When Love Fades in the Light

That day, my sister, Ruby Seafield, was the one who picked me up. Upon hearing her familiar voice through the phone, I burst into tears.

She was admitted to the hospital for gastrointestinal bleeding. However, when she heard me cry, she immediately pulled out the indwelling needle and came to get me without hesitation. She didn't even know what happened to me when she did so.

I was in a terrible state. Pulling me into her arms, she asked, heartbroken, "Riley, why didn't you tell us what happened to you? How would Mom and Dad really be mad at you? They just thought it was embarrassing to take the initiative to contact you!

"How dare he bully my family! I must make him pay!"

Although the Seafield family wasn't as rich as the Caldwell family, which had been affluent for generations, we were wealthy nonetheless. Otherwise, my parents wouldn't have been so mad back then. They didn't understand why I was so lovesick when I was well-provided for and well-loved.

I couldn't understand what I was thinking back then too. Fortunately, I had the chance to start anew.

Ruby arranged for me to travel. For half a month, I experienced severe emotional withdrawal symptoms. However, I strictly kept myself in check and didn't contact Chester even once.

Finally, one evening, he remembered me. He sent me a text message instead of a voice message, as though he forgot I couldn't see anything.

On the train, I got someone to read out his message to me. "That's enough. Stop acting up. We've been together for all these years. Why do you have to behave like this? Our wedding is in a few days. If you're going to make a scene, do it after the wedding!"

I didn't reply to his message. Seemingly angry, he sent me an angry text. It read, "Many of our friends and family will attend our wedding. Are you going to humiliate me like that?"

I couldn't help but sneer. It turned out he never took my message to break up seriously. It was as though he was sure I wouldn't leave him. He had a point. I was blind. How would I be able to survive without him?

I thanked the stranger and felt around the keypad to type, "I'll come."

I could already imagine his expression when he read that. He must be full of himself, thinking that I was too easy to persuade.

…

The wedding preparations went on as usual. I'd already decided what flowers to go with when the wedding planner company called. "Let's go with yellow roses. That's Yvette's favorite flower."

Not knowing who Yvette was, they agreed in a vague manner.

Ruby told me that Yvette was delighted to see the yellow roses on the day of the wedding.

She heard Yvette telling Chester happily, "Chester, I knew you still love me. This act will be over when you marry her to preserve her dignity before others for what she's done for you. After that, you can divorce her in a few years' time. I'll always wait for you."

As Chester smiled, he looked at the entrance. It was almost time, yet I, the bride, was nowhere to be seen. Panic crept into him. He started calling me frantically, only to realize I'd blocked him.

Guests started congratulating him. "I heard you were able to see again thanks to your virtuous, supportive partner, Mr. Caldwell. You two are truly a match made in heaven."

"You didn't forget your partner who went through thick and thin with you even after expanding your business. You're truly worthy of our admiration!"

Amid their words of flattery, Chester slowly lost his patience.

He went to Ruby and asked demandingly, "Where is Riley? Have you and your family kept her hidden away?"

His face was flushed, and he was clearly furious. According to Ruby, he was never that frantic even when he missed out on a deal worth tens of millions of dollars.

It felt thoroughly invigorating to me.

Ruby admired the look of panic on him before asking in feigned surprise, "Riley? Haven't you two broken up already? I thought you were marrying Yvette today! Look—all her favorite flowers are here!"

There was an uproar among the crowd.

Even Chester's father, Harold Caldwell, strode up to him. Without asking further, he gave Chester a hard slap. "What's going on?"

His mother, Linda Barnes, also roared, "We'll only acknowledge Riley as our daughter-in-law. How dare you substitute her for this tart!"

The bystanders murmured among themselves.

"Does that mean he's got his mistress to be his wife instead?"

"I used to think he was loyal. To think he eventually lost to temptations."

"Alas, that young lady from the Seafield family gave up her eyesight for him!"

…

The wedding ended with everyone criticizing Chester. Under their gazes, his face paled, and he grew flustered.

He was at his wits' end, and his anxiety gave into anger. Snatching Ruby's phone, he dashed into a room and called me.

In a grim voice, he demanded, "Riley Seafield, what are you up to? Is this how you're taking your revenge?"

He was tremendously resentful. His labored breathing slowed down in the prolonged silence.

Eventually, he inhaled deeply. As though he'd made a resolve, he said, "Alright, stop this nonsense. I apologize, okay? Hurry up and come back. We must carry on with the wedding, or the Caldwell family's reputation will be in ruins!

"You ran away from home and pretended to have been sexually assaulted. Now you didn't even show up at our wedding. Haven't you done enough?"

There was a loud bang as Ruby barged in. Her eyes were bloodshot as she snatched the phone from him and threw it on the floor.

Pointing at him, she scolded, "Are you even human, Chester Caldwell? Do you know Riley had really been violated that night?"

Chester froze, and his expression changed. For a long time, he didn't say a word.