Sabina ordered me to go back to the venue immediately, smooth things over with the university officials, and squash the rumors.
I did two things instead.
First, I called her university and informed them I was pulling my investment from her project and shutting down her lab.
Second, I left the wedding venue and went straight back to our apartment.
One by one, I erased every trace of Sabina Delgado from that home.
The matching mugs we'd shaped together on that pottery trip. The couple's pajamas we wore every night.
The wedding portrait we'd just picked up yesterday, freshly and lovingly framed.
I threw it all into the bathtub, flicked open a lighter, and set it ablaze until nothing was recognizable.
Watching the flames climb, I called the hotel that was hosting the reception.
"The wedding's off. Send the remaining bill to the bride. And have my belongings delivered to my home."
The hotel manager's voice came back stunned.
"But the bride just told us the wedding is still on—just pushed back a day. She also said we printed the wrong name on the photos and banners and asked us to replace the groom's name with Eustace Simmons."
A thorn drove itself deep into my chest.