Chapter 24
“Callie, will you marry me?”
Surrounded by a sea of wildflowers, Gabriel knelt on one knee, holding up a simple diamond ring. Susan covered her mouth, giggling as she recorded on her phone.
Callie was stunned for a moment, then smiled: “This is so sudden.”
“I’ve been planning this since we made it official six months ago,” Gabriel said earnestly. “I’m certain now–you’re my future partner, and you’re the only one I want.“]
“From the day we met, we’ve always been so perfectly matched. We work together, we like the same things, and we love each other deeply. I can’t think of any reason to wait.”
Callie tilted her head slightly, her eyes glistening.
Gabriel was right–being with him always felt so natural and comfortable.[]
Every time she got sick, Gabriel would drop everything to take care of her. When she hit creative blocks, he’d stay up with her until 3 AM. He’d take her traveling to collect inspiration, and he always had her back…]
“Callie, don’t space out on us!” Susan was getting nervous in the moment too. “Look, this is totally your call. I insisted on tagging along for this, but not to pressure you or anything. If you’re not ready…“[]
“Yes.”
Susan’s voice cut off abruptly, then she practically tackled Callie just as she was extending her hand for Gabriel to put on the ring: “Oh my God, Callie! We’re gonna be family!“]
Gabriel held the ring frozen in mid–air, shooting an annoyed look at his impulsive sister before turning back to Callie, his eyes brimming with joy.]
On the wedding day, Susan’s eyes welled up as she pinned Callie’s veil: “Callie, you have to be happy, okay…“[]
Callie laughed softly, though her own eyes grew misty: “What’s wrong? You don’t trust me with your brother?“]]
“I’m just… I’m just so happy…”
When the organ played the Wedding March, she saw Gabriel’s hands trembling slightly at the altar.[]
When the priest asked if he was willing, he blurted out “I do” so fast it made the whole congregation burst into laughter.[]
During the bouquet toss, Callie deliberately threw it backward.[]
The flowers arced through the air, brushing past the last pillar in the church where a hunched figure in a hat and mask frantically tried to dodge out of sight.
“What is it?” Gabriel followed her gaze.]
“Nothing.” Callie stood on her tiptoes to kiss her new husband. “I thought I saw something.“]
A few days later, at a care facility in the Boston suburbs.[]
“Mr. Hayes, your account balance is insufficient,” the nurse handed him a bill. “If you can’t pay by tomorrow, we’ll have to ask you to leave.“]
Declan took the bill with empty eyes.]
Ever since Hayes Corp went bankrupt and his mother died, he’d been living here. The former business elite couldn’t even afford basic care anymore.]
As he wheeled his suitcase out the facility gates, the street billboard was playing financial news: “Starlight series creator Callie Hartwell recently announced her high–profile marriage, with her company’s valuation reaching new heights…“[]
On screen, Callie was radiant, her diamond ring sparkling, while the man beside her tenderly held her waist. They looked perfect together.
Declan stood frozen on the street as rain soaked through his clothes. He remembered how long ago, Callie used to look at him and smile like that, but
And he,
he’d
never treasured it.]
Rain mixed deserved
with
tears streaming down his
face.
Declan
that realized Callic–who
had
once loved
him so
deeply–had
finally found
the
happiness she
had
lost the person
him
who had loved most–for good.[]
18
