Chapter 4

Colin's POV

I pressed a hand against my aching heart and made my way toward the dressing room, one step at a time. A long time passed before I finally reached the room.

I could have just ended things right then and there by leaving the church. However, I couldn't just abandon the stylist who I had hired even though I planned to skip my own wedding.

I was breathing heavily when I pushed the door open. I was then stunned by the sight before me.

The famous stylist who I had booked two years in advance was being scolded by Vera like a child. Tears had welled up in her eyes and threatened to spill down her cheeks.

"You came at the perfect time," Vera said while pushing a pile of makeup products toward me. "Steve said that you're being unfair. You're using high-grade products while forcing him to use unregulated ones. You also plan to change his styling and replace his groomsman suit with an old, tattered one later."

I frowned but didn't say a single word.

Were they trying to cause a fuss again?

Steve scratched his head before apologizing to me out of the blue. "I'm sorry, Colin. I shouldn't be here, and I shouldn't have tried to steal your spotlight. I didn't think things through. I'm willing to change out of my current outfit. In fact, I can even go naked!"

I scoffed and said, "I never told the stylist to do such things, and I would never do anything of the sort!"

However, Vera didn't believe me. She was certain that I wanted to take revenge.

"Your way of playing hard to get is so despicable, Colin Graham. Did you think that I would coax you if you behave like this?"

I shook my head, saying, "I don't need you to coax me."

"What's with the attitude?" Vera snapped. "You want to take revenge just because I bought cake and soda for Steve? You must apologize to him."

"Why would I apologize for something that I didn't do?" I retorted.

Vera ran a frustrated hand through her hair before she stormed over to me. Her painted nails were very long, making me hiss in pain when she dug them into my flesh.

"I don't have time to mess around with you, Colin. The wedding ceremony is starting in half an hour. Apologize now, or I'll refuse to show up for the ceremony."

A genuine laugh that came from the bottom of my heart burst through my lips.

Vera was still under the impression that she could threaten me, but I no longer cared about what she did.

My frosty attitude thoroughly angered her. She was about to lose her temper when Steve hastily stopped her.

"Stop it, Vera. It's supposed to be your big day. I'm the one who's at fault here. You should hurry to the hall to entertain the guests. Leave the rest to me."

Vera was briefly stunned before she nodded. However, she didn't forget to make a scathing remark about me before she left, saying, "Just look at you. You're not even half the man that Steve is."

I approached the stylist after she left and spoke to her in a hushed voice.

The stylist swiftly packed her things and prepared to leave with me.

Assuming that we were going next door to get me ready for the wedding ceremony, Steve waved his hand, pretending to be magnanimous as he said, "I won't take your actions to heart. You can go ahead and get the groom ready first."

The stylist was rendered speechless by his words and helplessly shook her head.

…

Third-Person POV

Half an hour later, the hall was illuminated by dazzling lights.

Excitement began to build among the crowd.

The host read from his script as planned. He fixed an excited expression on his face as he looked at the sealed doors and said the words that everyone had been anticipating.

"Next, let us give a round of applause to the most handsome groom!

"Three… Two… One!"

The doors swung open, but there was no one waiting behind them.

The host was flabbergasted. He rushed to the dressing room backstage to look for Vera. His voice was shaking when he asked, "Where's the groom?"

Vera lifted her skirts and began searching for Colin everywhere, but he was nowhere to be found in the church.

Panic gripped her heart at that moment.