My Sister Got Married and Divorced Eight Times

The nineteenth of January arrived in the blink of an eye.

Since Maurice Congreve's family was from out of town, according to our local customs, he was supposed to come a day early to fetch the bride, as agreed with our family.

I had been on edge since the night before.

In these days, I often opened my chat history with Maurice, desperately wanting to ask, "Have you made up your mind? Are you going to marry her or not?"

But every time I typed the question, I deleted it, too scared to send it.

I was conflicted to the point of bursting!

The next day, Shirley put on her most beautiful makeup, waiting for Maurice to arrive.

I cautiously asked her, "Shirley, have you been in touch with Maurice these past few days? How are his preparations going?"

Shirley's expression became a bit unnatural. "Maurice said there's a tradition in his place where the couple shouldn't see or contact each other for half a month before the wedding for good luck."

My heart sank.

Had Maurice made up his mind?

Which place would have such a tradition? It was obviously an excuse.

But seeing the hopeful look in Shirley's eyes, I couldn't bear to tell her the truth.

Eight o'clock, nine o'clock, ten o'clock, eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock...

Time ticked by, and still no sign of Maurice.

Shirley's eyes gradually dimmed. She moved a chair to the doorway, staring blankly at the gate.

"Polly, do you think Maurice regrets it?" she muttered.

I almost burst into tears but quickly turned away, covering my eyes so she wouldn't see.

After a long pause, I murmured, "Maybe there's traffic. It could be delayed..."

Shirley sighed softly and fell silent.

We waited from sunrise to sunset.

The weather was chilly in January. Seeing Shirley's forlorn figure sitting there, I hurried to drape a thick coat over her shoulders.

"Shirley, let's go inside. Maybe it's for the best if he doesn't come..."

Shirley sighed heavily, as if waking from a spell, and prepared to stand.

But she had been sitting too long, and she staggered as she got up.

I quickly supported her, and just then, a blinding light shone into the yard, like the first rays of dawn piercing the night, illuminating everything!

Maurice had arrived!

He actually came!