A Love Misgiven

My brother, Henry Larson, laughed over the phone with a hint of surprise."Jennifer, you've finally seen the light. You're the Larsen family's golden girl, but that guy? He's just a nobody from the sticks. He's not in your league."I inhaled deeply, calming myself down from the verge of tears and forced a breezy tone."Yeah, you've got a point, Henry.""Jennifer, remember that guy our parents wanted you to marry? The one who looks like he's lost his soul every time he sees you?" Henry asked."You mean the high-and-mighty prince of the social elite?" I asked, unsure."Yeah, I need to go tell that guy. He's got his chance now."Henry's words brought back memories of the man I had turned down. He came to me with flowers, ready to confess his love, but my heart belonged to Edward Carter, and I rejected him right there and then."You have no idea. He's been waiting for you to be single again. He even joked the other day about swooping in if your boyfriend doesn't treat you right," h

I grabbed a quick breakfast and remembered the wedding dress I had ordered a month ago was ready to be picked up. I drove to the bridal shop on my own.The manager was there, and I told him why I had come."Hello. I'm here for the wedding dress I ordered a month back."He looked at me, puzzled. "Ms. Larsen, didn't someone pick up your dress a couple of days ago?"I froze, shocked. It had to have been Edward.The manager caught my silence and quickly jumped in with an explanation."Ms. Larsen, I wasn't in the store that day, but let me get the surveillance tape for you."In no time, a clerk was by our side with the video ready to play.There on the screen was Chloe, draped in my wedding gown, her cheeks pink with shyness."Edward, do I look good in this?" she asked.Edward gazed at her, all soft and gooey, and said, "You look stunning. Give me a pinch, will you? I need to know this isn't just a dream. For years, I could only dream of marrying you."He took Chloe's hand gently

Edward, trying to mask his anxiety, snapped, "Mind your own business."Jack just sighed, unable to argue.They were about to head inside when the security guard stopped them."Sorry, but the groom's bride has just arrived."My wedding car pulled up smoothly in front of the entrance. The security guy stepped up and swung the door open for me.Clutching the skirt of my fancy wedding dress, I was all set to breeze past Edward and his crew without a glance.However, Edward blocked my path. "Jennifer, what are you doing here?"Seeing Edward again, I felt a wave of calm wash over me.I kept my cool and said, "I'm here to tie the knot."Edward was losing his patience. "Jennifer, I've told you, today's bride is Chloe, and that's that."I bit my lip, my voice icy as I replied, "Who said I was marrying you?"Chloe turned on the waterworks. "This is my final wish, Jennifer. Once the wedding's done, I'll hand Edward back to you. Just let me have this."As if. She could fool Edward, but

Edward knew Henry, and he knew that Henry had just landed the top job at the Larsen Group.So, if he was not joking, did not that make me a big deal?Edward fought to push away the suspicion creeping into his mind, refusing to believe it."Too much to handle?" Henry asked, his voice suddenly serious, a stark change from his usual laid-back attitude."Jennifer is our family's jewel. At home, we can't even bring ourselves to raise our voices at her, yet here you are."After being with you, she's been through the wringer, and you've been picking on her for some conniving woman."Do you really think you can push around the Larsen family's golden girl?"When the truth hit him, Edward was rocked. He stumbled back, his eyes brimming with regret."No, I had no idea Jennifer was the golden girl of your family. I only married Chloe to grant her last wish. Once she passed, I was going to marry Jennifer. That was the plan."My brother sneered again, "What makes you so sure my sister would

However, Edward's search came up empty.That was when it hit him.The apology gift he had put so much thought into was already in Chloe's hands.He tugged at his hair in a mix of frustration and panic.It was only then, in that frantic moment, that the truth crashed down on him.Edward had truly lost me.He lost the one who saw only him, whose heart was filled with him.Finally, he cradled his head in his hands, his face buried in his knees.What started as silent tears escalated into heart-wrenching sobs.Life with Thomas was smooth sailing, and Edward had not sought me out in ages.He had bombarded me with messages, trying to explain.However, his words fell on deaf ears. I was past caring. His apology was a day late and a dollar short.Fed up, I blocked him without a second thought.I caught wind of his company hitting rock bottom.I used to be the one keeping the business afloat. Since we split, I had not given it a second glance.However, Edward filing for bankruptc