Chapter 10

Soon, the wedding ceremony was about to begin. Just as I was getting ready, my aunt rushed in, her face flushed with frustration.

She gave me a big hug and shoved a thick red envelope into my hands.

"I don't know what happened. The taxi was acting up, circling around before it finally dropped me off here," she fumed, exasperated.

I didn't think much of it at first, just assuming the driver was trying to avoid traffic. I told her to sit and relax while I made my way to the stage.

But from the moment I stepped into that room, an unease settled in my chest, a feeling I couldn't shake.

As the ceremony progressed, we reached the ring exchange, and suddenly, a voice from outside shouted, "Stop! I object!"

Before anyone could react, Jason's tall figure appeared before us, making his presence known.

My parents' faces darkened immediately. They barked orders at the security, but Jason, who usually cared about appearances, didn't back down. He fought off the guards and charged toward the stage, determination in his eyes.

He reached out his hand toward me. "Rachel, you can't marry him. You belong with me! I know I was wrong before. I admit it all. Please, give me another chance. I'm begging you…"

"I'll do anything, Rachel. I'll be there for your birthday, buy you your favorite cake. I remember you can't have cream, so I'll eat it for you. Please, come with me. I'll agree to anything if you leave with me today."

His voice cracked with desperation, and it was just like the dream I'd had before. But hearing his pleas didn't stir a thing in me.

Greg stepped forward without a word, positioning himself between us. He turned to the bodyguards, "Get him out of here."

Within moments, the bodyguards had him under control, dragging him out of the venue. I watched, unfazed, as he was hauled away, looking more pitiful than I'd ever seen him.

After he was gone, I turned back to the stage and exchanged rings without hesitation. The host quickly made light of the disruption with a joke, and the ceremony continued.

Afterward, we greeted relatives and friends, and once it was over, Greg quietly reminded me to go deal with Jason.

Seeing his calm demeanor, I nodded and lifted my dress, walking toward the hotel exit.

Jason was sitting on the sidewalk, his face battered and bruised, blood staining his clothes. When he saw me, he gritted his teeth and staggered toward me, dropping to his knees in front of me.

"Rachel, listen to me. I was an idiot before. I know I messed up. Please, give me a chance. Let me make it up to you," he pleaded.

"I even brought back the necklace Yvonne stole. Look!" He opened his palm to reveal the necklace.

But by now, it meant nothing to me. His apology, his gift, none of it mattered anymore. The necklace was just another piece of the past I wanted to forget.

Jason's frantic energy only escalated when he saw my lack of reaction.

"I know I was wrong. After you left, I watched the security footage. You never laid a hand on her. She lied. I didn't trust you, I let her fool me. It's all my fault. Please, just give me a chance. You can blame me, but let me make things right."

"We've known each other for 10 years. We grew up together. We promised we'd walk down the aisle together. Don't you remember that?" His voice cracked.

I nodded, my heart cold.

"Yes, let's say I forgot," I said, my tone icy. "I was the one who changed my mind. Does that make you feel better? Think whatever you want."

I looked him straight in the eye and said, "I'm already married. You and I are over. There's no reason to stay in touch anymore."

His hand trembled as he reached for a small box, holding it out to me.

"Not even these?" he asked, his voice shaking.

I opened the box to reveal 9,998 pictures, printed perfectly, like a miniature version of the album I'd burned.

Before he could say another word, I grabbed it from his hands and threw it into the lake.

Jason's eyes widened in shock, and he scrambled to jump in after it. But by the time he got to the water, the album was gone, just like our relationship, completely beyond saving.

I watched him struggle in the water, disheveled and soaking wet, as I delivered my final words.

"Jason, we were never truly together. But today, I'm officially saying goodbye. Don't make me hate you. Let the last good memory of you stay in the past."

With that, I turned and walked away.

Greg was waiting for me at the entrance. I climbed into the car with him, and as we drove away, I couldn't help but glance back one last time.

Goodbye, Jason. Goodbye, my decade of youth.