Ryder arrived at the rehearsal dinner, feeling like he was walking to his execution. He knew he had to put on a good face, but it was getting harder and harder to pretend like everything was okay.
As he took his seat next to Sophia, he couldn't help but feel like a prisoner. He glanced around the room, searching for an escape, but there was none. He was trapped, and he knew it.
Sophia, on the other hand, was beaming with happiness. She was one step closer to getting what she wanted, and she wasn't going to let anything ruin it for her.
As the dinner began, Ryder's anxiety grew. He knew he had to make small talk, but he couldn't think of anything to say. He felt like he was suffocating, like the walls were closing in on him.
Suddenly, Sophia's hand brushed against his, and Ryder felt a wave of revulsion wash over him. He knew he had to play along, but it was getting harder and harder to pretend like he cared.
"I love you," Sophia whispered, her voice dripping with sweetness.
Ryder forced a smile onto his face. "I love you too," he said, trying to sound convincing.
But as he looked into Sophia's eyes, he knew he was lying. He didn't love her. He loved Emma, and he would do anything to be with her.
As the dinner dragged on, Ryder's mind began to wander. He thought about Emma, and the baby she was carrying. He thought about the life they could have had together, and the happiness they could have shared.
But most of all, he thought about how he was going to get out of this mess. He knew he couldn't marry Sophia, not now, not ever. But he didn't know how to escape.
As the night wore on, Ryder knew he had to make a move. He couldn't take it anymore. He excused himself, citing a headache, and stepped outside for some fresh air.
As he stood on the balcony, looking out at the stars, he felt a sense of clarity wash over him. He knew what he had to do. He was going to fight for Emma, no matter what it took.
But little did he know, his decision would set off a chain of events that would change everything.