I stood frozen, my gaze hollow like the world had just been torn away from me.
“She… She’s getting married?” I echoed numbly.
“Yes, sir. The source is solid.”
“How could she…” My voice cracked, my emotions splitting through me like a frozen lake beginning to shatter. “How could she move on so fast? How could she… marry someone else so easily?“}
My voice fell to a whisper, hoarse with disbelief.§
I bolted upright. “Get the car. I’m going to the airport.”}
The assistant tried to stop me. “Sir, your grandfather’s still in critical condition—”}
“I don’t care!” I was nearly unhinged. “I’m going to find her–right now!“>
Virginia’s POVE
At 12:33 PM, outside the Harris County Clerk, the sun was warm and the breeze gentle.}
Fordy and I stepped out together, side by side, through the glass doors. In his hand, he held our freshly stamped marriage license. His eyes were calm, and his smile–soft, almost boyish.
Soon, you’ll be my wife,” he said quietly.
Plooked up at him, lips curling slightly. My body felt whole again. And my heart? Light as air.
I had let go of Slade completely. I was ready for a new beginning.”
We were just about to step down the stairs when a sharp, furious voice sliced through the calm.}
“You’re getting married?!“}
Slade’s voice, rough and twisted with disbelief, came from across the road.
I froze.
There he was–that painfully familiar silhouette, running toward me in a mess of crumpled suit and undone collar.
“Virginia! You’re marrying him? You’re actually marrying him?! How could you?!“}]
I didn’t flinch. “Why couldn’t I?”
Fordy, my soon–to–be husband, stepped protectively in front of me, stopping Slade in his tracks.
Slade looked up, his eyes bloodshot. “I know I was wrong. I know I hurt you… But do you really have to marry him just to spite me?!”
I met his gaze, my voice flat and cold.
“Slade, I gave you a thousand chances. From the day I found out I was pregnant. From the moment I fell and no one reached for me. From that night I walked away alone through every cruel word thrown at me.”
“You had so many chances to choose me. Every time… you chose to hurt me instead.“}
His body swayed, the color draining from his face.
“I never stopped loving you,” he whispered.
My heart trembled, but my expression didn’t.
“I didn’t know what love was,” he confessed. “I thought you were just someone convenient–someone to fit into my life, to stand where ! needed you to. I didn’t realize until you were gone… that you were the reason I even wanted to keep living.”
He took a step closer, nearly falling to his knees. “Virginia, I love you. Truly. Not for the baby, not out of guilt. I just want you back.”
He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out his phone, scrolling furiously. One photo after another flashed across the screen.
“I went back to all the places we traveled. I kept your notes… I bought your favorite orange–scented candles, your fountain pen… I dream about you every night. I wake up thinking you’re home again.”
His voice broke. “I watched you fall… I didn’t reach out. I deserve your hate. But please–don’t marry someone else…”
