Chapter 7

One day before the wedding, Jolene received a text: “I’m back. See you tomorrow.” The sender was anonymous, but she knew it was Cedric. A sense of calm soothed her uneasiness, and she slept well.

At 10:00 a.m. the next day, the Norwood family’s procession arrived at the Millers’ residence, cameras in tow. The marriage, uniting two noble families, would be broadcast live throughout the city.

Preston exited the car and went upstairs. He was momentarily stunned by Jolene in her white wedding gown. He experienced a sense of déjà vu, falling briefly into a trance. Only after someone prompted him did he offer his hand.

Jolene did not take it. She looked at him calmly. “Preston, you’re in the wrong place. You should be waiting in the guest area.”

His expression darkened. “Again? Don’t you know this wedding is being broadcast live? Must you act up and embarrass both our families?”

Jolene didn’t argue. Lifting her gown, she went downstairs. Preston clenched his outstretched hand, took a deep breath, and followed.

Just as he reached the wedding car, his phone rang. A while later, he closed the door and, looking at Jolene, said, “I have important matters to attend to and can’t go with you. Tell our families the wedding is called off.”

He expected her to be upset, embarrassed, to cry. Instead, she met his gaze calmly. “I told you, whether or not you show up doesn’t matter.”

He wasn’t the groom. Her nonchalance sent a flicker of panic through him. Still, he said gravely, “I said we’re calling off the wedding! I’m the groom, and I won’t be there. Do you really want to be the laughingstock of the city?”

Jolene didn’t reply. She told the driver to start the car, and the procession departed.

Having no time for her whims, Preston hailed a taxi. Arriving at the suburban hot spring resort, he found his friends gathered around Simone. He frowned. “Didn’t you say Simone was in danger?”

His friends pulled him inside, chuckling. “We lied! How else would you escape the wedding?” one said. Another chimed in, “We just wanted to see how embarrassed Jolene would be!”

Preston’s face changed. He shoved them aside. “This isn’t the time for this!”

Simone clung to his arm, her eyes reddened. “Pres, I really do have a headache. Keep me company? We’re far from the venue; you won’t make it in time anyway.”

Although true, Jolene…

As he hesitated, his friends turned on the live broadcast. The wedding was proceeding as planned. Everyone smiled mockingly at Jolene’s stubborn refusal to call it off.

“Does she still plan to go through with it? It’ll be embarrassing when the wedding starts without the groom!”

“Is she that desperate? She’s doing this at the expense of both families’ dignity. It’ll be hilarious if she can’t resolve the crisis!”

Preston didn’t understand Jolene. Anger clouded his expression. He considered contacting his family when he heard someone exclaim, “It’s starting!”

Preston looked up. Francis was leading Jolene down the aisle. She stood alone in the spotlight. For a long time, the groom didn’t appear. Question marks flooded the screen as the audience questioned the groom’s absence.

Preston’s friends doubled over with laughter. He knew this would happen. His expression cold, he growled, “How foolish!”

He was about to turn off the broadcast when he heard the emcee announce, “Here’s the groom!”

The door opened.