Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Early in the morning, I finished packing.
Years ago, for Darion, I left my office in Times Square, New York, and came all the way to this small city. I even missed my own parents’ 60th birthday celebration.
When I went to the company to complete my resignation procedures, my colleagues were surprised to hear I was looking for Darion.
The intern looked confused. “Ms. Mansfield, you didn’t know? Mr. Floyd and Ms. Dobson are getting married today at the Rose Garden.”
My grip tightened, crumpling the resignation form in my hand.
When I drove past Rose Garden, I slammed on the brakes.
Seven years ago, Darion and I often came here to feed the pigeons.
Back then, we had just graduated and were renting a 10-square-meter apartment. Darion always promised we’d have our wedding here one day when we had the money.
He once pointed at the frozen lake on a snowy day and said, “Breanna, let’s get married here someday. You’ll be in a mermaid dress, I in a tux. We’ll have everyone dance on the ice. What do you say?”
I walked into the park unconsciously and saw the vibrant decorations.
Guests mingled, champagne glasses in hand, while Darion bent down to adjust Kaleigh’s veil.
In the background, the melody of Mariage d’Amour was gently playing.
“Ms. Mansfield?” an employee from the Marketing Department walked over, holding a wine glass.
Her eyes darted between me and the ceremony on the lawn. “You’re here for the wedding?”
Her tone was expectant, her expression practically daring me to make a scene.
I smiled and nodded, then turned back to my car to grab a gift.
The storage compartment held two stacks of gilded invitations, ones I’d originally prepared for my own wedding.
I picked out a card to go with the gift and wrote it, all while wishing they would break up.
On the glass platform by the lake, Darion was dancing with Kaleigh in his arms,
Drawing nearer, I noticed her ivory-colored skirt draped casually over his arm, and a pang of distress hit me.
After years of chasing him, he ended up marrying someone else.
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Chapter 3
I held back my feelings, steadying myself before speaking, “Mr. Floyd, congratulations on your wedding.”
I set the gift on the registry table and scrawled my name.
“Breanna?” Darion nearly dropped his wine glass in his hand.
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Kaleigh, however, beamed, “You’re too kind, Ms. Mansfield. We can’t wait to pay you back double at your own wed- ding.”
She deliberately linked arms with Darion. “But you’re still single. Should I introduce you to some of Darion’s friends? They’re all young talents with millions.”
She clung tighter to Darion, her eyes blazing with determination not to let go.
But Darion shook off her arm. He grabbed my wrist instead and dragged me behind the fountain. “Are you stalking
me?”
Water droplets splashed onto my cuff. I took out a tissue to wipe it.
Darion frowned, his voice laced with anger. “All the guests are watching. Are you here to ruin our wedding on pur- pose?
“Don’t be crazy, Breanna. Her father just wanted to see us have a wedding. It’s all for show! Don’t cause trouble now. You can’t afford the consequences if you anger me.”
I took a half-step back to avoid his reaching hand with a sneer.
“Mr. Floyd, you’ve already put on the ring. Is it appropriate for you to drag me around like this?
“I just came to give you a gift. That’s all.”
With that, I turned to leave. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him try to follow, but Kaleigh held him back.
The wedding was still in full swing. No one noticed our brief interaction.
Raindrops hammered wildly against the windshield.
My phone screen lit up with a message from my mother: “Breezy, come home. Your father decided to put you in charge of the Manhattan project.”
“Okay, got it.” I started the car.
In the rearview mirror, the lights over the lawn grew more and more distant.
Now, I decided to let go of the love I had held onto since I was young.
When I reached the airport, a message from Darion popped up: “Where are you? I saved you some wedding candy.”
I deleted it and blocked him decisively.
As I picked up my luggage, a call from an unknown number came through.
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Chapter 3
“Breanna, where are you?!” came the urgent breathing through the receiver.
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