Chapter 6
The call cut off abruptly, and I knew he must be busy consoling her. A wave of nausea hit me, threatening to overwhelm me.
Noticing my expression change, Mom asked worriedly, “What’s wrong, sweetie? Are you feeling sick from the flight? Do you need some medicine?”
I bit my lip and shook my head. “I’m fine, just a spam call. Let’s go home.”
“How are the wedding preparations coming along? Should we stop by the bridal boutique to check on my dress? They only have my measurements, and I’m worried it won’t fit properly tomorrow,” I suggested, trying to change the subject.
After thinking it over, Mom directed Dad to turn the car toward the boutique. “Always so thoughtful. But don’t worry the dress was custom–made by one of Boston’s top designers. As long as your measurements were accurate, it should be perfect. Still, it’ll be nice to see my baby girl as a bride.”
Looking into Mom’s eager eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to object.
The downtown traffic was terrible, and it took us almost an hour to reach the bridal shop. With the staff’s help, it took another hour to get into the wedding dress. Standing before the mirror, seeing myself both familiar and strange, I felt tears welling up.
The dress was everything I’d dreamed of wearing on my wedding day. If only the groom
were different.
out her
Mom excitedly pulled phone to capture the moment, wanting to document her only daughter’s special day. Before I could stop her, she’d already posted the photos online.
“My daughter looks like a supermodel! Everyone needs to see how beautiful you are!”
I felt helpless but couldn’t bring myself to dampen her enthusiasm. She even set the photos as her phone wallpaper and profile picture, sharing them everywhere she could.
This outpouring of maternal love, bottled up for ten years, left me speechless.
Chapter 6
After carefully changing out of the wedding dress, Dad hesitantly spoke up. “Don’t you think you should meet Isaac before tomorrow? It feels strange that you haven’t even seen
each other yet.”
I paused but ultimately shook my head. “No need, Dad. I trust your judgment completely
Mom caught my subdued mood and exchanged a look with Dad, silently telling him to drop the subject.
Fast as we got back to the car, Aunt Marie called. “Ellie, haven’t you told Nathan you’re back? He doesn’t seem worried at all.”
“I just saw him helping that little manipulator up to her apartment. I nearly lost it right
there!” she fumed.
So that explained his silence – he was busy playing nurse to Sophia. I lowered my eyes, hiding the pain that flashed across them.
“No, I just told him it’s over. We were never officially together; he was just a friend at most. No need to tell him about the wedding.”
Aunt Marie sighed heavily. “I’ll never understand your generation. Anyway, my red–eye flight is confirmed, so I’ll definitely make it tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Auntie. Have a safe flight,” I replied softly.
After we hung up, Mom could no longer contain her frustration. “Ten years and he never even made it official? You wasted your youth on someone like that?” she exclaimed in
disbelief.
“If I’d known, I would have insisted you come home sooner to find someone worthy of you. What kind of man does that? You’ve been defending him to us all this time, and I really thought you were happy! How dare he treat my daughter this way!”
I gently patted Mom’s hand to calm her. “I never lied to you. I really was happy then.”
Before Sophia appeared, everything between us had been perfect. We were so close to our happy ending – where did it all go wrong?
I blinked back tears and stared out the window. This once–familiar city now felt
Chapter 6
refreshingly new.
Perhaps I really could start over from here.
But when we got home and I’d finished freshening up, Mom angrily threw her phone onto the couch. “Someone reported all the wedding photos I posted! What’s wrong with sharing my daughter’s special moment? Why are people so hateful? Can’t they just let others be happy?”
