Chapter 4

Claire handed me the tablet. On the homepage design, the main welcome photo had already been swapped from the one of me and Clifton together to a solo shot of Jenna.

The line "Clifton's Bride" had not been used. Instead, it was replaced with a short inscription—"May all regrets be gently cherished."

"Who chose those words?" I asked.

Claire glanced toward the door. "Mr. Cooper just signed off on it."

Clifton pushed the door open. In his hand was a glass of warm water.

He handed it to Jenna before looking at me. "Heidi, you're here. Perfect timing. A bunch of Jenna's friends from her support group are coming, and I've gone ahead and added more tables."

"What about my colleagues and friends?" I asked calmly.

He spoke as if it were the most trivial matter, saying, "Just move them further back for now. Jenna's friends are all in poor health, so it's more convenient for them to sit closer to the door."

I looked at the names that had been pushed into the corner of the tablet. Among them were my college roommate, the teacher who had once praised my paintings, and the only former colleague I had invited from my previous company.

Clifton gently squeezed my wrist. "The wedding is just for show. Don't get hung up on the seating, alright?"

Jenna sat in her wheelchair, her eyes reddening again. "Heidi, are you still upset with me? Maybe I just shouldn't come."

Mom immediately glared at me. "Jenna has worn herself out just to attend your wedding. What more do you want?"

I pulled my hand free from Clifton's. "I never said she couldn't come."

Clifton nodded with satisfaction. "That's more like it."

During lunch, Jenna suddenly clutched her chest, her breathing rapid.

She said there was a specialist in the next town over who could do a consultation, and the appointment happened to fall on the morning of the wedding.

Mom panicked on the spot. She grabbed my arm and said, "Heidi, cancel the daytime lawn wedding and change it to an indoor evening ceremony. We're going with Clifton to take Jenna to see the specialist. No one has time for your nonsense."

"Evening works just fine. It'll be too windy on the lawn anyway, and Jenna can't handle that. We'll rush back in the afternoon. It won't delay anything," Clifton chimed in without hesitation.

I looked at him. "So, we're skipping the first look, the vows, and the photos?"

"Those are just formalities. You're the most understanding person, so I'm sure you can be reasonable about this," he replied gently.

I nodded. "Fine. Let's change it to the evening."

Clifton looked at me, visibly relieved. "Don't be so cold, Heidi. After the wedding, I'll take you to buy a new bracelet."

I didn't offer a response.

In the early evening, I returned to the marital home. Once there, I turned on my computer and changed the train ticket to Mannorworth to 10:00 am on the wedding day.

Then, I contacted the old man who collected used goods, Derek Neff, and arranged for him to come by at 6:30 am.

After finishing all this, I placed the old paintbrush into the innermost compartment of my suitcase.

….

On the wedding day, just as the sky began to lighten, Clifton carried Jenna, wrapped up snugly, into the car. Mom held the medicine bag, and Dad urged the driver to hurry.

The car window rolled down, and Clifton looked at me. "Take a cab to the hotel and get your makeup done. Be good, and I'll give you an unforgettable wedding tonight."

Jeanna leaned against his shoulder and said softly, "Heidi, I really appreciate all this."

After the car drove off, I turned around and went back upstairs.

Mr. Neff arrived right on time. I carried all the clothes, books, daily necessities, and even the potted pothos downstairs.

The house was soon empty.

The Just Married banner still stuck on the window was painfully glaring.

At 10:00 am, the train slowly pulled out of the station.

I deleted Clifton's and my parents' contact information and deactivated my WhatsApp. Then, I pulled out my SIM card and tossed it into the trash bag.

…

At 7:00 pm, the hotel lobby was brilliantly lit.

Clifton wheeled Jenna in. Mom and Dad trailed beside them, their faces fixed with exhausted but presentable smiles.

The moment David saw them, he rushed over.

"Mr. Cooper, Ms. Shaw never showed up at all. Her phone is switched off, and she has gone completely off the grid."