Chapter 7

No wonder he hadn’t tried to contact me for a while he was busy seeing Celine home. I lowered my gaze, hiding the emotions swirling in my eyes. “No, I just mentioned the breakup. We never had a formal confession; he’s at most just a friend. There’s no need to tell him about my marriage.”

Aunt Mina sighed on the other end of the line. “Alright, I don’t understand your generation. By the way, I’ve booked a midnight flight, so I should make it to the wedding.”

“Thanks, Auntie. Please be safe,” I softly answered.

After we hung up, my mom’s frustration boiled over. “After all these years, he hasn’t even given you a proper confession? You wasted ten years on someone like that?” she uttered in disbelief.

“If I had known, I would‘ ve urged you to come back and marry sooner. What kind of person is he?! You‘ ve been defending him in front of us, and I really thought you were happy! How dare you bully my daughter like this!” she huffed in anger.

I gently patted my mom’s hand to soothe her. “I never lied to you. I was genuinely happy at that time.”

Before Celine showed up, things were going well between us. We were so close to reaching our happy ending–how did it all go wrong? I held back the tears threatening to spill and gazed out the window. This unfamiliar city provided a rare sense of calm. It felt like I could start my life anew from this moment.

But when I got home and finished washing up, Mom angrily threw her phone onto the sofa. “Who reported the photos I posted? How does my daughter’s wedding dress bother anyone? Why is there so much hostility online? Can’t people stand to see others live happily?”

Dad adjusted his glasses, frowning.

“Reported? For what reason? Did it get taken down? This is ridiculous! I’m going to call the company to ask about this.”

Suddenly remembering something, I rushed to stop Dad. “No need! It’s probably just that the dress was too expensive, and it might mislead some people. Or maybe there are just people who are envious of the wealthy. It’s fine; if it gets deleted, let it be.”

I picked up my mom’s phone to take a look. Sure enough, it was Lucas‘ Facebook. Just then, my phone rang. To avoid alarming my parents, I expressionlessly returned to my bedroom to answer.

“Ellie, what were vou doing at the bridal shop? Who told you to try on a wedding dress? Who were you with? Alone?” Lucas spoke in one breath.

“I told you to come home–don’t you get it? I’ve been waiting for you here for ages. Don’t push my buttons!”

I took a deep breath to steady my emotions before replying. “Lucas, do you think you‘ re some kind of emperor? I’m an adult, and I can do whatever I want! I already told you that we’re over. Why can’t you understand such simple words?!”

Rolling my eyes, I added, “What does trying on a wedding dress have to do with you? If you keep bothering me, I’ll report you!”

“And that place was never my home! It’s your home!”

Before he could respond, I hung up and blocked his new number.

Lying in the meticulously prepared bedroom by my parents, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. At four in the morning, Aunt Mina sent me a message.

[How did Lucas find his way to my house? What did you say to him? He seemed off today; he kept asking me where you were, and he wouldn’t get up from my doorstep.]

Rubbing my tired eyes, I replied, [I’ve already made it clear. He’s probably just losing it, unable to handle that someone who chased him suddenly vanished. His pride must be hurt. You didn’t tell him where I am, did you?]

“Do you think your aunt is that foolish? Of course not! I’m already on my way to the airport, looking forward to my niece’s wedding! But do you really need to wake up this early for your wedding? Why are you up already?”

I didn’t reply, shutting off my phone. Tears streamed down my cheeks, blurring my vision.

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