell do you want?"

The "waiter" trembled, looking like a frightened deer.

Tears welled in Nova's eyes as she pushed him away.

"Stop it. You're engaged."

She turned to leave, but stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

Elliot's expression twisted.

Without hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her out-

Without sparing me a single glance.

Whispers erupted in the crowd:

"Isn't this his engagement party? What the hell is he doing?"

"I heard his parents forced this engagement. He's got someone else in his heart."

"No wonder he looked like he was walking to the gallows the whole time…"