Chapter 1 0001

CAITLYN’S POV

I was getting married in two days, and I had yet to decide if this was a dream or a trap.

“Hey, Cat,” Collin strolled into the room, leaning to press a stiff kiss to my forehead before sitting down opposite me, his tailored suit perfectly ironed without a single crease.

A smile curled my lips but it felt more out of obligation to the person I was going to get married to. “Are you done speaking to my father?” I asked, my voice soft and barely above a whisper.

My fiancé looked at the sleek gold watch that adorned his wrist, a frown pulling at his lips for a second before he returned his attention to me. “Uh, yes. He said You're getting on well with the wedding preparations.” His foot tapped incessantly against the floor, and I knew what that meant ㅡ He had somewhere to be.

But he had just gotten here. And I wanted to talk to him. This all felt odd, and I wanted us both to have a conversation about our supposed marriage, but he kept bailing with the excuse that a lawyer would always be busy.

“Well, yes” I tried again, my fingers kneading in my laps. “I double checked with the chefs and the decor designers. I was wondering if we could have a talk over dinner tonight? Maybe go out?” My voice trembled.

His brows shot up, confusion clouding his expression. “Sweetheart, I have a lot of cases to attend to, I don't have time for…” He gestured vaguely and my heart deflated at the movement.

Of course, he wouldn't have time. What did I expect? Everyone in this town knew that Collin Hayes ㅡ The good-natured lawyer ㅡ was always busy in the court, handling one case or another.

My whole life had turned upside-down when my father, who was the priest, told me that I would be getting married to Collin. A safe man, they called. Someone who would take care of me. Someone who was humble and went to church every Sunday. Everything they wanted in my husband but they forgot the one quality he was lacking ㅡ The ability to make some time for me.

“Right” The words felt like sandpaper against my throat. “You should get going then”

He didn't wait another second. “I'll see you later, okay?”

I didn't bother to answer and he didn't bother to wait for a reply before he grabbed his suitcase and walked out, his shoes clicking against the tiled floor as he shut the door gently behind him.

Releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding, I looked in the direction of my father's room, my gaze narrowing at it. What had they discussed? My father had said he wanted to see Collin which was the only reason the man had come around.

I stood to my feet, my knees almost knocking together as I walked to the door, leaning against the doorframe. “Dad…” I called out, my voice soft.

My father sat behind his desk, his glasses perched low on his nose, his fingers working fast as he wrote down stuff in a book but he paused on my arrival. “Yes, Caitlyn?” He sounded impassive. Like none of this affected him.

“Collin has left”

My father shrugged, a few strands of grey hair catching in the low light. “Isn't he supposed to? You know he has a job” He said without a care in the world as he resumed whatever he was writing.

I almost bit my tongue in frustration. “I know that. I was just hoping that you could tell him to see me in the evening privately”

Once more, he looked up at me, a confused expression on his face. “Why don't you ask him yourself”

Holding back the urge to push back with an insulting reply, I instead took a huge breath. “He won't listen if I tell him. But he listens to everything you say. Just tell him, will you?” I practically pleaded.

“No”

One word. But it made my heart ache.

“Dad ㅡ”

“Why don't you go get prepared and double-check the wedding preparations again, hm? You shouldn't push him too much, Caitlyn, he has a lot to do”

I almost screamed in frustration but respect for my father made me nod and step back, leaving his study and walking up the stairs to my room.

Everyone seemed to be excited for our wedding. It was the buzz of the town. Everyone but me.

My feet ached as I collapsed on the bed, tears brimming in my eyes. It felt like I was only being seen and not heard. It felt like no one wanted to know what I truly wanted.

I buried my face in the sheets, willing all this to go away when my phone beeped on the bed. Scrambling up, I grabbed it to see a text from my best friendㅡ Leah.

“Did you both say something or did he scurry away as fast as a lightning bolt?”

A smile curled my lips, this time genuine. She was the only one who saw my predicament and I was grateful for that. My fingers flew over the keyboard. “Nope. I'm really tired right now. Tired of all this, Leah. I literally have no form of excitement left in me”

I hit the send button and less than a minute later, she sent another textㅡ Hatters club. 8pm. Let's be wild one more time before you get forced into the way of a married woman. Be there.

My eyes narrowed and I leaned against the headboard of the bed. Hatters club. I knew that bar. It was a popular spot for most cliques of the city. Mostly bikers.

Leah was right… I only had two days to

Live as I wanted.

I made my decision in a heartbeat. I was going.