Chapter 7:
At the hotel, my brother went to handle our parents while Gerald led me to the bridal suite for my makeup. Otherwise, if my mother saw how badly injured I was, she’d be devastated. On such a joyous day, I didn’t want her to feel even a trace of
sadness
As the makeup artist worked on me, she chatted lightheartedly, her tone full of admiration. “Miss Stanton, you’re such a lucky bride. I’ve heard the Hoffmans have been planning this wedding for months, just to make it absolutely spectacular for you.”
I lowered my gaze to the wedding dress draped over me, the intricate embroidery shimmering under the soft glow of the vanity lights. It was even more exquisite than the one I had originally customized. A thought crept into my mind–had Gerald truly been preparing for this wedding all along?
My suspicions only deepened when Gerald knocked gently on the door, stepping inside with a small velvet box in his hands. When he opened it, revealing a pair of elegant satin wedding gloves, my chest tightened X
His gaze softened as he said, “Arabelle, wear these later so your mother won’t notice your injury”
The consideration in his voice, the warmth in his eyes–it stirred something deep within me.X
Once everything was ready, I walked toward Gerald, my steps perfectly aligned with the rhythm of the wedding march. As the officiant posed the fateful question, I didn’t hesitate.X
“I do” I answered, my voice steady and clear.
It was the first time I had gone against my family’s wishes when I chose Jonah, I had always believed that, having been raised by my parents, my judgment wouldn’t be so poor. Yet, reality had crushed that illusion–I had been utterly blind.
For six years, I had loved Jonah with everything I had, only to be left with nothing but pain and scars.
A real, physical scar.
The doctor had already warned me that even after my hand healed, a mark would remain. But I accepted it without complaint
it was the price I paid for stubbornly chasing after a love that had never truly existed.!!
I should have seen the signs earlier, Jonah had always refused to visit my parents, brushing off every invitation with vaque excuses. My father had disliked him from the start and my mother had voiced her concerns time and again.
Gerald, on the other hand, had done the opposite. He had gone out of his way to visit my home, playing chess with my father, chatting with my mother and always treating them with the utmost respect. Despite his feelings for me, he had never crossed any boundanes or pressured me.
Perhaps, if I had paid more attention to the details, I would have seen the difference sooner.
As we exchanged rings, Gerald’s gaze never wavered. In his eyes, there was only me.
A man who cherished me so deeply–someone who put me first even when I never gave him the same consideration–was someone worth spending a lifetime with. Even if love was absent, trust and respect remained and I believed in my parents‘ judgment.
Because of my injured hand, some of the planned wedding games were canceled. But even so, this grand ceremony was no less extravagant than Jonah’s wedding.
Once the wedding concluded, my parents didn’t ask why I suddenly had a change of heart. Instead, they sent me off with Gerald, their only request being that I cherish him.
The moment my parents left, Gerald wasted no time. He took me straight to the hospital, where the doctor performed a thorough examination and presented several options for scar removal.
Throughout the process, Gerald’s expression remained grim, his fists clenched as he listened to the doctor’s words. My brother, who had just returned from escorting our parents home, looked even angrier.
I reached out and gently smoothed out the furrow between my brother’s brows, then did the same to Gerald.!!
“Didn’t the doctor say they’ll do their best to remove the scar? It’s just a mark. Everyone has them and it’s not even on my face. Can you two stop looking so worried?“!!
I tried to sound lighthearted, not wanting them to dwell on it. But my brother had already looked into everything.!!
Meanwhile, Jonah’s wedding had spiraled into chaos. His calls had started hours ago, one after another, each more frantic than the last.S
I didn’t answer a single one.
When he failed to reach me, he turned to my brother.
My brother glanced at his phone. A second later, his expression darkened and his grip on the device tightened before he suddenly exploded.
“Jonah, you son of a bitch! Who gave you the guts
ts to stab my sister?”
His voice was a furious roar, shaking the quiet hospital room.!!
