Chapter 26
I agreed. That night, I had someone bring Eugene a wedding invitation and some candy.
He unwrapped it and slipped it into his mouth. It felt like it had been forever since he’d last tasted something sweet.
There were many guests on the wedding day. Even Professor Watts and the other researchers, who were supposed to be on break, came. Professor Watts patted Ezra’s shoulder excitedly. “I never would’ve expected you to be the one to sweep Nerissa off her feet! Good on you, you lucky bastard!”
The other researchers also teased us. I looked at Ezra, who stood beside me in his black tuxedo. My heart was almost overflowing with bliss and satisfaction.
After the ceremony started, I walked down the aisle with my hand in Dad’s. I took step after step in Ezra’s direction.
Dad placed my hand in Ezra’s and said, “I’ll leave my daughter in your hands now.”
Ezra vowed, “Don’t worry. I’ll care for her and protect her for the rest of my life.”
The guests applauded and cheered. Everyone was happy for us, and they gave us their blessings.
7/1
Eugene clapped with the guests, his eyes unblinking as he stared at Nerissa. He suddenly thought of their failed wedding two years ago. Nerissa must’ve also planned every detail of it with all her heart, whether it was the reception, the pre–wedding shoot, or the banquet…
She would have compared prices before finally picking the best one. He couldn’t imagine how anguished she was when deciding to call everything off.
He’d done her wrong, and he should be happy now that she’d found someone who could make her happy.
He shut his eyes, and a tear rolled down his face.
After the wedding ended, I spent most of my time seeing off guests. That night, I’d just sat down to catch my breath when Tara approached me with an odd look on her face. She handed me a letter and said, “Eugene asked me to pass this to you. He also wanted me to wish you all the happiness in the world.
11
She patted my shoulder before leaving. Only then did I remember that Eugene had asked the day before whether he could attend the wedding on this day. I hadn’t seen him around, though.
I opened the letter and read it.
“I’m sorry, Riss. I’ve yet to move on from you, but I understand there’s no chance of us going back to how things used to be. You’re right that we all have to look ahead in life–that’s why I’m going to find my own path now.
“The five years we spent together were the happiest of my life, and I’ll never forget that time. Lastly, I hope you’ll forgive me for not daring to wish you well in person. I hope your future is full of love and joy, and I truly wish you happiness.”
I set the letter aside and got up to go to Ezra. I’d already embarked on my new life, and it was true that Eugene had to find his.
Everything that had come before would die with yesterday, and everything that was to come in the future would begin like this day.
