Chapter 3

Now, they were even borrowing Grandpa's belongings.

I glared at Shiloh and said, "Give it back."

The smile on his face froze. He reasoned, "Morgan, we only have one last shot. I'll give it back as soon as we're done."

"Give it back. I'm not repeating myself," I ordered.

Shiloh was clearly starting to panic. He looked like he wanted to say something, but ultimately kept quiet. "Hey, I didn't know this meant so much to you. Lucas told me it was just an accessory you were going to wear at the wedding."

I turned to Wendy and asked, "He might not have known, but what about you?"

When Wendy saw things taking a turn, she immediately tried to placate me, but her words betrayed her patience.

"Honey, it's just a pocket watch. Besides, I already told Shiloh to be careful with it. Did you really have to embarrass him in front of so many people?"

I found this entire situation ridiculous. I walked up to Shiloh and warned him, "Give the watch back right now. Don't make me do something I'll regret."

Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Shiloh reluctantly took the pocket watch off.

I took it from him, my fingertips slowly tracing the glass. When Grandpa passed away, Wendy had stayed with me in my hometown for three days. She knew perfectly well how important this pocket watch was to me.

I looked at the shop manager and said, "Cancel every wedding-related booking. All of them."

Wendy finally couldn't hold back any longer. "Morgan Lockhart, haven't you had enough? You're a grown man. Do you really have to call off our wedding over these trivial things?"

"Wendy, you're truly selfish," I utter, tucking the pocket watch into my inner pocket. "Now, I've finally seen you for who you really are."

Seeing that I was truly angry, she immediately put on a wounded expression. "Honey, after Shiloh leaves, I'll apologize and explain everything to you, okay? You've really got the wrong idea."

However, I simply found her behavior absurd.

"I've taken what's mine. The rest is nothing but garbage. Whoever wants it can have it."

I had barely made it a few steps away from the wedding venue when my phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket. It was the photographer from earlier. He had sent me several screenshots. He was also in the "No One Stays Young Forever" group chat.

Lyra: "You've already got the marriage certificate. It'd just be a waste not to take some commemorative photos."

Miles quickly replied: "Shiloh will be leaving soon. Why don't we arrange a three-day trip while we're at it? It'd be a good way to put a proper end to the love you two shared at 18."

Lucas asked: "Don't you think we're going a little too far? Morgan would flip if he found out."

Lyra sent a laughing emoji and replied: "He is very patient. He'll get over it after a couple of days at most. Don't ruin everyone's fun because of him."

After a few minutes, Lucas replied: "Fine. I'll return everything as soon as we're done with the photos."

I turned off my phone and called a committee member for the National Home Design Competition at the number I had saved earlier.

"Mr. Lind, is the spot you mentioned for the pre-competition training camp still available?"

There was a brief pause on the other end before I got a reply. "Didn't you turn down the spot six months ago because you were getting married?"

Six months ago, that committee had contacted me, saying they needed to select a group of promising designers for a six-month intensive course.

At the time, I was busy preparing for the wedding, so I turned it down without a second thought. Back then, I thought there was nothing more important than Wendy. Once we were married, I would have plenty of time to pursue my career.

I answered, "I'm not getting married anymore. I can report for training right away."