Chapter 6

I was overjoyed, thinking that Jason had finally made up his mind about us and wanted to make things work.

So, like a fool, I agreed to his request.

For the past ten years, I'd spent every major holiday with his family instead of my own. Now, standing before my aging, weary parents, I felt a deep, indescribable guilt.

I nodded firmly.

"Don't worry, I'm not a kid anymore. I can't just run home every time I hit a bump in the road. Besides, I'm getting married to build a good life. I trust Dad's judgment."

My parents visibly relaxed, relieved that I wasn't resisting the arranged marriage.

"That's good, that's good. We were worried about you and that boy... but never mind, we won't talk about it. Is everything settled over there? If anything comes up later, just have your aunt handle it. You'll be newly married, and it won't be convenient for you to keep running back and forth."

At the mention of Jason, my heart skipped a beat, my pupils flickering.

"Yeah, it's all taken care of. Auntie asked me to send her regards. She'll come to the wedding after finishing work tonight."

Mom and Dad led me to the car to head home.

Suddenly, the sharp ring of my phone cut through the silence.

I glanced at the caller ID, an unfamiliar name, but the number looked strangely familiar.

When I answered, Jason's voice was barely controlled, full of anger.

"Rachel, you've really got some nerve! Who gave you permission to block me? Where did you go? Where are you now?"

"You hurt Yvonne and don't even have a word to say? You didn't even bother cleaning up the decorations before disappearing!"

"I'm giving you one hour to show up at the hospital and apologize to Yvonne! If you don't, I swear I'll be really pissed this time!"

I was about to speak when I heard Yvonne's soft voice in the background.

"It's okay, it's just a small injury. Don't blame Rachel, she didn't mean to. Maybe she just didn't like the decorations. I saw her staring at them, and I thought she'd like them. It's my fault..."

The call ended abruptly, no doubt with Jason rushing to comfort Yvonne.

A wave of nausea surged up in my throat, and I could hardly contain it.

Mom noticed my pale expression and asked, concerned,

"Sweetie, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick from the trip? Where does it hurt? Should I go buy you some medicine?"

I quickly shook my head.

"I'm fine. It was just a spam call. Let's go home."

"How are the wedding preparations going? Should we stop by to try on the dress? We only gave them your measurements, and I'm worried it won't fit properly tomorrow."

Mom thought for a moment before telling Dad to turn the car around and head to the bridal shop.

"You're so thoughtful. But the dress was handmade by a master craftsman. As long as your measurements were right, it should be fine. But trying it on is a good idea. I want to see my baby as a bride in advance."

Seeing the excitement in her eyes, I couldn't bring myself to say no.

The traffic was awful, and it took an hour to get to the bridal shop.

With the staff's help, it took another hour to slip into the wedding dress.

As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, both familiar and foreign, tears welled up in my eyes.

This dress was everything I'd dreamed of, so beautiful.

Too bad the groom had changed.

Mom excitedly pulled out her phone to snap photos, capturing the moment.

Before I could stop her, she'd already posted the pictures online.

"My daughter is stunning, just like a model! I'm sharing this for everyone to admire and be jealous!"

I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm, but I was helpless to stop her.

She set the photo as her wallpaper, her social media background, anywhere a photo could go.

The motherly love she'd held back for ten years poured out all at once, and I couldn't find the words to refuse her.