Runaway Bride, New Sunrise

2: 2

“Ms. Lyons, you can't be serious.” The girl on the phone sounded like she couldn't believe it.

“You've come by our office more than a dozen times to put this wedding together.”

“You looked at dozens of different wedding styles, visited the venue seven or eight times, and designed the invitations yourself. I've never met a bride who put so much of herself into it……”

The truth was, this wedding of mine and Percival's had come together in a rush.

Only because Grandma didn't have long, and she wanted to see me married and settled before she closed her eyes.

I talked it over with Percival, and he said right away that he'd make sure Grandma's wish came true.

And now this wedding sat in my throat like a swallowed fly.

“Cancel it,” I cut her off. “Because I don't want to get married anymore.”

Back home, I listed the wedding gown, the dress, the wedding shoes, and all the designer bags Percival had given me that never fit and I'd never carried, on the resale app.

The moment the upload finished, my phone chimed.

Deidre had posted an update on social media.

“What am I supposed to do? No matter how fast I try to stay mad, it never beats how sincerely a certain someone gives gifts!”

The photo showed Hermès's newest limited-edition bag.

And the figure in the background, I knew at a glance, was Percival.

I got up and went to the walk-in closet, took down from the shelf the bag that was exactly like Deidre's.

It was the birthday present Percival had given me a week ago.

After comparing them again and again, it all came clear.

Soon the comments on the resale app confirmed what I'd guessed.

“Are you kidding me? A pile of knockoffs, and you've got the nerve to price them this high.”

“Right? Out of these ten, only the smallest one is real, and she still dares to call them authentic.”

“Probably some rich guy fobbing off a clueless Cinderella like her. See, wherever the money goes, that's where the love is.”

……

Tears struck the screen, and my throat felt stuffed with wet cotton.

So it turned out his love had quietly moved on without my ever knowing.

My phone rang, and Percival's voice came through, thick with resentment.

“Laurel, are you done making a scene?”

“Selling off the gown and the dress. Do you plan to marry me stark naked?”

“Take the things down right now, apologize to Deidre, and we'll let today's whole mess go.”

A laugh escaped me. “What did I do wrong that I need to apologize to her?”

Percival sighed, like he was lecturing a child who wouldn't listen.

“Let's stick to the facts. Deidre worked herself ragged helping you arrange this wedding, and the moment you're unhappy you want to cut her off. You're telling me that's not wrong?”

“And you know perfectly well she's insecure in relationships, and today you still said something that cut so deep. Do you have any idea? She cried the whole way home when I dropped her off tonight.”

“Just because I spoil you doesn't mean you get to jab at her sore spots every chance you get.”

Every line sounded like he was looking out for me, and every word was defending Deidre.

I never knew that Percival, who had once loathed Deidre so much, had somehow become the person who understood her best.

“I won't apologize, because the ones in the wrong are you two.”

I hung up and sold everything on the resale app at a low price.

In less than an hour, it had all been snapped up.

I fell asleep alone at home, until a burst of frantic ringing woke me in the dead of night.

“Ms. Lyons, come quickly. Your grandmother's been taken into the emergency room. We need you to sign the critical condition notice.”