Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 26 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 26

Chapter 5 

Chapter 5 

I woke up to a sliver of light coming through the curtains. 

My phone had been off so long that when I turned it back on, it buzzed so hard my hand went numb. 

Over a hundred missed calls. 

Sean’s parents. Sean. A few numbers I didn’t recognize. 

My messages had exploded. 

Sean’s mom had left a dozen voice messages. 

The first one was almost polite. 

“Nora, where are you? They says the wedding’s canceled?” 

The second one had an edge to it. 

“How could you make a decision like this without talking to us?” 

By the last few, she was practically screaming. 

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done to our family? Everyone showed up. You made us look like fools!” 

I sat on the bed and listened to the last one. 

Then I tossed my phone aside and went to take a shower. 

Hot water hit my face, and it finally hit me. 

Today was supposed to be my wedding day. 

But I felt nothing. Not even a flicker. 

Just relief. Like I’d escaped something. 

When I came out, my phone was ringing again. 

Unknown number. 

Chapter 5 

I picked up. 

Sean’s voice came through, tight with anger. 

“Nora. You’re finally answering.” 

I paused, towel in my hand. 

“What do you want?” 

That seemed to choke him. 

A few seconds passed. Then he laughed. Cold. 

“What do I want?” 

“Are you serious right now?” 

“Do you know what day it is?” 

I sat by the window and pulled the curtains open. 

An unfamiliar city stretched out below me. 

I said, calmly: “I know. So?” 

Sean’s breathing suddenly got heavier. 

“So you canceled the wedding, blocked me, and disappeared?” 

“Nora, what the hell is wrong with you?” 

I listened to his familiar tone. And suddenly, I almost laughed. 

Every other time he’d talked to me like this, I’d automatically questioned myself. 

I’m too sensitive? I’m being unreasonable? 

Now I was completely DONE. 

I said quietly. 

“Sean, I canceled the wedding five days ago.” 

“I told you two days ago I needed to talk to you.” 

Chapter 5 

“You ignored it yourself.” 

A few seconds passed. Then I heard glass slam down hard on a table. 

Sean’s voice dropped, but the anger was still there. 

“Nora, you planned this, didn’t you?” 

“Canceled the officiant. Canceled the dress. Canceled the venue.” 

“You let me show up on time like an idiot. Did that feel good?” 

I didn’t deny it. 

“A little.” 

His voice shot up. 

“NORA!” 

I held the phone away from my ear. 

Outside, pigeons flapped past the window. 

I waited until he was done. Then I put the phone back. 

“So now you know what it feels like to be made a fool of?” 

“Sean, for six months, I’ve been talking to a computer program. You think that felt good?” 

Sean wouldn’t answer. He was getting defensive now, firing back at me. 

“That’s not an excuse to destroy a wedding.” 

“Everyone was there. The venue entrance was mobbed.” 

“My mom almost had a stroke, Emma was so upset she cried.” 

Of course. 

Even now, he was worried about Emma. 

I let out a quiet “Mm.” 

“Why was she crying? Was she the bride?” 

Chapter S 

Sean’s voice immediately went cold. 

“Do you have to be so passive-aggressive?” 

“What does Emma have to do with any of this?” 

I said, flatly: 

“Then she has nothing to do with it. You’ve always thought that anyway.” 

Sean sounded like he’d hit his limit. 

“Nora, I’m asking you one last time. Where are you?” 

“Come back. Now.” 

“Apologize to everyone. In front of everyone. Tell them you panicked and we’re postponing.” 

I almost thought I’d heard him wrong. 

“Postponing?” 

“Yes.” 

He said it like it was obvious. 

“Things have already blown up. We need to calm everyone down.” 

“You come back, apologize, and I’ll smooth things over with my mom.” 

“If you want to redo the wedding, fine.” 

“But we’re settling the score later.” 

I listened to all of it. And I laughed. 

“Sean, what makes you think I’d still fucking marry you?” 

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