All Chapters of The Morning After : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The doorbell rang at exactly 7:00 a.m.Audrey groaned into her pillow, face half-buried in the sheets. For a second she thought she was still dreaming. Then it rang again, longer and more insistent.She sat up slowly, her hair a complete mess, eyes barely open. She hadn’t brushed her teeth. She hadn’t washed her face. She was still wearing her pajamas.“Who the hell rings someone’s door by this time?” she muttered, dragging herself out of bed.The doorbell rang a third time.Audrey stumbled down the stairs, squinting against the morning light as she unlocked the door and pulled it open.Claire stood there, perfectly dressed, tablet in hand, expression calm. Behind her were two other women — one holding a folder, the other carrying a black case.Audrey just stared in disbelief.“Good morning, Miss Holloway,” Claire said politely. “We’re on a tight schedule today.”Audrey blinked, still half-asleep. “What’s the time?”Claire checked her watch. “Seven, any problem?”“Yes.” She sighed. “

The black car arrived at exactly 8:30 a.m. Audrey was already downstairs, arms crossed, a small bag hanging from her shoulder. She had actually prepared, but she still looked like someone being taken somewhere against her will. The driver stepped out and opened the back door. Before Audrey could get in, a familiar voice called out behind her. “Wait for me!” She turned around. Nori was jogging toward the car, sunglasses pushed up on her head. Audrey stared at her. “What are you doing here?” “I told you I’m coming,” Nori said, slightly out of breath as she stopped beside her. “You thought I was joking?” “Nori—” “I’m already here. Let’s go.” The driver looked uncertain, but Audrey just sighed and climbed into the car. Nori followed without hesitation, sliding in beside her. As the car pulled away, Nori looked around the interior and raised an eyebrow. “So this is how the other side lives. I already like this.” Audrey leaned her head back against the seat. “You’

Claire was already waiting when Audrey came downstairs. “We’re going to the bakery first,” she said, tablet in hand as usual. “Cake tasting. Then the invitation proof. It shouldn’t take the whole day.” Nori slid her sunglasses on. “Finally. Something that involves food.” Audrey didn’t say anything. The bakery was smaller than she expected, but the moment they stepped inside, the smell of sugar hit her. Glass displays lined the walls, filled with cakes, pastries, and delicate designs that looked too pretty to eat. An older woman behind the counter looked up and smiled when she saw Claire. “Claire. It’s been a while.” “Rose,” Claire greeted. “We’re here for the Chevrolet-Holloway cake tasting.” Rose’s eyes moved to Audrey with polite interest. “So this is the bride.” Audrey gave a small, awkward smile. “That’s me.” “She’s a quiet one,” Rose said lightly, already wiping her hands on her apron. “Come, sit. I’ve prepared a few samples.” They sat at a small table near t

It was time. Wedding day. By the time the wedding day arrived, most of the people in Audrey’s life already knew. She had told Ethan first over the phone. There was a long silence on his end before he asked if she was okay. He went quiet for a few seconds and said, “If this is what you need, then okay… but I’m still coming.” Larry took it harder at the moment. She told him at the apartment one evening, and he actually laughed at first, disbelievingly before realizing she was serious. He paced for a bit, asked if she was being forced, asked if she had thought it through. It took him some time to process but he supported her choice. A few others found out in pieces. Some coworkers. A couple of people from her old life. Most of them reacted the same way: shock first, then awkward acceptance. Nobody really knew what to say about a wedding like hers. And then the day itself came. Audrey sat in the private suite with Nori, the heavy dress already on. Outside the door, the hotel

Audrey woke up to sunlight slipping through curtains. For a second she forgot where she was. She sat up, rubbed her face, and dragged herself out of bed. After using the bathroom and splashing water on her face, she headed downstairs—the cotton pajamas. The house felt even bigger in the morning. When she reached the kitchen, Vasileios was already there. He stood by the counter in black joggers and a plain t-shirt, hair slightly messy, a mug in one hand and his phone in the other. There was a plate with toast and eggs on the counter. He looked up, “Morning,” he said. Audrey hesitated. “Morning.” She walked in, keeping her distance as she went toward the fridge. She opened the fridge and bent slightly to look inside, even though she wasn’t fully sure of what she wanted. Behind her, she heard him set his mug down. “Slept good?” “Fine,” she said without looking back. When she closed the fridge, he was closer than she expected. She turned and nearly stepped into him.