there’s clearly been some misunderstanding. It’s better to sort it out face–to–face. Besides, a few major clients are specifically asking for you to handle their projects…”
I interrupted her before she could finish.
“Sorry, Amy. I’m busy preparing for my wedding. I can’t come in. But you’re welcome to join
the celebration. I’ll send you an invite.”
Before she could respond, a roar erupted from the background. Someone had grabbed the
phone.
“Audrina! What kind of wedding are you talking about? Ours is still a month away! Get back to the office now! I found out it was Betty who accidentally approved your resignation with my
ccount. Stop being stubborn, or I’ll have no choice but to fire you!”
My chest heaved with anger. I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“Lennon, if there’s something wrong with your brain, go see a doctor. Don’t take it out on me! Who said my wedding has anything to do with you? I already sent you a breakup text. What part of ‘we’re done‘, didn’t you understand? Who I marry is none of your business. Don’t forget I waited at the courthouse for you all day, and you didn’t show up. That’s on you, not me. And for the record, I’ve already finalized my resignation. We’re through, professionally and personally.”
Without waiting for his response, I hung up and blocked both Lennon and Amy.
When I turned around, I saw my parents watching me with concern. I waved it off and
headed upstairs to sleep.
But at three a.m., another call woke me.
It was Lennon’s best friend and a former colleague of mine.
“Audrina, where’ve you been? Lennon’s been drinking like a madman, calling out your name.
He had an allergic reaction and ended up in the hospital.”
Suppressing my irritation, I replied coldly, “What does that have to do with me? Let Betty deal with him. And don’t call me again. I don’t have anything to do with him anymore.”
Then I turned off my phone.
Even so, sleep didn’t come easily. Memories of my time with Lennon kept surfacing. “Audrina, meeting you is the luckiest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“Audrina, I love you so much. Please, don’t leave me.”
“Audrina, we’ll be together forever, won’t we?”
“Audrina, losing a leg must’ve fried your brain!”
“Audrina, stop being so jealous. Betty’s just a capable colleague. Why are you always spying
on me?”
“Audrina, our marriage is just a duty. I only pretended to love you.”
When I was awakened, I realized it was already dawn.
My parents were already dressed in festive clothes, coming to wake me up.
Seeing my pale face, they couldn’t help worrying.
“Sweetheart, you don’t look well. Are you feeling okay?”
-I grasped my mom’s hand and reassured her, “It’s nothing. I just had a bad dream.”
The wedding went on as planned, and after I was made up, I waited for Aaron to pick me up.
12:31 Wed, 11 Dec
Aaron arrived dressed in an elegant suit, exuding a noble charm.
I couldn’t deny it. My dad had impeccable taste.
When I saw Aaron walking toward me., my heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.
He looked at me with eyes full of anticipation, and I noticed his hands trembling with
excitement.
“Audrina, I’m here to take you home,” he said warmly.
Amid the applause, he lifted me into his arms and carried me to the wedding car.
75%1
My cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, but I couldn’t help wrapping my arms tightly
around his neck.
Aaron smiled. Just seeing him like that made my heart race even more.
As we arrived at the flower–filled venue, Aaron led me inside with the utmost care, holding
my hand tightly.
The officiant led us through the ceremony step by step. Finally, it was time to exchange rings
and share our first kiss as husband and wife.
Cheers of congratulations filled the air, mingling with my parents‘ tearful expressions of joy.
That was when a voice boomed from the entrance.
“Wait! I object!”
A man’s furious roar echoed from the entrance. Behind him, a disheveled woman stumbled
into view.
“Apologize to her!” Lennon dragged Betty in front of everyone, gripping her hair tightly and
forcing her to apologize.
“Ah…!” Betty shrieked, falling to her knees. She clasped her hands together and looked up at me with tears streaming down her face.
“Audrina, I’m sorry! It’s all my fault. I was the one who stirred up trouble and caused misunderstandings between you and Mr. Harrison. Please forgive me!”
She sobbed uncontrollably, her voice trembling.
“I admit it… I approached Mr. Harrison out of greed, drawn to his wealth. But I had no other choice. I have two younger brothers to support. Please, don’t let him fire me! The texts I sent you… they were all lies. The resignation approval? That was me, not him. I swear, nothing happened between us. Please believe me. If you don’t forgive me, he’ll kill me!”
Betty tried to crawl closer to me, but my parents, their expressions dark, ordered the security
guards to drag her away.
As they pulled her from the room, she screamed hysterically, “Audrina, I beg you! Mr. Harrison loves you! He’s always loved you!”
Aaron, standing beside me, noticed my stiffened expression. He waved for more security to
remove Lennon as well.
But Lennon, usually calm, resisted with unusual fervor. He shoved the guards aside and
rushed toward me.
Audrina, it’s my fault,” he said, his voice breaking. “I was wrong to lose you. Please forgive me.
a distraction l’ve fired ber There’s
12:31 Wed, 11 Dec
75%
2
We promised to stay together forever. Betty was a mistake, a distraction. I’ve fired her. There’s nothing standing between us now. I’ll make it up to you. Yell at me, blame me, do whatever you want… but don’t leave me. We’ve been together for ten years. You can’t just walk away like this! If you come with me, we can get married right away.”
He gestured toward my wedding dress, desperation in his eyes.
“You’re wearing the dress we picked out together. It proves you can’t let go of me. Come on, Audrina. Let’s leave together, right now. We can fix everything.”
I stared at him, unmoved. His words were empty echoes in my ears.
Aaron stepped between us, pushing Lennon back with a firm hand. He shielded me without
esitation.
I touched Aaron’s shoulder lightly, signaling him to relax.
Facing Lennon’s pleading gaze, I pulled out my marriage certificate and held it up.
“Mr. Harrison,” I said coldly, “this is my husband. We’re legally married. What right do you have to ruin my wedding?”
Lennon’s face contorted in disbelief.
“No… no, you’re lying. You’re just trying to spite me. You married this man out of anger because I didn’t show up at the courthouse, right?”
He took a shaky step closer, desperation oozing from his every word.
“It’s all Betty’s fault! After you left, I investigated her medical and call records. You never
contacted her. She was the one tormenting you all along. Even her suicide attempt was fake.
I was the one fooled by her. This is all my fault. Please, divorce him right now and come with
- me. We’ll get married immediately! We’ve known each other for ten years. We’ve been through
everything together. How can you just give up like this?”
I couldn’t suppress the bitter laugh that escaped my lips.
“Throwing away someone who never truly loved me? What’s so difficult about that? You’ve
misunderstood, Lennon. Even if you had shown up at the courthouse that day, I still would’ve
married Aaron. That day, I only asked to meet you so I could tell you face–to–face. I wanted to tell
you it’s over. I never intended to marry you because my feelings for you have long since faded. I
gave you my loyalty, my time, and my love for ten years. Now, I just want to be happy. Is that too
much to ask? Don’t make me hate you, Lennon. Please leave.”
Lennon froze, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly.
Security guards moved to take him away, but this time, he didn’t resist. His shoulders
slumped, and he allowed himself to be led out, his head hanging low.
The room fell silent again.
Aaron gently took my hand, sliding the wedding ring onto my finger with unwavering resolve.
As the crowd cheered and my parents wept with joy, Aaron leaned in, his lips brushing
against mine.
In that kiss, I felt the weight of the past ten years lift from my shoulders.
And just like that, my painful chapter with Lennon came to an end.
The End.
