Klein tugged at his tie, frustration boiling beneath the surface. He longed to storm over to her place and demand answers, to shake her out of whatever stupor she was in.
But he knew he couldn’t. He had no right to question her choices.
As long as that wedding wasn’t called off, he was powerless to intervene.
***
When Samuel returned home, he was met with Laura’s anxious gaze.
“Is she going to be alright?” Laura asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Samuel shot her a hard look, irritation flaring. “Why didn’t you go to the hospital?”
“It’s not like I didn’t want to go, but Whitney wouldn’t let me,” Laura replied, her tone tinged with helplessness.
“You know how stubborn she is, right? I’m always worried that if I say the wrong thing, she’ll just lose it and start smashing things again,” Laura added, her voice thick with frustration.
Samuel snorted sharply, dismissing her concerns. “My mom had a stroke. Tomorrow, hire a caregiver for her. Make sure you get someone who will really take care of her.”
‘A stroke?’ Laura thought, her heart skipping a beat at the realization.
“And after she gets out of the hospital? Don’t tell me you’re actually thinking of bringing her back here?” Laura pressed, her voice tight with anxiety.
‘There’s no way I want that old bat living here again. Taking care of a stroke patient is a nightmare,’ she thought, her face contorting with annoyance.
‘If she croaks here one day, that would cast a shadow over the place,’ she shuddered at the very notion.
“Just let her stay at the hospital. It’s not like we’re short on cash,” Samuel replied, impatience evident in his tone.
Laura let out a sigh of relief at his approval, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.
“So what about the wedding tomorrow? Is Whitney actually going to show up?” she pressed, her curiosity piqued.
“She will.” Samuel finally allowed a satisfied grin to break through his stern demeanor. “Guess she’s not totally heartless after all.”
“If she tried to back out, I’d haul her there myself. But she said we can skip all the pre-ceremony stuff. Just get some sleep tonight because we’re heading to the hotel at ten sharp tomorrow,” Samuel added, his tone self-satisfied.
Laura frowned, her brows knitting together in confusion. ‘No pre-ceremony stuff?’
She couldn’t shake the nagging doubt that crept into her mind.
‘Will Whitney actually show up tomorrow?’ she pondered, uncertainty gnawing at her insides.
*****
At ten o’clock that night, Lena finally received a message from Whitney.
Lena: [Whit, where have you been all day?]
Whitney: [Lena, can you help me out with something tomorrow?]
The sun rose on the day of the wedding, casting a warm glow over everything, but Carter felt a chill deep within him. He stood before the mirror, clad in a sleek black suit that hugged his frame perfectly, his hair meticulously styled to perfection. He appeared composed, even aloof, but beneath that polished exterior lay a flicker of excitement he was desperately trying to suppress.
Getting married was meant to be a celebration, a moment of joy that would resonate through the ages. Yet, Carter couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that something was amiss. They were forgoing all the customary pre-ceremony rituals, and that thought gnawed at him.
In another room, Emily was preparing herself for the day in a flowing white gown that cascaded around her like a gentle waterfall. Her makeup was fresh, enhancing her natural beauty, giving her an innocent glow. As she caught a glimpse of Carter’s reflection in the mirror, a dazed expression crossed her face, betraying her nervous excitement.
“Carter, you look pretty today,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Carter turned, an eyebrow arched in playful disbelief. “Hey, silly, ‘pretty’ isn’t exactly how you describe a man.”
Emily stepped closer, a soft blush creeping onto her cheeks. “But look at us! I’m in white, and you’re in black. We look pretty good together, don’t you think?”
Her gentle tone had a way of softening Carter’s usually sharp features, making him appear less guarded.
“Of course,” he replied, his voice low and tender. “And don’t get any silly ideas. Even after I get married, you’ll always be the one I care about the most.”
Sweet words often had a way of masking the bitterness that lay beneath, and Emily had heard Carter whisper countless sweet nothings to her over the years. Yet today, he stood on the brink of marrying another woman.
‘When they’re alone, would he say the same things to Whitney with those irresistible lips?’ she pondered, a pang of jealousy tightening her chest.
‘Laura’s already sick, and Whitney can still show up for this wedding?’ The thought ignited a flicker of resentment within her.
She had meticulously planned for every possibility, but she never anticipated Whitney’s cold-hearted determination to show up.
‘She really did whatever it took just to get into the Harris family,’ Emily scoffed internally.
‘Whitney even talked about calling off the wedding before. I thought she was cool, but now…’ The realization hit her hard. ‘Guess she’s just ordinary after all.’
Swallowing her jealousy, Emily asked softly, “Carter, what time are we leaving? Can I go with you in your car today?”
Carter’s car was designated for the bride and groom, a symbol of their union.
Emily’s eyes shimmered with a mix of hope and vulnerability as she looked at him.
Unable to resist her pleading gaze, Carter relented, his voice gentle as he agreed, “Alright, let’s go together in my car to the chapel.”
Meanwhile, George watched as Carter and Emily climbed into the same vehicle. He hesitated, clearly wanting to voice something, but his wife, Sabrina, intervened. “It’s alright. Emily’s his sister. It’s no big deal if she rides along.”
George shrugged, accepting the explanation without further protest.
On the other hand, Lena was insistent on sharing a car with James that day. She had promised Whitney she would stick by him through thick and thin, her loyalty unwavering. Clutching a few heart pills in her palm, she was prepared for any sign of distress from James.
The day before, Lena had asked Whitney about her plans, always aware of Whitney’s determination to call off the wedding. Yet, Whitney kept her intentions hidden, not even confiding in her closest friend.
A storm of frustration brewed within Lena. ‘Just wait until today is over, Whitney. You’ll be hearing from me for keeping me in the dark.’
*****
Upon arriving at the chapel, Tina’s eyes immediately locked onto her best friend Emily, who stood out like a beacon among the crowd.
“Emily, you look absolutely stunning today,” Tina exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Emily returned the compliment with a bright smile. “You look amazing too, Tina.”
She then glanced over at the Moore family, her brow furrowing in concern. “Please tell me Whitney isn’t running late for her own wedding?”
Her words drifted over to George and Sabrina, who were standing nearby.
Sabrina’s expression darkened slightly as she turned to Laura. “Laura, where’s Whitney? Don’t tell me she’s still not here?”
Laura managed an awkward smile. “Uh, she’s running late. She should be here soon, I guess?”
No one truly knew if that was accurate.
Whitney’s phone had been unreachable since the early hours of the morning, leaving everyone on edge.
While guests mingled and entertained their own company, all eyes remained glued to the door, eagerly awaiting Whitney’s arrival.
As the clock inched closer to eleven, George and Samuel began urging everyone to take their seats, a sense of urgency filling the air.
George leaned in toward Carter, his voice low and filled with concern. “Carter, what’s going on? Where’s your bride?”
Samuel echoed the sentiment, his anxiety palpable. “Tina, call Whitney again. We need to find her, now!”
A wave of irritation washed over Carter. ‘What’s Whitney trying to pull?’ he thought, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
‘She promised she’d be here. She can’t just ditch me after everything, can she?’ The thought darkened his expression.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.