Chapter 9
Chapter 9
The next day at the hospital.
Isabella was getting discharged. Nathan had sent me several texts about preparing nutritious meals for her, but never got any replies.
Only Isabella rubbed her belly with a blissful expression.
Thank God the baby’s fine. Won’t affect tomorrow’s wedding.”
Nathan said nothing, his mind stuck on the image of me kneeling yesterday, and the way I’d been looking at him these past few days.
Empty. Eerily calm.
in inexplicable restlessness gnawed at him. He called his driver.
Go to the jewelry store and buy that diamond necklace I liked two months ago.”
sabella’s face lit up. “You’ve already given me so many gifts lately…”
It’s for Jade.”
¡athan cut her off. Isabella’s expression darkened.
What’s the occasion?”
Tomorrow’s her thirtieth birthday.”
sabella swallowed her rage. “What a coincidence! Well, she’s been so helpful-she deserves a reward.”
ack home, Nathan didn’t see me anywhere.
Jade’s not here!”
sabella tried to comfort him: “She’s probably just upset, so she moved out. Don’t worry-tomorrow’s our wedding and she’s my ridesmaid. She’ll definitely show up on time!”
Yeah, you’re right. She’ll definitely be there.”
Despite his reassurances, Nathan felt an hollow ache in his chest.
ate that night, Nathan tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Finally he went out to the balcony and lit a cigarette.
After a few drags, he remembered my words: “No smoking! If you smoke too much, you’ll die before me! I’d be heartbroken.”
Actually, he hadn’t smoked in ages, but tonight his mood was so dark. Tomorrow was his wedding-he should be happy.
He pulled out his phone, wanting to call me, but ended up just sending a text:
[Be on time for bridesmaid duties tomorrow. Make Isabella unhappy again and you know what happens.]
After sending it, he frowned. “Damn it. I wanted to be sweet to her, but it came out all wrong.”
He stared at his phone screen for a long moment, even stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray with visible irritation.
22:59
Chapter 9
Finally, he forced down that nagging regret about “saying the wrong thing”-with the wedding scheduled for tomorrow, whatever emotions he was feeling would have to wait until after this ceremony that everyone would be watching.
On the wedding day, everyone who mattered in the city showed up.
Isabella walked down the aisle in her custom gown, arm linked with Nathan’s, as they appeared at the ceremony.
People swarmed them with congratulations.
“Mr. Pierce, congratulations!”
“Mr. Pierce, happy wedding! Mrs. Pierce, may you have children soon!”
All the company employees arrived one by one-everyone except me.
“Where’s Jade?”
Nathan grabbed one of the employees. The man shook his head. “I don’t know. Didn’t Secretary Rivers come?”
Isabella’s face darkened. “This is impossible! She’s my bridesmaid-why isn’t she here yet?”
An employee speculated: “Maybe something came up and she’s running late?”
Nathan pulled out his phone, seeing yesterday’s unanswered text message.
His heart started racing. He felt like something was slipping away from him-that loss of control made him deeply uncomfortable.
“I’m calling her.”
He dialed my number repeatedly. No answer.
Tried FaceTime calling. Still nothing.
“Something must have really happened.”
Nathan was panicking but trying to stay composed. “You guys-call the hospitals. See if anyone named Jade Rivers was admitted.”
“Yes sir, right away!”
The employees frantically made calls but found no trace of me anywhere.
Seeing his distress, Isabella urged: “Nathan, the ceremony’s starting. We can do without a bridesmaid-let’s just go ahead!”
“No”
Nathan frowned. “We have to wait for her,”
Right as the ceremony was about to begin and everyone was getting impatient, the HR manager came running over in a panic.
“Mr. Pierce, congratulations on your wedding! Sorry I’m late-there was something at the office.”
“You came from the office? Did you see Jade?”
“I did.” The HR manager nodded. “She came to collect her personal belongings, then left.”
“Left?” Nathan’s face went ashen, his voice trembling. “Left for where?”
22:59
Chapter 9
“I heard she’s starting at a new company. Mr. Pierce, Secretary Rivers resigned days ago! Yesterday was her last day. She came this morning for her personal items and left right after.”
The HR manager added: “Didn’t you know? Didn’t you personally sign her resignation letter?”
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
