Ambrose finally calmed Scarlett's frayed nerves at the wedding venue. But as the commotion subsided, a far more unsettling thought emerged: Hazel's cold, hollow eyes, devoid of warmth, were etched into his memory. The haunting image persisted. He needed to see her, speak to her, and reassure himself.

Just as he moved, others intervened. "What are you doing? It's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony! Wait, it's only a little while longer, and you'll have forever after." Ambrose paused, his heart pounding. Hazel was angry, that much was clear, but her anger wouldn't last. Once the vows were exchanged, he would fix things. She had always been patient, sensible, forgiving. Surely, her emotions wouldn't linger. This thought brought a flicker of calm, a self-convincing assurance that everything was under control.

But by noon, Hazel was gone. Whispers rippled through the venue, each more piercing than the last, culminating in a bombshell: the bride had fled. Before he could process this, the large screen illuminated, not their romantic video, but a scene of his intimate moments with Scarlett. His betrayal echoed through the hall, drowning the room in gasps and disbelief.

Ambrose stood frozen, breathless. It felt as if lightning had struck, shattering his world. Surprisingly, his first emotion wasn't anger, but cold, unrelenting fear. Hazel knew. The realization hit him like a freight train. Her recent distance and detachment now made sense. No wonder she chose public humiliation over quiet endurance; no wonder she disregarded family reputations and left without looking back. She had known all along, and waited until now.

"Who put this video up? Who gave you permission?" Ambrose demanded, his voice strained. "Where is Hazel? Take me to her! This isn't what she thinks it is…"

He blocked Hazel's friends from leaving, his frustration mounting. One sneered, her voice dripping with scorn. "What else did you want us to show? Your wedding prep video? Why don't you look at what you've been doing these past few months?"

Ambrose was speechless. What had he done? He'd spent all his time with Scarlett. He hadn't helped decorate, deal with cameras, go to the photoshoot, help choose dresses, or even select the engagement ring. He hadn't done anything a groom should have.

His hands trembled as he fought for composure. Gone was his usual calm demeanor. Frantically, he barked orders, demanding they find Hazel. Five hours later, he only knew she had flown overseas, leaving no other clues.