The Day I Died, He Married Her

Chapter 1

On the day I died, the man I loved the most married the woman he'd always carried in his heart.

I sat among the guests, clapping through the tears, wearing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.

Twenty-five years of loving him had taught me one thing—

Childhood sweethearts never stood a chance against fate.

But at least, I wouldn't have to hold on much longer.

Everything that once mattered was now behind me.

This was the final chapter of Rachel Summers and Ethan Winters.

...

At Ethan Winters' wedding, I had a little too much to drink.

When he and Lily Evans came over to toast our table, I stood up a bit unsteadily, lifting my glass with a wobbly smile.

"Ethan, congratulations," I said. "Wishing you a lifetime of love… and a baby on the way soon."

He frowned slightly but didn't say anything—just tossed back his drink in one clean motion.

Lily smiled, warm and radiant. "Thank you, Rachel."

Her hand rested gently on her slightly rounded belly. "We'd be honored if you'd be the baby's godmother."

Ethan's gaze softened as it landed on her stomach. A rare smile tugged at his lips.

"Rachel," he said, "you have to come to the baby's full moon celebration."

I smiled, tipped my glass, and downed it in one go.

Too bad I won't be around to see that day.

After the toasts, Ethan took Lily's arm and they moved on, weaving through the crowd like a perfectly choreographed pair.

I set my glass down, staring after them—him in his tailored suit, her glowing in ivory lace. They were beautiful. Complete.

A brilliant man and a breathtaking woman. A storybook couple.

And me? At best, I was average. Quiet. Unremarkable.

Of course he chose her over me.

A man like Ethan—elegant, sharp, proud—he was always meant for someone like Lily. Someone untouchable.

Around me, the table was filled with familiar faces—relatives and family friends who'd watched Ethan and me grow up side by side.

Their voices dropped to hushed pity.

"Rachel, you and Ethan just weren't meant to be."

"Time to let go of those childhood dreams."

I didn't respond. My head throbbed, and I pressed a hand to my temple as I stood.

Then came the pain—a familiar, twisting kind, deep in my stomach.

Gritting my teeth, I made my way to the restroom.

Behind me, someone sighed.

"Fate's cruel, isn't it? Everyone thought Ethan would end up with Rachel."

"They used to be inseparable."

They weren't wrong.

Everyone thought I'd be the one in white next to Ethan someday.

I thought so too.

But life had other plans. I never imagined I'd be just a guest, raising a glass to someone else wearing the dress.

Outside, snow had begun to fall, soft and silent, blanketing the world in white.

I turned, and for a moment, caught one last glimpse of him—tall, graceful, the very picture of the man I used to know.

And just like that, a memory came rushing back.

That snowy night, so many years ago.

"Rachel, I love you."

"No matter how much time passes, I want to grow old with you. Always."

"Rachel, will you marry me?"

I said yes.

And I meant every word.

But the boy who once promised me forever was long gone.

Lost to time.

Never coming back.