Soon it was time for the ceremony to begin. Aunt Marie rushed in, giving me a tight hug and pressing an elegant envelope into my hands. “The traffic was insane today – the driver had to take several detours to get here.”
I didn’t think much of it, assuming it was typical Boston traffic during wedding season. I helped her to a seat while I took my place at the front of the chapel. However, as soon as I stepped into the venue, an inexplicable sense of unease settled over me.
When the ceremony reached the ring exchange, a man’s furious voice suddenly cut through the air from outside. “Stop the wedding! I object!”
The next moment, Nathan’s tall figure burst through the doors.
My parents‘ faces darkened instantly as they signaled the security team to remove him.
But today, Nathan who usually maintained his polished CEO image – was uncharacteristically aggressive. He fought off the security guards and pushed his way through the crowd, heading straight for me.
“Ellie, you can’t marry him! You’re supposed to be my bride!” He reached for me, his voice breaking. “I know I messed everything up. I admit all my mistakes. Please, just give me ofté more chance. Please…”
“I’ll celebrate your birthday properly. I’ll order a dairy–free cake. I remember your allergy now; I’ll help you blow out the candles after you make your wish, okay? Just come with me! If you leave with me right now, I’ll do anything you want!” he pleaded desperately.
Hearing him echo the words from my dream stirred nothing in me. Isaac, noticing my lack of response, stepped between us, shielding me from Nathan’s intense gaze.
He then turned slightly and ordered the security team to remove Nathan from the premises.
The Hayes family’s security detail was clearly professional; within moments, they had efficiently escorted him out.
I stood there, watching as the man I once loved was reduced to his most desperate and
Once he was gone, I turned back to Isane without hesitation and continued with the ring exchange. The brief disruption was smoothed over by the officiant’s calm professionalism.
After the ceremony ended and we’d finished greeting the guests, Isaac suggested I deal with Nathan. Looking at my new husband’s composed and understanding expression, I nodded and carefully gathered my dress as I stepped outside.
Mound Nathan sitting on the chapel steps, his face bruised from his encounter with
security.
The moment he saw me, he scrambled to his feet and fell to his knees.
“Ellie, please let me explain! I was an absolute idiot before, but I understand now. Please give me a chance to make things right!”
“I found the necklace Sophia stole from you! Look!” He opened his palm to reveal the silver pendant.
But the moment he’d betrayed my trust, that gift – like all the others had lost its meaning. Whether it had been taken by Sophia or anyone else didn’t matter anymore. Everything associated with Sophia and the man I once loved now felt tainted.
Seeing my indifference, Nathan grew more frantic.
“I finally understand everything! After you left, I checked the security footage at the office That day at the party, you never touched her – she staged the whole thing. I was a fool for not trusting you and falling for her act. You can hate me, but please, give me one more chance to make it right!”
ve known each other for ten)
for ten years, grown up i
We promised to walk down the
aisle together – have you forgotten all of that?” he pleaded, desperately trying to reach me with memories of our past.
At those words, I nodded slowly, watching the hope drain from his eyes.
“Actually, I think I fell out of love first. But believe whatever helps you sleep at night, Nathan.”
With a shrug, I continued, “As you can see, I’m married now. Like I said before, we’re done. There’s no need for any further contact.”
Chapter 9
The moment I finished speaking, he frantically pulled out a miniature album from his
pocket. Inside were 9,998 carefully preserved photos, a pocket–sized version of the one I’d
burned.
Before he
could speak, I grabbed the album from his hands and tossed it into the reflecting pool beside the chapel.
He stared in shock, and before the reality of what I’d done could sink in, he jumped into the water, trying desperately to save it. But it was too late the album had already disappeared Beneath the surface.
Just like our relationship, there was nothing left to salvage. Watching him climb out of the pool, drenched and defeated, I delivered my final words with an expressionless face.
“Nathan, we were never really together, but today I’m giving you a proper goodbye. Stop past where they causing scenes. Don’t make me hate you. Let these ten years stay in the
belong.”
“Don’t ruin the last good memory I have of you.”
After speaking. I turned and walked away without looking back. Isaac was waiting for me at the chapel entrance. I got into the car with him, leaving Nathan’s desperate gaze behind in the rearview mirror.
Goodbye, my last ten years.
