Two days later, I stood in the bustling terminal of the international airport, dragging my suitcase behind me like a heavy weight that mirrored my heart.
After boarding the plane, my phone buzzed with a message from Elliot.
[I only have two hours today.]
[After the wedding, I need to be with Tessa.]
[I won’t be coming home for now. We’ll talk when her condition stabilizes.]
[Just change into something and come straight to the wedding. Forget about the bridal pickup; I don’t have time for that.]
I froze for a moment, the reality hitting me like a thunderclap. Today was supposed to be our wedding day.
It was clear now: Elliot was utterly consumed by Tessa. If he cared about me, he would have noticed the note I’d left behind or at least tried to reach out.
I pulled out my phone to reply, but the plane had already started taxiing, forcing me to switch it off.
I closed my eyes and let out a breath.
Forget it. He never truly cared about this wedding, about me.
My absence would only lighten his heart.
***
In the hotel banquet hall, Elliot sat, his impatience mounting with each passing second.
He had only two hours.
Yet that damn Leah was nowhere to be found.
Tessa had tossed and turned the night before, barely managing to sleep at dawn. He had just coaxed her into slumber when he’d slipped away.
As he left, he stole one last glance at her curled-up form on the bed. Guilt washed over him and his chest tightened.
He couldn’t help but feel sorry for Tessa. Sneaking off to marry another woman while she slept, he was betraying her, wasn’t he?
Should he cancel the wedding?
A part of him didn’t want to.
Eyes closed, he sat there, lost in thought. Why hadn’t he broken up with Leah yet?
Was it because she was too pitiful to leave behind? Or was it something more?
Had he actually developed feelings for her after all this time?
The emcee approached, leaning in to whisper, “Mr. Amberson, the auspicious hour is near. Have you heard from Leah?”
Elliot opened his eyes, annoyance flickering in them. “She’s still not here?”
The emcee nodded.
Elliot’s face darkened, his irritation flaring as he shot me another message.
[What the hell are you doing? Get to the hotel within fifteen minutes, or this wedding is off.]
Minutes passed, but there was no response.
Fuming, he dialed my number, only to be met with silence.
Nearly yelling, he turned to his assistant. “Find Leah and bring her here! I need to know what’s going on.”
The assistant rushed out, leaving the hall full of guests exchanging puzzled looks.
Then, Tessa appeared at the entrance, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Elliot’s panic was immediate.
He rushed over to her, grabbing her hands, his words stumbling. “Tessa, I…”
Tessa choked back sobs, her voice trembling. “Elliot, I wasn’t really asleep.”
“I was only pretending. I know I have no right to stop you from marrying Leah.”
“But I underestimated how much I love you.”
“The moment you left, I couldn’t stay away. I just had to see you one last time.”
“I needed to hug the man I loved before you became hers.”
“After today, you’ll belong to her. And I’ll lose the right to love you.”
Elliot held her close, his face soft with tenderness, as he tried to reassure her.
Suddenly, as though a lightbulb had gone off in his mind, Elliot pulled out his phone and began recording.
“Leah, are you still going to leave me hanging?”
“I’m giving you five minutes. Get here, or I’ll marry Tessa instead.”
“If you don’t show up, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Tessa’s eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope, her expression a delicate mix of bashfulness and eager anticipation as she watched him.
Elliot sent me the video and his frustration was evident in every frame.
But once again, no response came.
Grinding his teeth, Elliot muttered through clenched jaws, “Alright, Leah, you’re really testing my limits now, aren’t you? This is your choice. Even if you beg me on your knees later, don’t expect another chance.”
He turned to Tessa, his voice now softening as he held out his hand. “Tessa, will you marry me?”
Tessa’s face lit up as she nodded eagerly, her excitement radiating.
The ceremony unfolded just as they’d rehearsed.
Elliot and Tessa stood before each other, eyes locked, reciting vows of eternal love.
Yet, despite the moment's intensity, Elliot felt an odd sense of distraction.
The woman he loved was right there in front of him, but his mind kept drifting to Leah.
The moment the exchange rings arrived, his assistant burst through the door, breathless.
Without hesitation, Elliot released Tessa’s hand and turned to the assistant. “Did you find Leah?”
The assistant’s face was grim as he shook his head. “President, I went to your house. Leah’s already gone.”
“She left a note. She wants to break up with you... and wishes you and Tessa a long and happy marriage.”
