Page 89 of Your Biggest Downfall
I took a deep breath, my gaze fixed on Austin’s. “With this ring, I promise to love you, honor you, and cherish you, for all the days of my life,” I repeated, my voice trembling slightly with emotion as I slipped the ring onto his finger.
Austin’s eyes softened, his thumb gently brushing my knuckles as I finished. He held my hand for a moment longer, as if savoring the significance of what we had just done.
Then, the officiant turned to Austin. “Your turn,” he said with a smile.
Austin’s lips curled into that familiar grin, and he reached into his pocket, pulling out his own box. I gasped as he opened it, revealing a beautiful emerald-cut diamond set in a simple, elegant band.
His voice was steady as he repeated the officiant’s words. “With this ring, I promise to love you, honor you, and cherish you, for all the days of my life.” He slipped the ring onto my finger, and it fit perfectly, as though it had always belonged there.
The ring was stunning, the emerald-cut diamond sparkling brilliantly in the light. “When did you get this?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I also had a few things up my sleeve.”
The officiant smiled warmly at us, then said, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Austin leaned in, his lips brushing mine in a kiss that felt like the final seal on our vows, binding us together.
When I pulled away, I whispered, “I love you too.”
37
nova
“You did... what?” Luna screeched as I pulled out a few suitcases to throw my clothes in.
I didn’t have much here, and whatever I left, Austin said he’d hire a few people to grab the big stuff, like the furniture, to bring to our apartment.
Our apartment. How fucking strange was that to say. I was moving in with my husband.
Husband.
God, that was even stranger.
I had to deal with Luna, who was pacing across the room with tears running down her cheeks. Luna never cried. I was always the emotional, emo kid growing up, but Luna was tough as nails.
“Why didn’t you invite me? Why didn’t we talk this out?” Luna dropped to her knees, and my heart lurched.
At first, I thought she was being dramatic, but then I realized she was truly sobbing.
I sank down beside her. “I’ll keep paying for the apartment until the lease is up, Lune.” I tried to lighten the mood. “It’ll be nice to have your living room back, especially now that you’re dating two guys.”
But she shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “This isn’t what you’re supposed to do. It’s not healthy or good for you.”
“What?” I snapped, feeling defensive. “You don’t know what’s good for me. Austin is it. We’re already married?—”
“It’s not too late for a divorce.”
“Fuck off,” I spat, standing up abruptly. Breathing heavily, I tried to calm the emotions raging inside me, but the anger and frustration kept bubbling up. “Luna, you know Austin is good for me. He loves me, and I love him. We see each other, really see each other.”
Luna stared at me, disbelief and shock etched across her face. “Nova, you’ve barely known him for any real amount of time. This was supposed to be a date, not a commitment for life. How can you be so sure? I thought you were just having fun.”
The apartment walls closed in on me, and I couldn’t stand it anymore. Without another word, I began throwing things into my suitcase, my hands moving with urgency. Clothes, books, shoes—anything I could grab—were shoved into the bags without any care. I didn’t even look at Luna, who was still on the floor, her sobs growing louder.
I kept packing, ignoring the mess I was making. The apartment that had once felt like home was now suffocating. I needed to leave, to get away from the judgment, the doubt, and the fear.
“Nova, please,” she begged, her voice breaking. “What about his sobriety? You know how fragile that is. Have you even thought about what this could do to him?”
I froze, my hands trembling as I gripped the handle of the suitcase. “Luna,” I whispered, my voice barely audible as I turned to face her. “I love him, and he loves me. I know it’s fast, but it feels right. I don’t want to hurt him—I just want to be with him.”
