Chapter 1

After Austin stood me up for the fifth time, he finally cleared his schedule for our sixth attempt to get our marriage license.

I wore a custom designer dress I made myself, holding a fresh bouquet of peonies, and stood outside City Hall early in the morning.

But I waited from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM. He never showed up.

Just as the City Hall doors locked, a text from Austin popped up on my phone.

"It’s Hailey’s birthday today. I need to celebrate with her first. We’ll get married next time."

Right after that, a massive firework display lit up the city sky.

Passersby stopped, looking up in awe.

"Look! Mr. Miller is setting off fireworks for his muse again. That is so romantic!"

I walked home, my soul completely crushed. My five-year-old daughter, Lily, was sitting on the porch, shivering from the cold.

"Mommy, Daddy promised to take me out for McDonald's. But I waited so long, and he never came."

Six attempts to get married. Six broken promises.

And now, even my daughter was becoming a victim of his neglect.

I threw my bouquet straight into the trash and hugged my shaking little girl tight.

"We are not waiting anymore, sweetie."

"Never again."