Part 3My Husband’s Best Friend’s Baby

"The gala is tonight. Wear something understated. Don’t upstage Melody."

Garrett tossed an old, grey cocktail dress onto the sofa. Behind him stood Melody, draped in custom couture, wearing a diamond-encrusted watch that probably cost more than my first car.

"Garrett, how do I look?" Melody spun in front of the mirror.

Garrett stepped toward her, adjusting her necklace with a tender touch I hadn't seen in years. "Beautiful. You’re going to be the only thing anyone looks at tonight."

He turned to me, his brow furrowing. "Why are you still sitting there? Go get changed. We’re on a schedule."

I picked up the grey dress and went to the guest room. By the time I came out, they were gone. They hadn't even waited for me.

I took an Uber to the hotel. When I pushed open the doors to the ballroom, I saw Garrett holding a champagne flute, laughing with a group of investors. Melody was at his side, looking every bit the high-society wife.

I walked over, intending to stand behind Garrett as I always did.

"Garrett, who is this lovely lady?" one of the investors asked, nodding toward Melody.

Garrett raised his glass, his smile radiant. "Let me introduce you. This is my fiancée, Melody."

A chorus of compliments followed. "A perfect match," they said. "The power couple of the year."

Another guest, someone who had known us since the early days, recognized me. "Wait, then who is Donna?"

The air in the circle went still. People looked at me with a mixture of pity and confusion. Garrett didn't even turn his head to look at me.

"Her? That’s just my sister."

Ten years of being his partner, his backbone, his everything—and I had been relegated to a sister. He didn't even have the decency to give me a dignified exit. He just erased me.

I retreated to a corner, watching Melody soak up the adoration. Mid-way through the night, she walked toward me, a glass of red wine in her hand.

"Oops!"

She feigned a stumble, and half a glass of Cabernet splashed across the front of my grey dress. The cold liquid soaked through the fabric, dripping onto the floor. I looked like a disaster.

"Oh, Donna! I am so, so sorry! I’m such a klutz lately," Melody cried out, but her eyes were dancing with malice.

Garrett rushed over, but he didn't check on me. He shoved me aside to grab Melody’s hand. "Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?"

Then he turned to me, his voice a sharp hiss. "What is wrong with you? Why were you standing so close? You almost ruined her dress! Go to the restroom and clean yourself up. Stop making a scene."

I didn't say a word. I turned and walked toward the exit.

After the gala ended, we stood in the parking garage waiting for the valet. Melody let out a small whimper. "Garrett, I think I twisted my ankle. It hurts."

Garrett looked at me. "Donna, come here and help her walk."

Melody leaned her weight on my shoulder. As Garrett turned his back to look for the car, she leaned in, her voice a poisonous whisper in my ear. "So, 'sister,' how does it feel to be the help?"

I stopped walking. I looked at the smug curve of her lips.

Garrett looked back, his patience gone. "Donna, move it! The keys are in your clutch, stop stalling!"

I stood perfectly still.

"Give them to me!" Garrett barked.

I reached into my bag, pulled out the keys, and let them drop. They hit the concrete with a sharp, metallic ring.

Garrett stared at the keys on the floor, stunned.

I didn't look at him. I walked to the curb and hailed a taxi.

When I got back to the "guest room," I opened my phone. There were over three thousand photos in my gallery—the history of us. I hit Select All and Delete. One by one, our memories vanished into a digital void. I cleared our chat history. I blocked his number.

A final notification popped up before I finished—a text from him. Don't forget the bridesmaid fitting tomorrow. Melody wants you in pale pink.

I didn't reply.

In the corner of the room, three packed suitcases sat silently against the wall.