23
A year later, Lydia received a text message from Aurora. Her best friend was getting married and invited her to be a bridesmaid! Lydia was overjoyed; she immediately put down everything she was doing, bought a ticket, and prepared to fly over, Bastian, of course, also learned the news from his sister.
His hand paused, then he lowered his eyes and asked, pretending not to care.
“She’s getting ready to get married so soon?”
Over the past year, he had often heard about Aurora’s updates from his sister and knew she had a boyfriend who loved her deeply – but he hadn’t expected that she was already about to get married.
He couldn’t quite describe the feeling in his heart; Sebastian only felt his vision blurring, unable to clearly see the words under his pen. He heard a gentle voice come from the other end of Lydia’s speakerphone.
“Yeah, it’s about time I got married. I finally found the right person, and I don’t want to wait anymore.
It was Aurora. Her voice was soft, but there was a smile in it; one could tell right away she was living very happily.
Lydia was packing things up while talking to her on the phone.
Yeah, for sure. But are you planning to settle down abroad and not come back? You’ll still have to trouble me to run around; you little heartless one, you don’t even know to come find me.”
She scolded with a laugh, quickly finished packing her suitcase, and turned to wave at Sebastian.
I’m off, Sebastian!”
Sebastian didn’t speak. Not until Lydia had walked far away, until her back was no longer visible and the voice from the phone could no longer be heard, did he slowly put down the pen he was using to approve documents and press his palm against his forehead.
Tears fell. His heart ached so much he felt like he was suffocating. So this was what it felt like to watch the woman he deeply loved marry someone else. He had truly lost Aurora.
He trembled, unable to stop his painful tears, and cried out in suppressed agony.
Another year passed, and Lydia got married too. Aurora returned to the country and served as her bridesmaid as promised.
He hadn’t seen her for a long time. Sebastian controlled his emotions, as he placed his sister’s hand in his brothers–in–law at the wedding. Immediately, his gaze uncontrollably landed on Aurora.
Her bridesmaid dress was simple yet beautiful, attracting him so much that his breathing became shallow, as if afraid to disturb this dream.
After the wedding, Sebastian accompanied his sister to toast, and they arrived at Aurora’s table.
“Aurora, long time no see!” Lydia said with a smile.
Sebastian calmly nodded,” Long time no see, Aurora.”
He reached out his hand, and his glass gently clinked against hers. The crisp sound echoed in his excited heart. He wanted to say so much, such as, you’ve changed a lot, how have you been, are you happy, you…
All those impulses stopped the moment a man walked up; that was her husband.
The man put his arm around Aurora’s waist and took the glass of wine for her.
“Sorry, Aurora is pregnant, so she can’t drink. I’ll drink it on her behalf.”
Aurora’s face flushed slightly, while Lydia was surprised.
“You’re pregnant! Aurora, why didn’t you tell me? Don’t you love me anymore?”
She quickly explained, with a hint of bashful shyness.
“It’s only been a month. I wanted to wait a while, until it’s stable, before telling you. It’s still too early now.”
Lydia certainly didn’t agree with that; she immediately booked the godmother position, carefully and joyfully stroking Aurora’s flat belly, her husband’s eyes filled with tenderness and doting, and Aurora also wore a look of helpless happiness.
The three of them gathered together, only Sebastian seemed like an outsider.
Turns out the best ending is to become strangers.
He stared blankly at Aurora’s happy face, her gentle movements, seeing her and her husband leaning intimately together, his heart ached dully.
21.1%
< 23
He raised his wine glass and murmured to her.
“Congratulations, you’ve finally found your happiness.”
After speaking, he downed it in one gulp, feeling for the first time that this wine was so pungent and spicy.
He quietly left, no longer disturbing them.
A gust of wind blew past, Aurora looked up, only to find that the spot was already empty.
She was momentarily dazed, then shook her head; now the most important people to her were already by her side.
Menu
Aurora’s story ends here, but others are waiting to unfold.
Now, let’s glimpse the first taste of our new tale:
Lanie gave her childhood friends, Ethan and Mason, everything.
But the moment Qiana arrived, they forgot her birthday, dismissed her pain, and chose the intern over her every time.
So when Lanie quietly accepts an arranged marriage in Miami, they don’t believe her. Not when she buys the wedding dress. Not when she burns their photos.
And definitely not when she walks away forever.
Some goodbyes don’t need an audience…
Now, turn the page to a new beginning.
Happy reading!
< Lanie’s Story 1
Lanie’s Story 1
I’d secretly accepted a proposal to move back to Miami, all to escape them, my two childhood best friends.
I figured they wouldn’t care; their eyes were glued to that intern, anyway.
I’d imagined their reactions, the hurt, the pleading… maybe even a little anger.
Instead, they just stared, cold and unimpressed.
They were certain I wouldn’t leave.
But I was drowning in disappointment.
I bought a wedding dress, claimed it was for a wedding back home.
They called it a manipulative tactic.
I burned every photo we’d ever taken together.
They said I was trying to get their attention.
I showed them the marriage certificate.
They said I was overacting.
They were practically glued to that intern, completely unconvinced I’d willingly abandon them.
I didn’t care if they believed me.
A month from now, the wedding would come, and I’d be gone.
“Lanie, family arranged a marriage for you years ago. Now that you’re better, are you willing to go back to Miami and get married?” My mom’s voice crackled through the phone.“If not, I’ll talk to your dad, and we can call it off.”
Silence filled the dimly lit room.
Just as she braced herself for another refusal, I spoke.“I’ll go.”
My mother was stunned on the other end of the phone, as if something was unexpected. You… you agreed?”
My voice was flat.
“Yes, but I need a couple of weeks to wrap things up here. I’ll be back within two weeks, Mom. Start planning the wedding.”
I hung up, a weight lifting off my shoulders.
The moment the line disconnected, deafening music blasted from downstairs
I could even hear someone singing “Happy Birthday.”
Qiana’s shrill, over–the–top laughter pierced the air.
My two best friends, however, lapped it up.
I sighed.
It wasn’t the first time I’d witnessed this scene, but it still, stung.
This mansion used to be mine*.
Quiet, secluded, every corner designed to my liking.
a raucous birthday party.
Every day, my two best friends would rush over, showering me with snacks and flowers, bending over backwards to make me happy.
Now, they still came, but their affections were directed elsewhere.
As I
I descended the stairs, Qiana’s ecstatic shriek hit me.
She was practically dancing, surrounded by a mountain of lavish gifts.
Ethan, his dark eyes soft with affection, spoke first.
“It’s your nineteenth birthday, sweetheart. I got you my favorite sports car. I hope you love it.”
Mason wasn’t to be outdone.
“You always wanted an oceanfront house, right? This beachfront villa is all yours…
