Benjamin demanded I return to the venue immediately, smooth things over with the university officials, and squash the rumors for him.
But I only did two things.
First, I contacted his university and informed them I was pulling my investment from his research project and shutting down his lab.
Second, I left the venue and went straight back to our apartment.
I wiped my tears and began erasing every trace of Benjamin Delgado from the place, one item at a time.
The matching couple's mugs we'd shaped together in Porcelain Creek. The matching pajamas we wore every night.
The wedding portrait we'd just picked up yesterday, freshly and lovingly framed.
I threw all of it into the bathtub, flicked a lighter, and watched the flames eat through every last piece until nothing was recognizable.
As the fire climbed, I called the hotel where the wedding was being held.
"The wedding is off. Send the remaining bill to the groom. And deliver everything I left in storage at the hotel back to my home."
But the voice on the other end was the hotel manager's, thick with confusion.