Chapter 5
Hugo snapped back to reality, instinctively nodding his head.
“I didn’t think Katherine was the type to pull something like this. Turns out I was wrong about her. Using such a cheap trick is beneath her.
“We’ll continue the ceremony. Ignore her.”
With that, he slid the ring onto Sophia’s finger.
Then, he lowered his head and placed a kiss on her forehead.
Sophia beamed and asked, “Hugo, are you willing to spend the rest of your life with me?”
Hugo instinctively wanted to correct her–after all, he had only promised to give Sophia a wedding ceremony and nothing more.
Spending a lifetime together was never part of the deal.
He had always planned to share forever with Katherine, but when the words reached his lips, he changed them. “I do.”
Thunderous applause filled the hall, yet Hugo felt an inexplicable emptiness inside.
His gaze swept across the crowd, searching for a familiar figure, as if waiting for someone to jump out and tell him this was all a joke.
But he found nothing.
After stepping off the stage, he wasted no time seeking out a familiar face.
“Where’s Katherine?” he asked urgently.
People shook their heads. “We haven’t seen her.”
A surge of anger flared in Hugo’s chest.
“Katherine Blake! Does she not understand simple instructions? I reminded her so many times to be at the wedding, and now she’s run off somewhere?
“If she doesn’t show up soon, she can forget about registering our marriage!”
Just as he reached for his phone to call her, Sophia appeared.
She smoothly took his phone from his grasp and sighed.
“Hugo, you’re too soft–hearted and impulsive. That’s why Katherine always has the upper hand with you while keeping herself on a pedestal.
“Think about it–for how long have you chased after her? If you keep lowering yourself for her for the rest of your life, won’t you get tired?
“If you contact her now, you’ll just be playing right into her hands. Let her sit with it for a while–she’ll come crawling back soon enough.”
Hugo hesitated.
Then, Sophia added softly, “Didn’t you say you’d listen to me today?”
Guilt gnawed at him.
Hearing those words, he immediately complied, letting Sophia take his hand as she led him through the crowd, toasting and showing off.
1/2
Chapter 5
+15 Bonus
By the time the wedding finally ended, it was already late at night.
Hugo helped a completely drunk Sophia into the car before pulling out his phone to call Katherine.
“Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently switched off.”
Then came the monotonous beep of a dead line.
His expression darkened as he left a voicemail.
“What the hell are you trying to do? I was only late because of the wedding, and you’re throwing a tantrum over it?
“You’re at home, aren’t you? I’m bringing Sophia back now–stop sulking like you’re dying or something. It’s annoying. I don’t owe you anything, Katherine.”
Hanging up, he gripped the steering wheel and drove home.
Still holding Sophia with one arm, he struggled to take out his keys and unlocked the door himself.
Sophia rolled over on the couch, slurring, “Hugo, I’m hungry. I want something to eat.”
Hugo walked straight to Katherine’s bedroom door and banged on it.
“Katherine Blake! Get out here! Sophia’s drunk. Take care of her.
“Didn’t you hear me? She said she was hungry. You’re good at cooking, aren’t you? Come make her some soup.”
But inside, there was only silence.
Hugo hesitated.
He pressed his ear to the door, thinking she was ignoring him out of spite.
So, he softened his voice.
“Katherine, don’t be stubborn, alright?”
Still, there was no response. A trace of unease crept into his heart.
He turned the doorknob–only to find it unlocked. After pushing the door open, he froze.
The room was spotless, as if no one had ever lived there.
Only the desk in front of him held a single box.
Hugo opened it. Inside were all the gifts he had ever given Katherine.
On top of the box, there was a single sticky note.
“Three’s a crowd. I’m stepping out. I give my best regards to Mr. Laurent and Ms. Mendes–may you have a long and happy marriage, and many children.”
Support
