Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 71 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 71

Chapter 3 

Chapter 3 

Right after we got engaged, I begged him to book wedding photos before it was too late. 

He refused. 

“You KNOW I hate getting my picture taken. Wedding photos just sit in a box. Why are you forcing me to do something I hate?” 

I bit the inside of my cheek. 

“They won’t just sit there. When we’re old and our memories fade, we’ll look back at them. And our kids will see how happy we were.” 

“I promise, just two setups. One for the venue backdrop, one outdoor. You won’t even be tired.” 

He looked at me like I was insane. 

“So dramatic.” 

But I wouldn’t drop it. I begged for weeks. He said things that made me lock myself in the bathroom and cry. Finally, 

he gave in. 

I researched everything-dresses, locations, photographers. Stayed up until 3 AM making shot lists, then taught high 

schoolers on four hours of sleep. 

Since our wedding was a month away, I paid double to jump the waitlist and rush edits. 

But the shoot I spent weeks planning? Evan gave it to someone else. 

The guy who “hated photos” suddenly had infinite patience for Gina Penn. Five setups. Costume changes. All smiles. 

Made me wonder if he hated photos-or just hated taking them with me. 

The car stopped in our building’s garage. I opened Gina’s Instagram. New post. She’d blurred Evan’s face out. 

“OMG early bday present! Got the CUTEST pics ever thanks to a special someone ??” 

Evan stood outside scrolling. A second later, a red heart appeared under her post. 

He never liked mine. 

Chapter 3 

You coming or what?” 

He knocked on the window. I stared at him through the glass. 

You took Gina to do a photoshoot using my wedding package. Why not just do the actual wedding photos with her? You two looked pretty comfortable.” 

His face went stiff. Then angry. 

“Claire, what the hell?” 

“You stole My wedding photoshoot to take birthday pictures with another woman, and you’re asking ME what’s 

Wrong?” 

“Evan, YOU’VE lost your mind!” 

I thought I could stay calm. But I screamed it. My throat raw. 

He just clicked his tongue. 

“Gina’s twenty-two and fresh out of grad school. It’s her birthday and she doesn’t know anyone in town. I’m her mentor. Of course I’m gonna help her celebrate.” 

“And it’s ONE photoshoot. We’ll reschedule ours. Why are you being so dramatic?” 

I looked at his unbothered face. The anger drained out of me completely. 

“Fine.” 

Won’t need them anyway. 

His shoulders relaxed. 

He typed something. After I got out, he climbed back in the driver’s seat. 

“Head up without me. Gina’s throwing a staff dinner tomorrow for her birthday. She needs help meal prepping. I’m gonna swing by and help her out.” 

I blinked. I’d planned to talk about canceling the wedding tonight. 

No point now. 

I nodded. Went upstairs alone. 

Dragged my suitcase out of the closet. But looking around our apartment-my books, my throw pillows, my ridiculous cactus collection-I couldn’t pack any of it. 

15.50 

50 906 

Chapter 3 

Just grabbed my stockpile of pads and Advil. 

Called the venue. Canceled the reception. Lost the $8,000 deposit. 

Took every cent of the $15,000 Evan gave me as a traditional gift and left it on the nightstand in an envelope. Twisted off my engagement ring and dropped it on top. 

Then I grabbed my half-empty suitcase, ordered an Uber to O’Hare, and right before takeoff, sent one last text. 

“Let’s call off the wedding. I’ll handle both our parents. Hope you find someone you actually love.” 

Hit send. Airplane mode. 

Passed out against the window. 

When I woke up, we’d landed in Paris. I turned my phone back on. 

327 missed calls flooded my screen. 

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