You Weren't Invited to My Wedding Ex novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

I stood slowly, smoothing down my hoodie like I was brushing invisible dust from silk. I met Jacob’s eyes and let the smile rise–measured, delicate, not quite kind.

“The one you’re not invited to.”

Jacob laughed first.

It was a short, surprised laugh, like he thought I was joking, like I couldn’t possibly mean it.

Then Luther joined in, letting out that low, amused chuckle he always used when he thought I was trying too hard to be clever. “Come on,” he said, shaking his head. “You almost got us.”

I didn’t say anything. I just stood there and watched them laugh.

Lavenia tilted her head, still lying on the couch like a delicate martyr, and she smiled like someone who knew the punchline before the joke was told. “Yeah, it’s a joke,” she said in a light, mock–sweet tone. “Because we all know no one’s actually interested in Pearl. She doesn’t even clothe herself properly. Baggy hoodies, baggy pants–what’s she hiding under all that?”

Jacob snorted and looked at me like she’d just said something brilliant. “She does dress like she’s in hiding,” he said, nudging Luther, who didn’t even pretend to disagree. “You

should dress like Lavenia.”

They all laughed again, and it echoed off the walls and into the hollow space where I kept everything I never said out loud.

I didn’t flinch. I didn’t even blink.

“Yeah,” I said softly, letting the corners of my mouth lift just enough. “It’s a joke. It’s my cousin’s wedding.”

The laughter stopped.

“You all can come,” I added, and I held their eyes when I said it, even when I didn’t feel like

1. it.

Jacob scratched the back of his neck and looked away first. “Ah, we’re gonna be busy,” he

said.

“Yeah,” Luther added quickly. “We’re taking Lavenia to Switzerland next week. It’s part of her birthday gift. Doctors said she could travel once she’s stronger.”

Jacob looked down at Lavenia with that soft expression I hadn’t seen in weeks–like she was some glass thing he had to protect with both hands. “Once she’s recovered, we’ll spend a few weeks there. Clean air, mountains. She deserves it.”

Lavenia’s eyes met mine as she leaned against Jacob’s chest, and she smiled like a girl who had already won.

I smiled too.

I didn’t say a word.

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I turned and walked slowly to the stairs, listening to the sound of their voices rising behind me again, soft and warm and full of care–but not for me.

I reached the top and went into my room, shutting the door with a gentle push. I didn’t lock. it. There was no need. No one was coming up.

I laid down on the bed and pulled the blanket over my legs and stared at the ceiling, and I listened to the clinking of cutlery and low voices downstairs. I heard Jacob laughing again, and I heard Lavenia coughing softly, and I heard Luther ask if she needed more tea, and I heard the life they were building without me–still inside my home.

I didn’t cry.

I just closed my eyes and let the quiet wrap around me.

I was already half–asleep when the door creaked open, and I turned my face toward the wall, too tired to care who it was.

Soft footsteps moved across the floor, and then the smell of warm milk hit me before her

voice did.

“I brought you something,” Lavenia said lightly, but there was a twist in her tone–sweet but sour underneath, like honey gone rancid.

I didn’t move.

She stood near the foot of the bed, holding the glass like a prop. “Why did you even come back?” she asked, her head tilted just enough to make the question sound like it had an answer I wasn’t smart enough to give.

I turned toward her slowly and pushed myself upright just a little. The blanket slid off my shoulder. “Yeah?” I said, voice dry. “Why are you still in my house?”

Her mouth twitched, like I’d said something funny. “I’m leaving. Don’t worry. Jacob and Luther are taking me to the hospital later. Just wanted to see you first before I go.”

I didn’t thank her.

She walked closer, her steps soft on the rug, and set the glass on the table beside my bed, but she didn’t let go of it right away. Her fingers lingered on the rim.

“Is it painful?” she asked, her voice like silk stretched too tight. “Seeing your boyfriend and his brother take care of me like I’m the most fragile, precious thing in the world?”

I didn’t answer.

“I mean, what were you doing even in the hospital?” she went on, brows lifting. “Pretending to be sick for a week? Were you disappointed when they didn’t show up? Did you think they’d come running?”

My eyes felt heavy again, and I didn’t want to give her my words. I laid back down and pulled the blanket up over my shoulder.

“I don’t care,” I mumbled, and I meant it.

I closed my eyes.