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Chapter 23
Marissa left.
She didn’t hesitate, didn’t look back–and somehow, it surprised no one.
Even Tristan and the others, when they heard the news, let out a quiet sigh of relief. Because deep down, they all knew: if Marissa had stayed, every single day would’ve looked just like today- forced smiles, hollow routines, and Declan’s desperate affection weighing her down like chains.
Maybe that’s what people mean by “right love, wrong time.”
They had loved each other, truly. But they’d never been in sync.
When she had loved him with everything she had, Declan had been too proud, too stubborn, too obsessed with proving something to himself. So much so that he gave all his energy and attention to someone who had once thrown him away–never once glancing at the woman who had quietly stood by his side, waiting.
And when she finally gave up and walked away… that’s when he realized what he’d lost.
But love doesn’t wait forever.
A week later, the wedding took place just as planned.
Marissa hadn’t invited her parent
so the role of giving her away–something that should’ve belonged to her father–was taken up by Adrian’s father instead.
She walked down the aisle on his arm, her gown flowing behind her like a soft cloud. From a
distance, she looked like a fairytale princess.
Though it was his son’s wedding, Mr. Carter had the air of a father marrying off his beloved
daughter. He was already wiping at the corners of his eyes before they reached the end of the aisle.
“You punk,” he sniffed as he handed her over to Adrian. “If you ever make her cry, I swear I’ll come after you.”
Adrian looked like he was about to explode with happiness. He took Marissa’s hand with both of his, his voice thick with emotion. “I promise. I’ll protect her. Always. I’ll love her for the rest of my life and never let anything hurt her again.”
Marissa’s ears flushed crimson at the sincerity of it all. She bit her lip, then smiled, her eyes glowing with something soft and full.
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village falls for his childhood friend.
“I believe you.”
The officiant picked up where he left off, smiling like he couldn’t help himself.
“Adrian Carter, do you take Marissa Wynn to be your wife? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“And Marissa Wynn, do you take Adrian Carter to be your husband? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”
Marissa turned and gave his hand a gentle squeeze, her smile blooming like spring sunlight.
“I do.”
As applause rang out from every corner of the hall, the rings were exchanged. The officiant grinned even wider. “Now, by the power vested in me–let’s see a kiss from the newlyweds!”
This was Marissa’s first time doing something so intimate in front of such a big crowd.
She watched Adrian slowly lift her veil, his face drawing closer and closer, breath warm and
mingling with hers–every inch dripping with quiet tenderness.
“Close your eyes, silly.”
With a breathy laugh, she obeyed, cheeks flushed and lips trembling just a little–until his kiss
touched down like a promise she could finally believe in.
From the crowd below, Declan stood frozen.
His chest clenched, and it felt like a thousand needles were stabbing into him at once. But he didn’t
cry out. He had no right to.
Because all of this–every single bit of it–he’d brought upon himself.
His arrogance. His pride. His blindness. That was the price.
And now, surrounded by cheers and music and laughter, Declan turned away and walked out alone.
Inside the ballroom, the celebration went on. Outside, Declan found himself face–to–face with
several officers holding an arrest warrant.
“Westbridge Heights Police Department,” the lead officer said. “Mr. Hawthorne, there’s sufficient
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evidence proving your involvement in unlawful detainment. You are hereby taken into custody.
Please come with us.”
Declan didn’t speak.
He just glanced back toward the ballroom.
Of course. They’d chosen the perfect day to come.
He nodded, didn’t resist, and quietly climbed into the back of the squad car.
The next time Marissa saw Declan… was three months later.
She and Adrian had returned from their honeymoon and spent a few weeks at the Carter estate with
Adrian’s parents. They only began making preparations to return to Crestfall once the overseas clinic made it clear they couldn’t afford to delay any longer.
They were just arriving at the airport when she spotted someone unexpected.
There, sitting casually on the steps outside the terminal, was Declan.
A few stray cats circled him, meowing as they pawed at the food in his hand. He absently scratched
one behind the ear.
And then he looked up–and locked eyes with her.
He stood, lifting a kitten with one hand as he walked over slowly.
“This time,” he said quietly, “you’re leaving for good, aren’t you?”
Marissa nodded. It was answer enough.
Declan let out a soft, bitter laugh and glanced away.
“Then I guess this is goodbye. Safe travels.”
He watched them disappear into the crowd.
They wouldn’t be coming back.
And he couldn’t leave.
This time, goodbye… really meant forever.
Prologue
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In a divided village, a young man from the lower village falls for his childhood friend.
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