Chapter 7

"Cosmo, this is our wedding we're talking about, and you're just going to give it to Selene?" Julian grabbed hold of Cosmo.

"Stop this right now. I only asked you to apologize—I never said to give up the wedding too. The person I want to marry has always been you."

"It's just a wedding. It's not like that makes you husband and wife in the eyes of the law. We'll still be the ones registering our marriage at the city hall tomorrow," Cosmo explained with a smile.

"She's right, Julian. Since Cosmo's already said so, what are you still hesitating for?"

Gloria finally broke into a smile. She looped her arm through Cosmo's and nodded in approval.

"Cosmo, you did the right thing here. Selene lost her child because of you, so it's only right that you make it up to her with a wedding."

The others chimed in as well.

"Selene, haven't you always wanted to be with Julian openly? After this wedding, you two won't have to hide your relationship anymore."

"Really?" Selene looked at Cosmo, still unable to quite believe it. "Cosmo, does this mean you're okay with me and Julian being together?"

Cosmo held back her disgust and kept a smile on her face.

"Yes. After all, one of you is my best friend and the other is the person I love the most. So, how could I bear to lose either of you?"

Selene burst into tears of joy.

Julian, just as overcome, pulled her into his arms.

"You're the best, Cosmo. I love you. I can promise you that the person I love most will always be you and you only. Once the wedding is over, we'll go to the city hall first thing tomorrow morning to register our marriage."

"Okay," Cosmo replied with a nod. "I still have some matters to attend to, so I'll be going now."

Julian was a little reluctant to let her go. "Will you come to the wedding tonight?"

"I'd rather not go. It'd hurt too much to watch." Cosmo turned and gave Julian one last look. "Julian, I wish you happiness."

With that, she left without looking back.

As he watched her walk away resolutely, Julian couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He moved to go after Cosmo, but Selene clung to him tightly.

"This is wonderful, Julian. We can finally be together forever."

Once she'd left the room, Cosmo hurried over to Cathleen's ward. She had originally wanted to ask whether Cathleen was willing to leave with her. But the moment she arrived, she heard Cathleen on the phone.

"That's great. Seeing as I've always treated Selene as my own daughter, I'll attend tonight's wedding as her mother.

"No, Cosmo won't be angry. After all, it was her own idea—surely she isn't going to go back on it now.

"It's fine. Don't worry about her. All that matters is that Selene is happy."

The moment Cosmo heard this, whatever familial love she had left in her heart was severed for good. She lowered her head and smiled, the light in her eyes gradually dimming.

Since Cathleen had chosen Selene as her daughter, then Cosmo would grant her that.

Finding Cathleen's smile glaring, Cosmo withdrew her gaze and turned to leave the hospital. No sooner had she taken a few steps than she received a message from Riley.

"Ms. Foster, a buyer has offered three million dollars for your house. Do you think you can transfer the title today?"

"Yes. I'll be right there."

Cosmo rushed over and signed the contract with the buyer. With that done, she handed over the keys. Then, she took her suitcase and hailed a taxi to the airport.

Her flight wasn't until the next morning. Rather than get a hotel, she just waited it out at the airport for 15 hours straight.

That night, she received a video from Gloria.

The wedding venue was bustling with excitement.

Wearing a pure white wedding dress, Selene walked slowly toward the stage. And standing at the center of the stage was the man Cosmo had dreamed of marrying.

Cathleen sat at the main table below, her eyes brimming with tears for the two people who had betrayed Cosmo.

Gloria had also sent a message.

"Cosmo, thank you for letting Julian and Selene be together. You'll always be my best friend."

Cosmo let out a mocking laugh after reading the message.

Fiance, best friend, friends, and even her own mother—she was done with them all.

"Attention passengers, this is the final boarding call for Califax."

After blocking everyone, Cosmo rose from her chair. Then, she picked up her suitcase and walked resolutely to the security checkpoint.

She mentally bade Julian farewell. She never wanted to see any of those scumbags for as long as she lived.