Chapter 19
Shaw’s expression flickered under the dim light, a trace of guilt flashing across his face-
but it vanished just as quickly.
“Summer may have saved me once, but it was Wilder who gave me a second life. My loyalty belongs to him.”
Wilder said nothing. Only when they mentioned Summer did a ripple of emotion flicker across his face.
He motioned for Ben to come closer, his lashes trembling as he slowly raised his eyes.
“You… you really don’t know where Summer is?”
Ben’s face tightened. Just as he opened his mouth to answer–the door suddenly burst open.
“We found her! We found Summer!”
Wilder’s expression shifted instantly.
Shaw jumped to his feet. “Where? Tell me where she is!”
The man who burst in bent over, gasping for air, sweat dripping from his temples onto the floor.
“She’s in New York!”
Wilder’s whole body jolted.
His hand instinctively clenched the bedsheet.
His voice was hoarse, but laced with barely contained excitement.
He tried to get out of bed, but the pain shot through him like lightning and he fell back with a wince.
Shaw rushed to support him, but Wilder grabbed his arm tightly.
“Book the flight. We’re going–now!”
Shaw frowned, trying to talk him down.
“Wilder, we already know where she is. She just went home–she’s not going anywhere. Let’s wait till your leg’s a bit better before we go.”
But Wilder felt uneasy.
Shaw didn’t know her past. Summer would never go back to Riverbrook.
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She hated that place–hated that so–called family.
“No. We leave now!” He made another move to get up.
Just then, the guy who brought the news hesitated.
His expression darkened. “Wilder… there’s one more thing…”
“Summer… she’s getting married.”
The words exploded in his mind like a bomb.
“What?!” Shaw was the first to react, disbelief written all over his face.
Wilder froze, his brain blanking out as his mouth opened–only no words came out.
Shaw yanked the guy by the collar, eyes sharp.
“You sure? You’re absolutely sure it’s Summer getting married?!”
The man nodded with a trembling voice.
“Y–yes. It’s her.”
Wilder’s voice caught in his throat. It came out hoarse and hollow.
“No… That’s not possible…”
“I’m her husband. Summer’s only doing this to get back at me. That has to be it…”
His eyes filled with panic.
Ben stepped forward, speaking deliberately.
“Wilder, it’s not impossible. She didn’t know the marriage certificate between you two was fake.
But now that she does… well, legally speaking, she’s single.”
Wilder froze.
Right.
He had forgotten.
15
It was him who ordered someone to forge a marriage certificate with Summer’s name–and that
very afternoon, he’d gone to City Hall with Grace to get a real one.
A searing pain ripped through his chest.
“Shaw, book the tickets. I’m going back. Now.”
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Shaw knew there was no stopping him. He reluctantly made the arrangements.
But just before leaving the room, he cast one more glance at Ben–only to be met with Ben’s cold,
defiant stare.
The plane soared through the sky, but Wilder’s heart refused to calm for even a second.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Summer was already buried in wedding prep chaos the night before the ceremony.
Caleb, worried she’d wear herself out, had taken on nearly all the work himself,
In the end, she could only sit and watch him run around like a whirlwind.
Knowing she didn’t have many close friends in New York, Caleb chose not to have bridesmaids or
groomsmen.
Summer watched him plan the whole thing so seriously, guilt surfacing quietly in her chest.
Because she knew…
This wedding wouldn’t go off without a twist.
Later, Caleb came into her room with a cup of warm milk.
She was in the shower, so he left it on the table and quietly stepped out.
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
“Mr. Stone, Mrs. Reeves has released the news. With so many guests tomorrow, if something goes wrong, how are we going to handle it?”
Caleb lowered his gaze.
“Add more security. Keep her safe.”
“But sir… this is your long–awaited wedding. To have it ruined like this-”
Silence stretched on the other end.
Just as the assistant assumed Caleb wouldn’t respond, his voice came through at last.
“We’re not her. We haven’t lived through what she has. No matter what she wants to do-
I’ll stand by her.”
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Behind him, Summer had quietly stepped out, her gaze downcast as she turned and walked away.
Chapter 19
