Chapter 2

A road-service patrol stopped when he saw the glass and my bleeding hands. He called emergency services, helped me into the shade, and stayed while a medic checked me.

I told the responding officer I'd been trapped. He took details. I used his phone to call my own, then remembered who had it.

At urgent care, they cleaned the cuts and checked me for heat illness. Only after I was cleared did I take a car home.

The driver recognized my dress. Nolan's family had publicized their wedding livestream through local social accounts.

“Big day for weddings.”

He showed me the feed while we were stopped.

Nolan stood beside Tessa. He removed the band we'd worn for seven years and dropped it into an attendant's hand. Then he put another ring on hers.

“I promise you happiness,” he said.

He'd practiced that vow with me.

My brother cheered. My mother asked someone off camera whether Tessa's ex was watching. Dad wanted close shots of the kiss.

“That's my fiancé,” I told the driver.

He turned the sound off.

At home, the decorations we'd put up together still covered the windows. I packed my documents, clothes, and work laptop.

On my phone, which Mom had left with the concierge after the ceremony, another notification showed Nolan's mother welcoming Tessa into the family.

I called my manager.

“Is the Wyoming assignment still available?”

She said yes. The wind-energy team was leaving in three days.

“I want it.”