C05
On the other side of the city, Lennox was brimming with excitement as he arrived at the wedding venue. His whole body radiated with joy.
His mother felt less enthusiastic. She gave him a cautious look and said, “Lennox, try not to go overboard today. Anne has been very emotional lately. You don’t want to upset her.”
At the mention of Anne, the smile on his face dimmed slightly. He nodded. “I understand, Mom. But you need to
treat Kelly better. Don’t let her sense anything’s off”
When Love Fades with the Wind
Mrs. Green exhaled softly and nodded in resignation.
The ceremony soon began.
Without any reason Lennox was able unease that gripped his heart. He scanned the crowd everywhere but could
not spot my parents anywhere.
Unbeknownst to him, I had told my parents everything the day I decided to walk away. They knew exactly why
they wouldn’t be attending today’s farce.
Seeing that he could not find my parents, Lennox began to feel panic. Just as he was about to ask someone about their absence, the officiant announced that the ceremony was starting. Reluctantly, he turned his attention
back to the front. He could only wait there.
Then, when he saw Anne walking toward him in a white wedding gown, the smile froze on his face and all the color drained from it. He stumbled back a step, his voice trembling as he stuttered, “Why… why is it you? Where’s
Kelly?”
Before Anne could answer, a man wearing a delivery uniform strode into the venue. He was holding a package in
his hands.
“Who’s Mr. Lennox Green?” he called out. “I have a wedding gift here from Miss Kelly Thomas. Please sign for it.”
The room erupted into hushed whispers. Everyone knew this wedding was supposed to be between me and
Lennox. Yet I was nowhere to be seen and now this. There was an unexpected “gift” from the bride who didn’t show.
When he heard this, Lennox’s eyes went vacant and lifeless. His soul seemed to have left his body as he staggered toward the delivery person.
He did not sign it right away, instead he ripped open the box first. When he opened it, the first thing he noticed was the hardware and the bank card that contained the dowry money that his family had given me.
As he stared at the contents, realization dawned. A hollow, gut–wrenching emptiness swallowed him whole.
He raised the corners of his lips to smile, but his smile was worse than crying. With tears wettened his eyes, he said in a sobbed voice, “She broke off the engagement… she doesn’t want to marry me…. Why does she not want
me?”
The hands that handled the gift box were trembling as he asked over and over again but no one could give him
an answer.
His mother rushed to his side, alarmed by his state. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, she heard his words and her gaze fell at the sight of the box contents.
The realization hit her and her expression quickly twisted into anger. “So, this is the kind of woman you chose as your girlfriend? Running away on her wedding day, humiliating you in front of everyone!”
However, her tone softened as she glanced toward Anne. “Well, maybe it’s for the best. You and Anne should just continue with the wedding. After all, you two are already legally married and a real couple. Especially since she’s carrying your brother’s only child….”
“Mom!” Lennox roared, cutting her words off, his bloodshot eyes filled with fury. He said through his gritteth, “I only love Kelly!”
His mother yelled back,” What does that matter now? Are you telling me that just because you love her, you want to abandon Anne? Have you forgotten that she was carrying your brother’s only child in her belly!”
Despite his protests, Lennox had no choice but to go through with the ceremony. His mother’s authority was absolute and her words were a sharp reminder of the tangled web they had all spun.
Meanwhile, I had arrived at my destination. After freshening up, I decided to find a well–rated restaurant nearby. As I scrolled through my phone, I accidentally opened my Instagram app.
