He Chose Another Bride During the Ritual—So I Chose a New Groom Instead Chapter 07

He Chose Another Bride During the Ritual—So I Chose a New Groom Instead Chapter 07

The barn descended into chaos.

Every trace of celebration vanished in an instant.

Young and old alike rushed toward Grandpa John as someone hurried to fetch the valley’s only physician.

The elderly country doctor arrived and immediately began examining him.

Family and friends crowded both inside and outside the house afterward.

Lamps burned from dusk until deep into the night.

Shortly after midnight, Grandpa John finally opened his eyes.

His breathing was shallow.

Weak.

He didn’t even seem strong enough to lift a hand.

Luna rushed forward immediately.

“Grandpa!”

She reached for him.

But he turned away.

Then, with tremendous effort, he lifted a trembling hand.

“Everyone leave.”

His voice was barely audible.

“Except Ava.”

The room went silent.

Everyone understood.

He was saying goodbye.

Luna’s face twisted with resentment and jealousy, but under the disapproving stares of the town elders, she had no choice but to leave with everyone else.

Soon, the old wooden bedroom became quiet.

Only a single oil lamp flickered in the darkness.

I sat beside Grandpa John’s bed, holding his cold, frail hand tightly.

Tears fell endlessly onto the blanket.

His cloudy eyes found mine.

After a long moment, he spoke.

“Child…”

He struggled for breath.

“The man you talked about in the barn today.”

“The one you loved with your whole heart for eight years.”

“The one who betrayed you.”

His gaze sharpened slightly.

“Was it Ethan?”

I froze.

Slowly, I bit my lip and nodded.

Tears blurred my vision.

“I was going to keep it to myself.”

My voice shook.

“I wanted everyone to be happy.”

“I thought if I stepped aside, Ethan and Luna could have the future they wanted.”

I lowered my eyes.

“No one meant to deceive you.”

“The doctor said you didn’t have much time left.”

“We just wanted you to leave this world without regrets.”

The moment I finished speaking, Grandpa John’s chest heaved violently.

His frail fingers tightened around mine.

“That’s nonsense!”

Pain and anger filled his voice.

“Why should you be the one to sacrifice everything?”

“You were the only one who suffered!”

He closed his eyes briefly.

“I failed Luna.”

His voice broke.

“I sent her into the city hoping she’d build a better life.”

Instead, she’d returned greedy.

Entitled.

Willing to steal another woman’s future without a shred of shame.

I shook my head desperately through my tears.

But Grandpa John only sighed.

His gaze drifted toward the ceiling.

For the first time all evening, he seemed at peace.

“The Veil Dance was always just an old tradition.”

His voice softened.

“You don’t owe that custom anything.”

He paused.

“When Ian was a boy, he was a good kid.”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

“I don’t know the kind of man he’s become.”

Then he looked at me.

Really looked at me.

“But if you don’t want to marry him, don’t.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“You don’t have to honor that old family Bible betrothal.”

His grip weakened.

“Live the life you want.”

“Follow your heart.”

“Leave this valley if that’s what makes you happy.”

“Go build your future.”

“Be free.”

Fresh tears streamed down my face.

I nodded and silently promised myself I would remember every word.

That entire night, I never left his side.

I heated water.

Helped wash him.

Changed his bedding.

Changed his clothes.

Accompanied him through prayer.

By the time dawn approached, he was peaceful and dignified.

Luna never made it past the bedroom door.

The town elders stopped her every time she tried.

The grandfather who had adored her all his life never looked at her again.

Not once.

A few hours later, Grandpa John passed away peacefully.

The church bells of Blackwood Valley rang across the mountains.

The entire town mourned.

Following local tradition, a three-night wake was held in his honor.

Several days later, the funeral took place beneath the valley’s signature blanket of rolling mountain fog.

Everything felt solemn.

Heavy.

Final.

I handled every responsibility expected of me.

I welcomed guests.

Managed arrangements.

Paid my respects.

And when the black casket was finally lowered into the earth, it felt as though an entire chapter of my life had closed with it.

Afterward, I packed my belongings.

There wasn’t much.

A few suitcases.

A few memories.

Nothing else.

I was ready to leave Blackwood Valley behind and return to the city.

Ready to start over.

I had just picked up my luggage when the front door opened.

Ethan appeared.

His eyes were bloodshot.

Exhausted.

Desperate.

“Ava.”

He stepped forward.

“I’m coming with you.”

I frowned.

My voice remained calm.

“Didn’t you already marry Luna?”

“The whole town congratulated you.”

“What exactly would you be coming with me as?”

Ethan immediately shook his head.

“That ceremony didn’t mean anything.”

His words tumbled out frantically.

“The marriage license at City Hall wasn’t real either.”

I stared at him.

“What?”

“I only did it because Grandpa John wanted peace before he died.”

He stepped closer.

“Ava, I swear to you.”

“I never loved Luna.”

“Not once.”

“Now that Grandpa John’s gone, that marriage certificate means nothing to me.”

His voice cracked.

“I’ll file for divorce immediately.”

I met his gaze.

Calm.

Detached.

Completely unmoved.

“Who you marry is your business.”

“Who you divorce is your business.”

“None of it has anything to do with me.”

I tightened my grip on my suitcase.

“Ethan.”

“We ended a long time ago.”

His face went pale.

He opened his mouth to argue.

But footsteps sounded outside.

Then Ian’s voice drifted through the doorway.

“You ready?”

I turned.

He stood waiting beside a black SUV parked in the fog.

I didn’t hesitate.

Pulling my suitcase behind me, I brushed past Ethan and walked straight out the door.

This time, he didn’t stop me.

And for the first time in years, neither did I stop for him.

Together, Ian and I climbed into the SUV.

The headlights cut through the mist.

Then Blackwood Valley disappeared behind us.

For good.