The Homewrecker Wore My Wedding Dress
The caption read: Wherever my attending goes, I go. So lucky to have the best mentor in the world.
And then I saw the comment from Marks official account: Better hold on tight. Dont want you getting lost and crying for me to come find you again!
God, Mark never commented on anything. He didnt even like my posts, claiming he never had the time. But suddenly, here he was, with not just the time, but the inclination to banter.
I locked my phone, my finger hovering for a second before I switched apps. Then I canceled the caterer for the wedding.
A man with no boundaries? No, I think Ill pass.
1
Jennas face, bubbly and bright, flashed across my screen as I scrolled through six months of her digital life. Nearly every video featured Mark.
It was a slow burn of a story, from her initial, tentative interactions to the casual intimacy of her leaning into his side. The comments section was a chorus of encouragement.
Girl, you should just snatch him up! He looks like hed be a good kisser!
You can just tell hes handsome from the back. That presence!
Good men are a limited resource, honey. You better act fast!
Jennas reply to that one was a single, coy sentence: Im trying my best! ;)
I scoffed, dismissing it, until a text from Mark came through: Audrey, surgery ran late. Cant make dinner tonight.
The old me would have sent back a supportive message, full of understanding. But some strange impulse took over. I wanted to see for myself. So, I just replied, Okay.
After freshening up, I drove to the hospital.
I spotted them from the parking garage. Mark was walking out of the main entrance of the medical center, and Jenna was right behind him. She skipped a little to catch up, her hand finding his as she pressed close to his side.
Dr. Ashton, lets get dinner! Im so nervous about the night shift.
Whats there to be nervous about? Marks voice was warm, amused. Ill be there. You think Id let you fail?
The sound of his laugh, so easy and light, made my chest tighten. Id braced myself for something, but seeing itthe casual way she held him, the way he smiled down at herwas a physical pain.
His eyes finally met mine across the asphalt, and his smile froze.
Audrey?
I forced a placid smile, grabbing the takeout container from the passenger seat. Just passing through, I said, holding it out. Brought you dinner.
Mark started to say something, but Jenna bounced forward before he could. Oh, whos this, Dr. Ashton? Is this your sister?
Her feigned innocence was nauseating. I couldnt be bothered to play her little game. Mark, however, frowned. This is my fiance, Jenna. Dont be ridiculous.
She stuck her tongue out playfully. Oops, my bad! Sorry, maam, I couldn't tell.
Clearly, your observational skills could use some work, I said, my voice dangerously sweet. Youre a resident, so you must be what, twenty-five? Im younger than you. The maam is a bit much. I held her gaze. Poor eyesight is one thing, but you cant afford to make a mistake on the operating table. That could be fatal. Right, Mark?
Mark cleared his throat. Jennas eyes immediately welled with tears. She ducked her head. Im sorry, I was just joking. Ill let you two talk.
She scurried away, and Marks gaze followed her, his brow furrowed with concern. He turned back to me, his voice sharp. Audrey, that was over the line. She likes to kid around, thats all. You didnt have to be so aggressive.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Are you serious, Mark? Theres a limit to kidding around. How would you feel if you saw me walking out of my office holding hands with another man?
He froze, his defense faltering. Thats different. We were just messing around. Audrey, dont make a big deal out of this. Were about to get married. Shes just a student.
Just a student. The words echoed in my head. I didnt say another word, just rolled up my window and drove away. In the rearview mirror, I could see him standing there, his face a mask of frustration. But that wasn't my problem anymore.
Back home, I saw Jenna had already posted a new TikTok.
The video was a close-up of a fancy takeout boxmy takeout boxon a table. The text overlay read: Dealing with some random female jealousy today. Ill never understand the way some womens minds work. So thankful for Dr. As comfort food and pep talk!
I let out a cold, humorless laugh. Mark, you didn't just cross a line. You torched it.
Just then, an email popped up from the wedding planner. Ms. Miller, Ive attached the finalized menu selections from the caterer. Please let me know if youd like any changes.
I glanced at the attachment, my finger hovering over the reply button. After a long moment, I typed back: Let me review and get back to you.
Thinking back, from the moment we got engaged, I had been the one making every single decision about this wedding.
Marks constant refrain was: Audrey, Im just too swamped. I trust you with all of this.
Whatever you think is best, Audrey.
2
And just like that, the responsibility that should have been ours became mine alone.
And what was he doing during all of this?
If it had truly been for work, I would have understood. But it wasnt, was it?
When I was trying on wedding dresses, he was helping Jenna clean up a mess shed made with a patients chart.
When I was picking out party favors, he left me at the store, saying there was an emergency at the hospital. I later saw on Jennas TikTok that shed had a panic attack, and hed rushed over to calm her down.
There were so many moments. It was only now, scrolling through her social media, that I realized just how many times Mark had abandoned me for her.
I had to laugh at my own foolishness. He never had any intention of sharing this burden with me. Id been happy to do it all, thinking I was building our future. Now I just felt like an idiot. Why should I be the only one invested in this?
A wedding is a partnership. If he didn't care, why should I?
I took a deep breath and forwarded the caterers email to Mark. He didnt reply. Of course he didnt. I hadnt expected him to.
Four hours later, around the time his surgery should have been ending, my phone rang. I was already asleep, and the sound jolted me awake. I was still disoriented when I heard his voice.
Audrey, about the menus. I trust your judgment. Whatever you decide is fine with me. Im not picky.
It took me a second to process what he was talking about.
Okay. Got it.
My response must have been too flat because he hesitated, about to say more. But then a voice chirped in the background, clear as day. Jennas voice. Dr. Ashton, lets go eat! Im starving!
