He Said ‘Of Course’ to Every Insult About Me, I Said ‘Of Course’ to Walking Away Chapter 09

He Said ‘Of Course’ to Every Insult About Me, I Said ‘Of Course’ to Walking Away Chapter 09

On the wedding day, I slept in and woke up naturally.

No tedious procedures, no tacky games. We held a simple, beautiful wedding.

Surrounded by white sandy beaches and the coast, I finally made it to my dream destination.

I didn’t need anyone’s approval. I was here simply because I wanted to be.

The next moment, my favorite song began to play.

To the melodic strains, Liam and I walked down the aisle arm in arm.

We didn’t do the whole “dad walking the bride down the aisle” thing.

Instead, we walked together, side by side, to stand before my parents.

In front of our family and friends, we said our vows, exchanged rings, and kissed.

Everything was so beautiful and simple.

He took my hand and pressed a solemn kiss to the back of it.

“Natalie, I will spend the rest of my life loving and cherishing you, and facing every challenge with you by my side.”

“I’ll do everything in my power so you can freely do whatever you want to do.”

“I love you.”

Hearing his choked voice, tears filled my eyes too.

“I love you too.”

“I hope we grow together, side by side, as equals.”

“From this day forward, I’ll stand with you through every storm, every high, and every low.

Everything that comes our way-we face it together.”

Amid the cheers around us, I held him tight.

In our embrace, I felt his body heat and heartbeat, burning hot.

My parents were off to the side, wiping away happy tears.

My best friend called from overseas to congratulate me on finding such a good man.

“This husband you picked? I fully approve! The last one was just your starter boyfriend.”

After the ceremony, I curled up in Liam’s arms listening to her tease me, laughing happily.

My phone buzzed. A bank transfer notification.

A huge sum, with the note “Happy Wedding.”

I knew who it was from and sent it back.

Liam watched me and ground his teeth.

“He sure has a good memory, doesn’t he? Still remembers?”

His jealous tone made me giggle.

“Some people really know how to keep their mouths shut.”

“If you hadn’t gotten drunk and blurted it out that day, I never would’ve known you’d waited for me

all those years.”

His ears turned bright red, and he leaned down to silence me with a kiss.

After we got together, I learned that Liam had liked me for a long time before.

After hearing about me from my parents, he’d convinced them to let him come find me. That’s how

our story began.

Maybe fate really does work like that, arranging everything behind the scenes.

After our little moment, we went home.

Inside, my parents had made a table full of delicious food and waved us over.

Eating and chatting-ordinary, everyday things.

But I loved this ordinariness.

With the people I love most by my side, I felt deeply happy.

That night, I had a rare dream.

I dreamed of myself at eighteen.

She walked onto the college campus full of hope, signing up for all kinds of activities.

Back under the basketball hoop cleaning up equipment, I saw the top of her head wobbling.

I threw a pebble at her.

The girl stood up, looking around in confusion.

The gears of fate shifted quietly in that moment.

The hoop crashed down, drawing countless horrified stares.

Back then, Ethan had been walking toward the supply area with a case of water, brushing right past

her.

A warm breeze blew, lifting strands of her hair.

Ethan glanced back and suddenly felt an emptiness in his chest.

But I stood up and walked forward, not looking back.

Between us lay an entire forgotten summer.

When I woke, my pillow was a little damp. But the corners of my mouth were turned up. I stretched, feeling blissfully refreshed.

The next second, the smell of food drifted in. I heard Liam call, “Wake up, breakfast is ready, babe.”

“Coming!”