11
Ambrose finally managed to calm Scarlett’s frayed nerves at the wedding venue.
But as the commotion subsided, a far more unsettling thought crept into his mind.
Hazel’s eyes, those cold, hollow eyes that had stared at him without a flicker of warmth, were etched into his
memory.
The haunting image refused to let go.
He needed to see her, speak to her, and reassure himself that everything would be fine.
C
Just as he took a step, the people around him quickly intervened. “What are you doing? It’s bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony! Just wait, it’s only a little while longer, and you’ll have forever to see her after this.”
Ambrose paused, his heart pounding in conflict.
Hazel was angry, that much was clear.
But the anger didn’t last forever. Once the vows were exchanged, he would find a way to fix things. After all, she
had always been patient, sensible, forgiving.
12:24 PM
Running Away from Marriage, Leaving Deception Behind
Surely, she wouldn’t let her emotions linger for long.
With that thought, Ambrose felt a flicker of calm settle over him as if convincing himself that everything was still under control. But by noon, Hazel was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, whispers began to ripple through the venue, each one more piercing than the last. Then came the bombshell: the bride had fled the wedding.
Before Ambrose could process the blow, the large screen lit up. What should have been their romantic video now displayed an entirely different scene.
The unmistakable sound of his intimate moments with Scarlett echoed through the hall, drowning the room in collective gasps and murmured disbelief.
Ambrose stood rooted to the spot, his breath caught in his chest. It felt as though lightning had struck, shattering his world in an instant.
Surprisingly, the first emotion that surged through him wasn’t anger. It was fear. Cold, unrelenting fear.
Hazel knew.
The realization hit him like a freight train. Her recent distant, detached demeanor suddenly made sense. The pieces of her strange behavior fell into place.
No wonder she had chosen this public humiliation over quietly enduring. No wonder she had cast aside the weight of family reputations and walked away without a backward glance.
She had known all along, and she had chosen to hold it in until now.
“Who put this video on? Who gave you permission to do this?” Ambrose demanded, his voice strained and
unsteady.
“Where is Hazel? Take me to her now! This isn’t what she thinks it is..
Ambrose blocked Hazel’s friends from leaving, his frustration mounting.
One of them sneered, her voice dripping with scorn. “What else did you want us to show? Your wedding prep video? Why don’t you take a good look at what you’ve been doing these past few months?”
Ambrose couldn’t find the words to defend himself.
What had he done? He had spent all his time with Scarlett.
He hadn’t been there to help decorate the wedding room or deal with the cameras. He hadn’t gone with Hazel to the photoshoot, hadn’t helped her pick out dresses, or even chosen the engagement ring. He hadn’t done anything a groom should have done.
Ambrose’s hands trembled as he fought to steady himself.
Gone was the calm and collected persona he usually wore like a second skin. In a frenzy, he barked orders at his people, demanding they find Hazel.
Five hours later, all he had learned was that Hazel had flown overseas with no other clues in sight.
