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As I stared at the persistent call notifications lighting up my phone screen, I felt an unfamiliar
wave of irritation.
For the first time, I understood why Lennon used to sound so annoyed whenever I called him.
When you didn’t love someone anymore, even a phone call felt like an intrusion.
I couldn’t recall when things between us had taken this turn.
Maybe it started when Betty joined the company, and he didn’t resist her repeated
advances.
Or maybe the cracks had been there all along, but love had blinded me to them.
In my memories, he and I had always been inseparable.
Over ten years, we knew each other better than we knew ourselves.
We had built a habit of compromise ingrained in our very bones.
But his confidence in my concessions emboldened him to trample on my feelings and my
dignity.
He even went so far as to court another woman openly.
As I stared at the hundreds of missed calls on my phone, I decided to block and delete his
number.
Yet, when I unfollowed him on the music platform, I noticed his playlist had shifted. The slow,
sentimental songs he used to favor had been replaced by albums from a rock singer.
It reminded me of the two concert tickets I’d found in his jacket five days ago and of the
photos Betty posted on Twitter from a concert. It was probably the very same artist.
for.
At that moment, clarity hit me like a blow.
He hadn’t stopped making compromises; he’d simply found someone new to make them.
My chest tightened sharply, but my trembling hands finished unfollowing and deleting him.
Next to me, Aaron must have sensed my mood. He gently ran his hand over my head in silent
comfort.
I glanced at his worried expression and gave a small wave, signaling that I was fine.
I powered off my phone and leaned back in the seat, letting sleep take over.
Half–asleep, I thought I felt someone’s gaze on me. A hand brushed lightly across my features, tracing the lines of my face.
But for once, I felt at peace. This time, there were no dreams of Lennon and no pain. Just deep. I finally had a dreamless sleep.
When the plane landed, the sight of my parents waiting at the gate with arms full of gifts
broke me.
As soon as they spotted me, they rushed over and pulled me into a warm embrace. Tears shimmered in their eyes.
“You’re home. That’s all that matters. Don’t leave us like this again, Audrina,” my mother said, her voice trembling.
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My father nodded, his hands unsteady. “We’ve worried ourselves sick all these years.”
Upon looking at the new streaks of gray in their hair, guilt weighed heavily on me.
For ten years, they’d called, begging me to come home.
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But I had always dodged them, afraid they’d bring up the marriage arrangement again.
When my company was stable enough, I’d planned to bring Lennon to meet them.
But fate had other plans. After the accident, when I lost my leg, I couldn’t bear to worry them
further.
I had chosen avoidance in every holiday and family gathering since.
Seeing them now, unwavering in their patience, waiting for me to come home, I realized how terribly wrong I’d been.
My father wiped his eyes and glanced at Aaron with approval.
“So, you two are planning to marry soon? Good. But let me tell you, Aaron, if you ever treat my
daughter poorly, I won’t hesitate to knock on your door!”
I laughed at my father’s serious tone and turned to see Aaron smiling at me, his eyes full of
affection.
“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll never let her down,” Aaron said earnestly.
Blushing, I averted my gaze.
“Dad, Mom, Aaron treats me well. I feel safe with him.”
Seeing that I no longer resisted this arranged marriage, my parents obviously breathed a sigh of relief.
“That’s all we need to hear. Aaron is dependable. With him, we can finally feel at ease.”
Then, my father’s expression hardened slightly. “And that other guy, Lennon. You’ve settled
things, right? If he dares bother you again, just say the word, and I’ll handle it.”
Hearing Lennon’s name made my stomach clench.
“It’s dealt with. Don’t worry, Dad. It’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ll stay home and focus on the
wedding.”
Relieved, they helped me into the car as if I might shatter.
We chatted and laughed during the ride, but my phone rang unexpectedly.
The number was unfamiliar. Assuming it was a client, I answered without hesitation.
Lennon’s furious voice greeted me.
“Audrina, where the hell are you? Who gave you the nerve to block and delete me? Betty’s in the hospital because of you. She’s a wreck! You’d better come apologize, or else…” he spat.
Before I could respond, Betty’s frail, pitiful voice interrupted.
“Mr. Harrison, it’s really okay. Please don’t blame Audrina. She’s your fiancée, after all. Maybe she was just feeling insecure and lashed out. It’s my fault for being so weak.”
The sound of their mutual consolations made my stomach churn.
As I opened my mouth to retaliate, my mother grabbed the phone and unleashed her fury.
“You want my daughter to apologize? How dare you! Lennon, Audrina spent ten years by your side, giving her all for you and your company. She nearly died in a car crash! And now you want
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her to apologize to some nobody mistress? Dream on!”
With that, she hung up.
I watched her seethe, stroking her back gently to calm her down. “Mom, he’s not worth it. Let’s just go home.”
Later, my mother asked if everything was ready for the wedding.
Her tone softened as she spoke of Aaron. “He’s been so thoughtful, making sure everything is just the way you like. He even came up with multiple plans for you to choose from.”
Seeing the admiration overflowing in my mom’s eyes, I finally felt relieved.
I smiled, touched by Aaron’s care. He had respected my wishes in every way.
At home, the wedding planner presented their designs.
Every detail was considered.
Even the invitations had dozens of drafts.
As I browsed, my eyes fell on a familiar wedding gown.
I picked it up, tears welling as I realized it was identical to the one I’d burned long ago.
Seeing tears welling up in my eyes, the store clerk rushed to explain, “Mr. Russell insisted on
this design. He said you’d love it and even provided your measurements so we could have it ready.”
Memories of a man in a hat watching me try on wedding dresses surfaced. He had never
said a word, just observed quietly before leaving.
My chest tightened, and I asked to try it on.
The gown fit perfectly, as if made for me. In the mirror, I saw the radiant bride I had once
dreamed of becoming.
al couldn’t help but think of how bitter Aaron must have felt all this time, watching me happily wanting to marry someone else.
Overcome, I took a picture and sent it to Aaron.
[Thank you, Hat Man,] I wrote.
His reply was instant. [As long as you love it, my bride.]
After finalizing the wedding plans, my parents posted the electronic invitations online. [October 28th. Join us to celebrate our daughter’s wedding!]
They also included several photos of me just after trying on the wedding dress.
Seeing them eager to announce to everyone that I was getting married, I didn’t stop them.
Blessings poured in from friends, relatives, and former colleagues.
Though the flood of attention was overwhelming, I responded to each one graciously.
