The family dinner ended unhappily, but the wedding proceeded as scheduled.
Yet I still felt uneasy deep down.
On one hand, I was anxious that everything was going too smoothly.
On the other, knowing Lily was also reborn, I worried she might interfere and ruin my wedding.
Since that day when Caleb and I had harsh words, he really hadn’t messaged me again.
I was also getting used to life without him, trying to extract myself from memories and focus on wedding preparations with Ethan.
As I communicated more with Ethan, I found myself increasingly drawn to him.
He had none of the CEO airs around me, and was extremely respectful.
Not to mention all those rumors about him being cold–blooded and ruthless.
Gradually, I felt that even if he had some physical issue, it would be okay. A platonic marriage could work too.
Until the night before the wedding, when I got a call from one of Caleb’s friends.
“Sis, Caleb’s drunk and making a scene. Can you come pick him up?”
I refused: “Have Lily get him. I’m getting married tomorrow and I’m busy.”
His friend sounded helpless: “He won’t let us contact Lily. We don’t know what to do.”
Big sis… little sis… so that’s how his friends referred to me and Lily.
Sounds of vomiting came through the phone:
“Sis, please come quickly. My mom’s calling me home.”
“If you don’t come get him, I’ll dump him on the street to sleep.”
I took a deep breath: “Send me the address.”
His friend chuckled, then hung up and winked at the person beside him.
“See, I told you Aria still has a soft spot for him. She can’t let him go.“”
Caleb had drunk a lot. His eyes were hazy, making it hard to tell if he was actually drunk or pretending.
“Thanks, you can head back now.”
His friend grabbed his jacket from the chair and quickly left.
Before going, I messaged Ethan about Caleb being drunk and sent him the restaurant address.
At the barbecue stand, I saw Caleb from afar.
He was slumped over the table, his hair tousled by the wind. Uncomfortable from drinking too much, he kept rubbing his face against the table.
I walked over, hands in my pockets, standing beside him as I met Caleb’s bleary eyes.
“Didn’t you say we’d have nothing to do with each other anymore? Aria, why did you still come?”
I didn’t have the heart to tell him I couldn’t carry him myself, and that his brother was on the way.
The next second, he stood up and pressed his burning lips against mine.
<
The strong smell of alcohol filled my nose.
I quickly stepped back, slapping him across the face.
“Acting drunk, are you?”
Caleb was stunned by my slap. When he came to his senses, he tightly trapped me in his arms, refusing to let go.
I struggled, trying to break free from his embrace.
But his strength was too great. As a woman, I simply couldn’t resist him.
In desperation, I kneed him hard between the legs.
Caleb cried out in pain, doubling over. It took him a long while to recover.
I didn’t even glance at him, constantly looking around. Why wasn’t Ethan here yet? If he didn’t come soon, I really would dump his brother on the street. If he got robbed in the middle of the night, he’d deserve it.
Caleb came over with a pale face, hugging my legs. His shoulders shook uncontrollably as he spoke with an obvious sob in his voice.
“Aria, if you just want to get married, I can give you a marriage too.“”
“Please don’t marry my brother, I’m begging you.”
I kicked him away and slapped him hard across the face.
“I’m marrying your brother tomorrow. Don’t say things that could be misunderstood.”
Caleb’s eyes were filled with pain and sorrow.
“Aria, do I really disgust you that much?”
My actions of avoidance and revulsion had hurt him deeply.
“I’ll say it again. I’m marrying your brother tomorrow.”
“But you haven’t gotten the marriage license yet. Even if you go through with the wedding, as long as you’re unwilling, I can pretend nothing happened.”
“If you’re willing, I can marry you right away!”
He spoke so sincerely.
In the past, I definitely would have been moved to tears.
He loved me too. I had waited over a decade for this.
Only when I had finally given up hope did he turn back and say he was willing.
It was too late. Everything was too late now.
Now, I had made room in my heart for Ethan. I wouldn’t allow anyone else to intrude.
Caleb Johnson, listen carefully.”
“I stopped liking you long ago. What happened in the past was my foolishness. If it caused you trouble, I apologize here and now.”
“Don’t say such nonsense again. From now on, I’ll be your sister–in–law and you’ll be my brother–in–law. We’ll keep our distance.”
Caleb stepped forward, trying to grab my hand.
“Aria, are you angry about Lily?”
<
“… I was just playing around with her before. She could never marry me. As long as you marry me, I’ll cut ties with her completely…”
Before he could finish, a fist smashed into his face.
Caleb spun like a top, his head slamming into the table. A trail of blood trickled from the corner of his eye.
Ethan’s eyes were full of rage. He showed no mercy, even to his own brother.
“I told you not to harass my wife again. Don’t think I won’t touch you just because you’re my brother.”
I fell into Ethan’s arms. In that moment, years of grievances came pouring out.
I cried uncontrollably, unable to stop my sobs.
The sorrow of two lifetimes had finally found an outlet.
Ethan gently stroked the back of my head:
“I’m sorry I came late.”
“Mr. Zhang, take the young master home. Keep a close
eye
before the wedding tomorrow.”
Mr. Zhang was the Johnson family’s butler.
Ethan’s implication was clear – he wanted to
restrict Caleb’s freedom.
He wouldn’t allow anyone to ruin our wedding.
The next day before the wedding, I was in the backstage dressing room adjusting my gown, waiting for the auspicious moment.
The dressing room door slowly opened.”
Ethan entered wearing a custom tailored suit. The clothes fit him perfectly – shirt and trousers impeccable, buttons fastened all the way up, giving him an air of nobility and solemnity.
He had even styled his hair specially for the wedding.
Ethan’s features were extremely handsome – deep–set and refined.
He leaned against the door, eyes narrowed as he looked at me like a work of art.
I couldn’t help but blush to my ears, too shy to meet his gaze.
Ethan unhurriedly walked over. The sound of his leather shoes hitting the floor, step by step, was like a countdown to a bomb detonation as he slowly approached me.
He easily lifted me by the arms, making me sit on his lap and forcing me to meet his eyes.
“Aria looks beautiful today. Why keep your head down?”