Audrey, I
Ill talk to you later, I said, my voice cold. Im going back to sleep.
I hung up before he could reply. Sleep, of course, was now impossible. All I could hear was her voice, and all I could feel was a strange, liberating sense of absurdity.
Instead of letting the anger consume me, I decided to act. I opened my email, found the thread with the wedding planner, and typed a simple message.
I didnt expect a reply in the middle of the night, but one came back almost instantly. Ms. Miller, is everything all right? Its very difficult to book a venue this season.
Yes, weve decided to call it off. Please cancel the wedding. And I understand the deposit is non-refundable. My apologies for the inconvenience.
A moment later, a reply: Im so very sorry to hear that. I wish you all the best in finding happiness.
Thank you.
Next came a flurry of cancellations. The photographer. The florist. The band.
By the time I was done, it was two in the morning.
The only thing I couldnt cancel was the dress. It was custom-made, already finished. All I could do was arrange to pick it up.
The next day, I met my best friend, Sophie, for coffee. When I told her Id called off the wedding, her eyes went wide.
Did he cheat on you?
Not physically, I dont think. But hes damn close.
I showed her Jennas TikTok account. Sophies face twisted in disgust.
What a classic little pick-me bitch, she seethed. Is Mark blind? This is the kind of girl who will ruin his entire life. She grabbed my hand. Dont you worry. Ive got your back.
I managed a weak smile. It wasnt sadness I felt, exactly. It was a profound sense of disappointment. Mark had always been so reserved, so coolly professional. Why was he throwing it all away for her?
Ms. Miller? The grooms tuxedo has also been returned with the dress.
The boutique owners voice pulled me back to the present. I took the garment bag and tossed it in the trunk of my car. Seeing the dazed look on my face, Sophie dragged me to the mall.
Out with the old, in with the new, she declared. So, when are you going to officially end it with him?
Tonight, I think.
I sent Mark a text, asking him to meet me for dinner.
It took a while for him to respond. Okay. You pick the place.
I sent him the address of a quiet Italian restaurant downtown. He didnt reply after that.
Sophie and I shopped for hours until my feet ached. We found a caf to rest. As we sat down, my phone buzzed. It was Mark. The background was noisy.
Audrey, somethings come up tonight. Im going to be late. Wait for me.
3
Sophie read the text over my shoulder and snorted. Hed better have a good reason.
On a whim, I pulled up Jennas TikTok profile. Her latest video had been posted just an hour ago. She was going on a blind date.
Sophies eyes lit up with a wicked gleam. Oh, this is a power move. Shes testing him.
What do you mean?
Shes trying to see if Mark actually has feelings for her. If he does, he wont let this date happen. If he doesnt, you two probably stay together, and she keeps playing the long game. Sophie leaned in, her voice dropping. Audrey, this is your chance. You need to see where his loyalty really lies. And what a coincidence look where her date is. She pointed to the location tag on the video. Its the same restaurant you picked.
She grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet. Come on. Marks going to be late anyway. We can grab a bite and watch the show.
She was right. We went to the restaurant and got a table in a secluded corner. Sophie was chattering away when she suddenly squeezed my hand. Showtime.
Sure enough, there was Jenna, looking sweet and demure in a floral dress, a far cry from her hospital scrubs. The man across from her seemed interested, but she kept shaking her head, pulling her hand away.
Im sorry, I already have a boyfriend. Were not a good match.
I dont think so, the man insisted. Your parents told me you were single. Lets just give it a try.
They dont know about him, she said, her voice rising slightly. Im telling you, Im taken!
Jenna yanked her hand free just as Mark strode into the restaurant. I checked my phone. He was right on time for our date. I started to raise my hand to wave, but he walked straight past our table, making a beeline for Jenna. He put a possessive arm around her shoulder.
The man on the date looked up, annoyed. Who the hell are you?
Im her boyfriend.
Jenna melted into his side. I told you I had a boyfriend. Please, just leave me alone.
Boyfriend? Youre lying. Hes your attending physician at the hospital!
So what? Jenna retorted. An attending cant be a boyfriend? Just stay away from me. Were not a good fit!
Fine! Great! The man was furious. I hope you two are happy together. Dont come crying to me when you regret this! He threw a bouquet of roses onto the table and stormed out.
Jenna turned to Mark, her hand on his arm. Dr. Ashton, thank you so much. If it werent for you, I dont know how I wouldve gotten rid of him. He was so creepy! He even followed me home once!
Mark patted her head gently. Its okay. But you need to learn to protect yourself. I cant always be there to rescue you.
Why not? I texted you, and you came, she said, looking up at him through her lashes. Honestly, Dr. Ashton have you ever considered me?
My heart stopped. I watched Mark, praying he would say the right thing.
He smiled softly. I cant. Im getting married soon.
So what? If you had met me first, before her you would have considered me, right?
She tilted her head, waiting. And in that moment, I desperately needed to hear his answer, too. I needed to know how he would choose.
His features were clear in the dim light as he looked down at the pretty, hopeful girl before him. The tenderness in his eyes was a dagger in my heart.
Then, he nodded. Yes.
The word hit me like a physical blow. My hand clenched into a fist on the table, and Sophie let out a strangled cry of rage. Yes, my ass! Mark, you shameless bastard! Youre getting married, and youre still playing games with this little homewrecker!
The sudden outburst made Mark spin around. His eyes locked with mine, and panic flashed across his face. I pushed myself up from the table and walked toward them, a smile stretched so tight across my face it felt like it would crack.
Audrey, let me explain
Mark, I said, my voice steady. Were done. The wedding is off.
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