---- Engaged?... Congratulations." He tried to smile, but it faltered, his pain evident. " Good. I'm happy... as long as you are..." But before he could finish, he was overtaken by a fit of coughing. "Babe," just then, Eric stepped around the corner, his voice cutting through the tension. "Who's this?" "My ex-husband..." I answered, the words feeling strange on my tongue. "Hey, I'm Eric Cromwell." Eric extended his hand to Elias, his demeanor calm and gentlemanly. Elias's smile faltered, clearly uncomfortable. "Congratulations," Elias managed to say, his smile ugly and strained. "In case I'm not invited to the wedding, I've brought you a gift." Elias handed Eric a small box. Inside was a stunning necklace. I could tell right away it wasn't a wedding gift. Elias hadn't even known about my engagement until today. [hesitated to take it, unsure of how to react. But Eric, ever quick, took the box from Elias's hands and smiled at him. ---- "Thanks for the gift," Eric said smoothly. Eric and I had the wedding of a lifetime. It was everything I had dreamed of, and more. Mother adored Eric, and I could see the warmth in her eyes whenever she looked at him. I knew Elias had received his invitation, but he never showed up. I couldn't decide if he was already gone, or if he simply didn't find the time to come. As I stood at the altar, gazing into Eric's eyes, I felt like my life was just beginning. Everything that had happened before seemed like nothing more than a distant dream, fading away with each passing moment. In that moment, all I could see was the future-the life I was about to build, one that was mine and mine alone. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!