I picked up the bouquet, crushed underfoot.
I looked at it for a moment.
Then I dropped it into the trash.
After I left the reception, a text from Charles popped up on my phone.
"Go back to the hotel and rest. I'll come get you once things wrap up here."
I didn't reply.
I flagged down a cab and went straight to the hospital.
The moment I lay down on the operating table.
The fear slowly settled into calm.
The blessing I'd given at the wedding was sincere.
And so was my hatred for them.
As the anesthesia went in, my world sank into darkness.
……
Elsewhere, the wedding reception ended.
Charles saw the text Summer still hadn't answered two hours later, and an uneasiness he couldn't explain rose in his chest.
Summer would never leave one of his texts unanswered.
Once, after they'd fought and she went quiet, he'd panicked so badly that he rode his motorcycle all over the city in the dead of night looking for her, and nearly crashed.
After that, they'd made a promise: no matter what happened, neither of them would ever ignore the other's messages.
He shrugged off Eugenia, who had her arm hooked through his.
"I'm going to get Summer. She's still waiting for me at the hotel."
Eugenia clung to his hand, refusing to let go.
"Charles, today is our wedding. Can't you just not go looking for Summer?"
Charles ignored her and walked off.
The whole way to the hotel, he kept calling Summer.
But the other end gave only a cold, automated message: the number was powered off.
He rushed to the hotel room door.
Inside, there was only the cleaning staff.
"Where's the guest staying here?!"
The cleaner jumped at his shout and rolled her eyes at him.
"Checked out, so she's gone. How would I know where to?"
Charles stood frozen.
And just as he stood there at a loss, a call from the hospital flashed up on his phone.
"Is this a family member of Ms. Summer Chase?"
"Please come to the hospital right away. Something has happened to Ms. Chase…"
