Chapter 4

They knew they were crossing the line; they were simply certain that I would not leave Celine.

I closed the screenshot and dialed a number I had not contacted for half a year. "Mr. Gordo, is the job abroad still available?"

There was a two-second silence on the other end. "Didn't you refuse because you were getting married?"

Half a year ago, the headquarters abroad invited me to be on-site for a year. The work visa had been processed, but I ended up choosing to stay. At the time, Celine held me and said we would have many opportunities to go abroad together after the wedding.

I looked at my reflection in the glass display window. "The wedding has been cancelled. I can go now."

"The work there will officially start next week. You must arrive by the day after tomorrow at the latest."

"Okay."

"The fastest flight is at 11:40 pm tomorrow night. Will you catch it in time?"

I tightened my grip on the watch box. "I'll be on time."

The next day, I signed the on-site assignment contract and cancelled the hotel and wedding services. The moving company moved the last few boxes of my belongings. By the time I returned to my marital home, it was 7:00 pm.

Hailey had already opened the wine I prepared for the wedding. Jordan was sitting on the couch, showing Dylan pictures of a beachfront hotel. Isaac brought out a fruit platter from the kitchen, noticeably pausing when he saw me. "Gabriel, you're back."

Celine looked up from the dining room. "We don't have enough glasses. Go get two more."

In the past, I was always the one preparing the food and cleaning up after every gathering. This time, I did not move. A few seconds later, Isaac silently turned and went to the kitchen.

Halfway through the meal, Hailey raised her glass. "Dylan's leaving soon. We discussed it and decided to let Celine accompany him to the beach for three nights tomorrow. It's not a honeymoon. Just call it a graduation trip we never took back when we were 18."

Celine looked at me. "I'll be back in three days. After I get back, I'll handle the formalities with Dylan. It won't affect the wedding. I didn't want to tell you because I was afraid you'd overthink it."

Dylan put down his glass. "Gabriel, don't worry. I already have the certificate and photos. I just want these three days of memories. Celine will still be yours."

Everyone was looking at me as if they were waiting for me to cry, make a scene, and prove that I was indeed petty and immature.

I asked, "What time are you leaving tomorrow?"

Celine paused for a moment. "7:00 am."

"You're going for three days?"

"Yes."

I nodded. "Go ahead."

Hailey smiled immediately. "I told you Gabriel wasn't unreasonable."

Jordan also breathed a sigh of relief. "It would've been great if you'd done this from the beginning. You just had to make things unpleasant for everyone first."

Isaac came over and tried to put his hand on my shoulder. "Gabriel, I knew you'd eventually come to your senses."

I stepped aside to avoid him. "You've gotten the marriage certificate and taken the wedding photos. It won't feel like a wedding without a honeymoon."

Celine frowned. "I told you, it's not a honeymoon."

"Whatever." I glanced at the time and noticed it was 9:30 pm.

The driver's message popped up right on time: [Mr. Steinfeld, I'm downstairs.]

I got up and went into the bedroom. When I emerged, I was carrying a suitcase.

The laughter in the living room stopped.

Celine jumped up abruptly. "What are you doing with your suitcase?"

I took off the ring from my ring finger and placed it on the dining table. The ring clattered, and everyone's gaze fell on it.

"The remaining hotel payment has been canceled, and the wedding contract has been terminated. I've already moved my things out. Celine, it's over between us."

Her expression darkened. "What are you doing? We've notified all the guests. If the wedding's canceled, how are our parents going to clean up this mess?"

Even now, all she cared about was the wedding and saving her reputation.

I grabbed my suitcase.

Jordan immediately blocked the doorway. "Gabriel, Dylan is leaving in three days. We'll talk when they get back."

"Get out of the way."

"Where can you go now?"

I glanced at my phone. It was 10:05 pm. I could still catch my flight.

"You're going on your honeymoon tomorrow. I'm going abroad tonight."