Chapter 13

Estella pressed her lips together before saying seriously, “I’m sorry I misunderstood you back then, and even lashed out without knowing the full story.” Her voice grew softer with every word, and her face burned with embarrassment. But the next moment, Kewan’s words left her completely stunned.

“Now that you know it was all a misunderstanding, can’t I have a chance to explain?” His intense gaze sent a shiver through her heart. She’d never imagined that Rowan would still have feelings for her after all these years. After all, Jenson had been with her for six years, yet he’d never truly understood Emily. But she’d just ended a failed relationship; she wasn’t ready to jump into another one so soon.

She hesitated for a moment before voicing her thoughts honestly. “I’m sorry, I’m not looking to start a new relationship right now!”

Rowan didn’t back down. “After you rejected me back then, I wanted to explain everything, but you blocked me. At that time, my family was going through some issues, and by the time I’d dealt with them, I heard you already had a boyfriend. So, all I could do was wish you well. Estle, I never forgot you. Not for a single day in these six years. Can you at least consider giving me a chance?”

Meanwhile, in Strenstead, Jenson hadn’t had a single good night’s sleep ever since Extella had blocked his number. He’d searched everywhere he could think of, but there was no trace of her. Unable to face an empty home without her and accept that she was truly gone, Jenson booked a hotel room, trying to escape reality. Yet, no matter what he did, sleep eluded him. Only drowning himself in alcohol every night gave him even the slightest chance of falling asleep.

That evening, he carried a large bag of liquor back to his hotel room. As he stepped inside, he got a call from a friend. “Jenson, the wedding dress you ordered two weeks ago is being delivered to your place.” Only then did Jenson remember that he and Extella had visited a bridal shop together two weeks ago.

Back then, he’d just learned about Emily’s situation, and all his attention had been on her. He hadn’t even taken a proper look at Estella in the wedding dress before leaving her behind in a hurry. A wave of bitterness and regret surged in his heart. He didn’t regret helping Emily; he just regretted neglecting Estella. If only he’d cared for her a little more, maybe she wouldn’t have left so decisively.

“Okay. Wait for me at the door. I’ll be right there.” n’s voice was hoarse as he said this. With that, he turned and headed for the door. “There’s no rush. Your wife’s home. She already signed for it.”

Jeason’s entire body went stiff. The bag of liquor slipped from his grasp, and bottles shattered on the floor. “W-What did you just say? Who signed for—?” His friend, startled by his sudden change in tone, laughed. “Why are you so worked up? Who else could it be? Your wife, of course. Unless there’s another woman—” Before he even finished speaking, Jenson had already hung up.

Jenson ran to the street and flagged down a cab, heading straight home. His heart pounded wildly, his mind racing. There was only one thought consuming him—Estella was back. She’d forgiven him. After all, they had six years of history together, and they’d been about to get married. There was no way she could just walk away so easily. Besides, he’d never actually cheated. If Estella had just been angry, once she calmed down, everything would be fine. How that she’d returned, and Emily was no longer an issue, their wedding could go on as planned. They would never be apart again. His anxious heart thrilled at the thought.

The cab sped through the streets. When they reached his apartment complex, Jenson didn’t bother waiting for the elevator. He took the stairs, running up to the eighth floor. As he opened the door, he rushed inside. The moment he saw the beautiful figure standing there in a wedding dress, he could no longer hold back the longing that had been tearing at him. Striding forward, he pulled her into his arms.

“You’re finally back. I know I messed up. I’ll make it up to you, I promise, just don’t leave again, okay?” His voice trembled, and before he knew it, tears streamed down his face.