bold and beautiful. The room fell silent. Lora was furious. Neil was stunned. At the altar, I stopped. And then I said it: “No, I don’t.” I told Neil I needed someone who would choose me, not his mother’s approval. I handed my bouquet to my best friend, and walked back down the aisle—alone,

but free. The next morning, I woke up at her place. Peaceful. Light. My phone buzzed with messages: You were brave. You did the right thing. Even Neil had texted: I’m sorry. But I didn’t reply. Some goodbyes are the beginning of better things. And that day, I chose me.