The Wedding Where I Was The Witness, Not The Bride Chapter 07

The Wedding Where I Was The Witness, Not The Bride Chapter 07

He decided to call, condescendingly, to be gracious about it. I answered without looking.

“Enough, Clementine. Come back. We’ll leave for the Maldives right now.” He waved at his assistant. “We’ll go to your favorite island. The one you’ve always talked about.”

He waited. Then he softened. “I know you’re upset. But Wren’s been through a lot. Why do you have to hold this against her? I’ve already sent the Cartier bracelet you wanted to your place. Open the

door.”

A pause. He looked at his phone-he didn’t even know when I’d hung up.

He kicked the table in frustration. “This is ridiculous.”

But then he thought of me-and a small smile tugged at his lips. “She’s getting harder and harder to soothe,” he murmured.

He thought of me when we first started dating-bright, lively, fearless, just like now. And it made

his heart skip again.

Actually, he realized, he hadn’t fallen for Wren. He’d just been chasing novelty. The thrill had faded, and now he saw clearly-the only one who’d ever made his heart beat, who’d stayed by him through the dark, was me.

He was about to leave for my place when his brand liaison called. “Mr. Ward, that address you gave

us is wrong.”

“What do you mean? 246 Maple Street, Apartment 6B-”

The call was passed to a gruff voice. “What the hell do you want?!”

“How are you at Clementine’s place?”

“The house sold three days ago. I don’t know any Clementine. Stop bothering me!”

The line went dead.

Grayson’s whole body went cold. He remembered how we’d picked that apartment together-his gift to me. On my birthday, he’d pretended to forget. I’d been so disappointed, but I’d forced a smile and said, “I don’t need anything-I’m happy just to have you.” Then he’d taken me downstairs, hands over my eyes, and shown me the keys. “Clementine, this is your safety net. No matter what, you’ll always have a home.”

I’d cried and cried. I’d always said that place was my home. That as long as it stood, something in

me stayed warm.

But now I’d sold it. And something in him crumbled too.

She must be heartbroken, waiting for me to make it right, he thought.

This wasn’t a tantrum. This was me cutting him out of my life.

He shot to his feet, voice shaking, face ashen. “Find Clementine. Now!”

The assistant scrambled. Grayson paced, spotted the mint plant on the windowsill my plant. I used to say a little mint tea soothed his throat when his allergies flared. I’d kept it thriving. Now,

with me gone, it was wilted.

“Mr. Ward,” the assistant said hesitantly, “I’ve found her.”

“Book me a ticket. I’ll-”

“Sir.” The assistant shook his head. “You won’t be able to bring her back. She’s signed the overseas assignment contract. She’s left for the Southeast branch. For five years.”

Grayson called my parents.

Mom answered immediately. “What is it, son-in-law?”

“Did you know Clementine signed an overseas contract?”

A pause. Then her voice went flat. “That’s her business. Nothing to do with us.” Before he could speak, her tone shifted, wheedling. “When are you coming to see Wren? She’s been crying for days –she thinks she made you angry. I’ve told her off, but she’s just a kid. She’s so much better than Clementine, that dark, selfish girl-”

He couldn’t listen anymore. “That’s enough! With a family like hers, no wonder she wanted to

leave.”