"What's the difference between love and in love?"
"Love is infinite. You can love multiple people at once. But when you're in love, it's always one person. And the rest can never compare."
➳ ☾ ➳
When the...
"But you're in love with him, and you haven't denied it. What if you object to our marriage and tell him?"
"I have been harboring those self-destructive feelings for so many years. Don't you think if I wanted, I would've said something a long time ago?" she replied, her words laced with both sadness and anger.
"And what if you have a sudden epiphany and decide that now is the time to say it?" The young bride's composure and calmness could've fooled anyone. It certainly did fool the girl in front of her. Because Florence failed to see the fear in Daphne's eyes-- she was mortified at the idea of Callum leaving her once he realized that his best friend loved him. As much as he denied it, his fiancée knew he could never love her like he loved Florence.
"Daphne," Florence stated, her voice a bit steadier than before. "Callum and I have known each other for twenty-six years. I promise you, I will hold my tongue, but I can't miss his wedding! He'd be devastated."
"Not as devastated as you once we're pronounced husband and wife," Daphne quipped. It was a low blow, and she knew it, but she had to play her cards right if she wanted to win. "Truth be told, I'd be doing you a favor. Do you truly want to sit through the ceremony? Watch as Callum gazes at me while I walk towards the altar? Listen to him deliver his emotionally loaded vows? Realize that you have eternally lost him once he becomes mine? Till death do us part."
Every word coming out of Daphne's mouth felt like a knife plunging itself into Florence's heart and forcing her to bleed. "Please, stop," she pleaded, the bile in her throat rising and the tears in her eyes falling.
"Or perhaps you'd like to acquaint yourself with the idea for when we have kids in the future? Who, I'm assuming, will be your godchildren per Callum's request."
"Daphne, please. I get it."
The bride moved away from the windowsill and dusted her white dress. She reached for her flowers after glancing at the clock at the wall that indicated five more minutes till the start of the ceremony.
She opened the door to leave but not before locking eyes with Florence, who was neither able to control the tears falling from her eyes nor the quivering of her lips. But for once, she was able to read Daphne because the statement her jade eyes carried was lucid.
When the door closed, Florence glanced at her reflection. She looked broken, frail, and downright shattered. And there was no way in hell she would allow Callum to see her as such.
She furiously brushed the tears away and straightened her posture. "You can do this," she repeated the mantra over and over again until she was ready to take her leave.
➳ ☾ ➳
Outside and in the large garden illuminated by the faint sunlight, Callum was trying to steady his racing heart while he waited for his beloved bride to come out of the large doors. As he looked around the space filled with lively chatter and smiles, his eyes settled on a certain raven-haired boy with the most immaculate tux he had ever seen.
He couldn't but wrinkle his nose at the sight. Nonetheless, he followed Jayden's gaze across the room until it landed on a soft silhouette with a long lavender dress walking outside the doors.
Squinting, he found himself looking at none other than his best friend. Feeling someone's heavy gaze on her, Florence turned around to meet a pair of hazel eyes; even from a distance, she could see Callum's brows knitting together in confusion.
Florence gave him a soft smile, one that said so much, but if only he knew how much. Their gazes fixed for a moment too long, and she truly wished it could last forever. But alas, the sound of music forced her to look away and move her feet.
He knew he should've been focusing on Daphne. There was no doubt, but at that moment, he let his eyes follow Florence's fading figure. Feeling his heart sink at the idea of her not attending the most important day of his life.
Daphne should've been happy, but the guilt and the hurt seemed to trample everything else.
The bride walked towards her groom, and the latter diverted his gaze back to his future wife, while Florence finally reached her car and was now sobbing behind the wheels.
It had taken ten minutes for Florence to calm herself down, but it had taken the mere reminder of him to bring her back to her knees.
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