"Felix, our wedding is about to start. You can't just leave. How will my family respond? What should I tell them?"
Willow, drapped in wedding white gown, clung to Felix's sturdy arm, hoping he wouldn't leave.
Her fingers trembled as much as her voice from panic. She had never expected this to happen to her.
Today was supposed to be their happiest day.
However, just as the ceremony was about to begin, Felix had received a message. After reading it, his face changed. He turned to the crowd of people who had come to witness their wedding, and simply declared the wedding canceled.
His eyebrows were drawn together and his voice tight with urgency. "Move! Helen's hurt. She's alone in the hospital, and she must be terrified. I have to be there for her, Willow!"
Willow's face immediately paled.
Helen Spencer was Felix's childhood sweetheart.
She had known Felix long before he knew her.
Five years ago, Willow was dating Felix. During the five years they were together, Helen messed up every single time Willow went out with Felix.
There was just something that woman did. Sadly, if Helen needed Felix's help, he didn't hesitate to leave her behind.
He always insisted Helen was just like a little sister to him and always told Willow to understand.
Willow tried to understand. But, she was again and again, the one who had to give in and sacrifice.
But, today was their wedding day.
So, if Helen had just called to say that she needed Felix. Did that mean Willow had to be abandoned by the man who supposed to become her husband?
"No, Felix, you can't go. This wedding can't happen without you. No matter what, you have to stay, please Felix,... I'm begging you." Willow pleadingly.
But Felix snapped, "Enough! Stop being selfish and stubborn. We can rearrange the wedding schedule. But right now, Helen is in pain. If I don't leave now, can you handle the consequences? Move..!"
Before Willow could said another words, Felix pushed and shoved past her.
Willow's body staggered and she fell to the floor, twisting her heel in the process. Stunned and breathless, Willow could only stare as Felix disappeared through the door without single glance back.
The next second, Willow's cell phone rang.
Without checking who was calling, she immediately answered. Instantly, a woman's triumphant voice, laughter came through the line.
"Willow, today is a big day for you and Felix, isn't it? Do you like the surprise gift I sent you?"
Her entire body went rigid as recognition hit her. Through clenched teeth, she spath, "Helen, you did this on purpose, didn't you? You lured Felix away, didn't you?"
"That's exactly right. Then what you gonna do about it? I just wanted to remind you that I've always come be first in Felix's heart." Helen's voice was dripped with full of arrogance; every word was laced with mockery.
"I bet you spent months planning all this. What a shame, though. All that hard work and those dreams lost. Honestly, I almost feel sorry for you."
She looked down at the pristine white fabric of her wedding dress. For the first time, she saw the past five years as nothing but a joke.
Ever since becoming an orphan, she had wanted a family. She could call it her own for love.
But Felix, he was never going to give her that.
Willow muttered to herself. It was time to stop begging for something that would never be hers.
A sharp, cold laugh escaped her lips. "Don't be so arrogant, Helen. My wedding will still happening."
Helen's tone instantly soured. "Are you out of your mind? Felix is the groom, and he's not even here. How do you plan on having a wedding without him?"
Willow's lips curved into a subtle, mocking smile.
"Who says the groom had to be Felix?"
"What do you mean?"
She smiled coldly. If he could walk away so easily, then she would find someone else—someone who deserved to standing by her side.
Her voice turned sharp and unwavering. "Well, since you've already called me, I'd like to ask you to please pass my message to Felix. Tell him I don't want him anymore.
He's not worth another second of my precious time. Since you want him so badly, be my guest and take him. You two are very compatible: You're both perfect for each other: one a spineless man and the other a shameless woman. You two are really a perfect match. Good luck!"
Helen's voice sounded sharp and filled with anger. "You! How dare you snitch on me, Willow! I'm warning you, don't push your lucky-!"
However, before she could finish her words, Willow ended the call. Helen, who was on the other end of the line, was upset.
Willow stared ahead. The wedding was about to start in thirty minutes. She had to find a replacement groom quickly.
Lifting the hem of her dress, she hurried outside.
Once outside, she was surprised. The place was swarming with men in black suits. Their imposing presence combed every corner, seemingly looking for something or someone, and their presence conveyed a clear message. But who? Willow wondered.
Amidst them was a man in a groom's suit sitting in a wheelchair. His posture was rigid with authority and dignified. He was motionless, yet his body exuded a cold, almost untouchable air.
He spoke to the bodyguards in front of him in a commanding voice.
"The wedding is about to begin. Have you found Brenda yet?"
The bodyguard hesitated, his expression tense. "Mister Stuart, we've searched the entire perimeter, but there's no sign of Miss Walton. It seems she had already fled..."
The man's voice was deep and even, but his gaze turned sharp, cold, and unforgiving. He looked like a predator watching its prey.
"fled?" The man's voice was deep and flat, but his gaze turned sharp, cold, and unforgiving. He watched her like a predator watching its prey.
"If this wedding doesn't happen on time, you know what that means," he muttered irritably.
Willow caught every word, and in that instant, she understood: He had been abandoned at the altar, just like her.
Without hesitation, she grabbed her wedding dress and stepped closer to him.
The man's bodyguards reacted immediately. They stepped forward in front of him with stiff, wary expressions.
"Miss, what are you doing here?"
The man in the wheelchair turned his attention to Willow, his presence looming like an approaching storm.
But Willow did not flinch. Her voice steady, she looked directly at the man. "Sir, I hear your bride has run away. If so, allow me to take her place. I am willing to be your bride."