Chapter 4

The living room fell silent for a moment.

Then, I heard Xavier say, "You won't be alone."

There was a knock on my door.

Xavier stood at the doorway.

"Wanda, Abigail's award ceremony is something she'll only experience once in her lifetime. It really matters to her," he began cautiously. "Why don't we move our wedding to the evening?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

How many weddings did a person even get in their lifetime?

"Who holds a wedding at night? Only second marriages are held at night," the housekeeper muttered.

Mom immediately scolded her, "That's nonsense! You're young. Don't believe in pointless superstitions."

Xavier looked at me with a firm expression. "Are you okay with that, Wanda? I know how understanding you are."

I met his gaze.

Suddenly, memories of when I was younger hit me.

Back then, I had finally won an award in a drawing competition and was excited for my parents to come watch me receive it. But they said Abigail's speech competition was more important and went to watch her compete instead.

Xavier pitied me. "Don't worry. I'll definitely be there when you receive your award."

In the end, he went to Abigail's speech competition too.

I stood alone on the stage while everyone else's parents cheered.

Years later, I was still alone.

"Sure. I'm fine with it. Let's move the wedding to the evening."

After all, it didn't matter when the wedding was held if it wasn't really for me.

Once they got the answer they wanted, they started celebrating. Laughter filled the living room.

By the end of the night, Xavier was drunk.

They said that drunken words were sober thoughts.

I looked into his dazed eyes and blurted, "Xavier, are you looking forward to our wedding?"

He didn't answer.

The wind slipped between us.

"Then, why did you confess to me? Why did you choose to be with me?"

I knew he did it just to spite Abigail, but I wanted to hear him say it himself.

His voice was slurred with alcohol.

"Just finding someone who's even half as much like her is the best I could hope for," he rambled. "Besides, you're her sister. Being with you means I can still see her…"

The wind stung my eyes.

By the time I realized it, I had already run out of tears.

The truth was far crueler than I expected.

…

On the day of the wedding, the house was already bustling before sunrise. None of it was for my wedding, though.

They were picking out outfits, doing their makeup, and planning how to get to Abigail's awards ceremony.

I walked out of my room, fully dressed. "I'm going to skip the award ceremony. I still have things to take care of for the wedding."

Xavier didn't even look up. He was busy making sure Abigail had everything she needed.

"Sure, go ahead. Don't keep the guests waiting."

I picked up a small bag and left the house.

Then, I headed straight to the airport.

As my car pulled away, I saw Xavier's car in the rearview mirror. My family happily got into it and left for Abigail's award ceremony.

…

The ceremony lasted for four hours.

Meanwhile, four hours later, I had landed in South City.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from Xavier.

"Wanda, since the wedding isn't until tonight, let's skip the pre-wedding stuff. I'll head over later. Abigail won't be able to handle things on her own. You can head to the hotel first, okay?"

I stared at the message for a long time.

Then, I blocked him and put my phone away.

Julie came over and hugged me. "Let's go."

Meanwhile, after the awards ceremony had ended, Xavier and the others rushed to the wedding venue.

When they arrived, everything was a mess.

A friend grabbed Xavier's arm.

"Didn't you say the bride would be here first? Why hasn't she shown up yet?"

Xavier froze.

The wedding planner spotted him and hurried over. "Mr. Shepherd, we haven't been able to reach the bride."