There’s a shred of a chance that I could apologize to Blake, he could cool off, and we could patch things up just in time for a wedding. I don’t believe he would ever fully forgive me for hurting him, but it’s not the craziest thing in the world to imagine that he would consider a marriage as a business partnership. He’s said it himself: together, we’re a power couple. I can imagine us merging businesses, or cross-promoting our companies, or creating a luxury accessories empire together someday. He’s ambitious. He could understand. I would just have to convince him that this strategy is the right one.

But I’d be a fool to rely on that plan. Sure, I’m a cappuccino-half-full kind of girl, but I’m not an idiot. I wouldn’t blame Blake if he was permanently disgusted by me. He’s a romantic at heart. He stocked his fridge full of cheese just because he knows it’s my favorite; he messengered a gorgeous watch for me to wear when he whisked me away to a gala; he proposed on a yacht, for god’s sake. I can’t imagine he’d settle for me as a wife now. He probably thinks I’m a cold-hearted bitch. He’s probably right.

Maybe calling off the wedding really is the right plan after all. I could put this entire mess behind me. It’s not like I’ve shelled out deposits for the venue or the dress or the honeymoon—I’ve managed to get almost everything for free, save for a few expenses, like the pair of blue satin pumps I impulsively bought online. But telling my followers that Blake and I called off our engagement would only stir up more questions and drama, and given that I sell happily-ever-afters for a living, it would probably tank my reputation for good. (Not to mention that explaining to my nosy aunt Linda why she needs to get a refund on her airfare would be a special nightmare of its own. I would never live that one down.) If I walk away from the wedding, I don’t think Brooklyn Jewels would survive. My credibility as a businesswoman would be shot. The company certainly wouldn’t make it through the fall without a serious downsizing. I’d hate to lose the store. It would be awful to say goodbye to Jess. Sophie, Liv, and my parents would feel a real financial blow. And if the company ultimately fails, I’d be devastated.