Page 112 of How to Break My Heart

Everyone fusses over Maddy until it’s time to head outside to where the ceremony is being held. When everyone leaves the room, I stay back to have a moment with my best friend.

After last night, Maddy has barely spoken two words to me nor responded to my text about leaving. I narrowed it down to nerves, but after spending the night with Billie, I’m too exhausted to focus on anything else.

I fix her train, then open the door so we can head to the main area, where Mr. Beaumont will meet Maddy to walk her down the aisle.

As I hold on to the door handle, Maddy stands perfectly still, staring at me like she’s seen a ghost. With her mouth downturned, I pause momentarily, ignoring the sudden quiver in my stomach.

“Maddy, what’s wrong?”

“I… uh…” She stutters on her words, playing with the expensive necklace around her neck and tugging on it, almost like it’s choking her. The skin surrounding it turns red, making it obvious she’s rubbing it too hard. “I-I can’t do this.”

I do my best to remain calm, knowing it’s common for the bride to panic before walking down the aisle.

“These nerves are normal.” I smile, trying to ease her thoughts. “How many movies have we watched where this happens? Cold feet are part of the process.”

She bends down to fall to her knees on the floor. Maddy covers her face, rocking back and forth.

My moment of calm is suddenly taken over by worry. I bend with great difficulty, rubbing her back, trying to calm her down.

“I think I’m going to be sick.”

I rush to grab the trash can near the end table, pushing it beneath Maddy as she hurls violently. With deep breaths, I try not to puke myself, quickly grabbing some tissues for her to hold on to and removing the trash but still keeping it near.

“Do you feel better now?” I ask softly.

She shakes her head with bloodshot eyes. I notice her skin has developed a rash, and I see her chest rise and fall with her erratic breathing.

“Maddy, what’s going on?”

“I… I can’t do this,” she fumbles, anxiously twisting her hands. “I don’t love Myles the way he deserves to be loved.”

“Okay,” I respond, unsure what else to say.

“This doesn’t feel right,” she cries. “Please, Eva, call my brother.”

My lips press together in a slight grimace. “You want me to call Aston?”

“I need him.”

“But…”

“I need him!” she shouts this time.

The last thing I want to do is speak to Aston, but this is a crisis, and I’m out of my depth here. I search for him and tell everyone that Maddy needs a few moments alone to fix her dress.What other lie should I have come up with?It seems much easier than stating the truth right now.

Aston is standing at the altar beside Myles. His head is bowed, his fingers intertwined while he waits like everyone else.Thank God Mr. Beaumont is nowhere to be seen. I try to gain Aston’s attention. His eyes lock onto mine, but I fight my heart right now and urge him with my eyes to follow me.

He leans in to whisper to Myles, then carefully exits down the side of the manicured garden to where I’m standing. Patricia is sitting at the front and watches me cautiously. Nobody else has noticed yet.

Aston reaches out to touch my arm with a concerned expression, and it’s evident he didn’t sleep either. “Everleigh, what’s wrong?”

“Maddy needs you,” I rush.

We both head back inside, running down the long hallway until we reach the bridal quarters. My hand shakily reaches for the door handle, flinging it open, and that’s when Aston sees Maddy crouched on the floor.

“Madelina?”

She runs to him, clutching his tuxedo jacket while he wraps his arms around her. His skin bunches around his eyes, and he has a pained stare as he’s looking back at me.