Chapter 10
My mother’s amending physician had been changed to Greg Hill. After speaking with him, Heft his officewithahenyheat
A max at indotjam chimmel within me elet and perh
Relvet beuse coing advocated for trial mine the asse
mould do his best to make h
as possible, as long as she stayed
Appertension because he had also paid the importance of a calm and stable entenement Anyrmational turmoil could be devastating for her fragile state,
|| my martiger wertotice any spheral, she wouldn’t be able to handle
jest i thought, Imade my way back to her room. Easing eunade the door, Hock a deep breath, naveghemystiftice into a smile before stepping inside.
Sining. I picked up a berry thad washed rakiet and gently plantit in her mouth.
My mother laughed as she ate it, but her gone thickerndhoward the door. “Where’s Govvid“:
“He had tanah back to the ethee for an emergency,” Taktlightly.
He expersión dunned tie a moment, but she unckle cnrial it with astike. She picked another beiry from the bag and popped it into my mouth. “Did you tell Gun bout the
Peening artis hueveux trese, Treplied, “Tean‘) just tellhan such manderful news so easy! I need to plan a big surprise for 1 m
“Mom, wiland Alex have to keep this a secret tos. Don‘ Laccidentally let it slip in out of Gavin added with mock serbusness.
“Alright, alright,” my mother sast with a helpless chuckle, “You’re about to be a mother yourself, yet you’re still so childish ”
– Even if i become a mim, I’ll always be your child,” I teased, leaning closer to her.
“You little rascal “my mother said, her lighter soft but in bed with warmth
ten spending along time chatting with my mother in the hospital, t
onlaha was starting to look tired
Da die dower back to the could residence, Hound myself doing on in the car. Ishaps it was because of the pregnancy, but thad been feeling particularly sleggy these days, as if no
I didn’t know how much time had passed before the car door suddenly opened, and a gust at cool wind brushed against my face. Groggily, Fopened my
Gracie, vou’re still sleeping?“” Amelia greeted me with a bright smile, pently holding my mist. “We’ve been waiting for you! The wedding dress ser ordered has arrived. Come un
and try it on II there’s anything that doesn’t it, we can have the designer make aljustments tonight–the wedding is just around the corner”
The wedding dima had been ordered a month ago, and mymekumments were taken at the time,
But when I tried on, looticed the lock and my stomach feltalneg
the designer seemed to notice too and joked with a smile,” seems Mrs. God has been taking good care of herself lately–there’s a little hummy showing!”
funded arkwathy, about to respond when the designer added, “Could it be a double erkbration?”
As soon as those word let her mouth, Amelia’s eyes lit up with hope, her gare tiedon me with unspoken anticipation
clwart skipped a beat, and clenched my hands tightly, my nas digging into my palms without realining
u’s expectant look, I couldn’t bring myself to deceive her. She was one of the members of the Gould Jamily scho truly treated memel
But with my urge to twin teetering läve a tragerat in astor, that no choke but to harden my heart
“probably just from nating so much lately,” I said, deliberately lowering my head to emphasize a double chin. “Thave gained abit of weight”
nela chuckled, stuakingterhead “Nonsense! You weur busy before–herp eating and stay healty”
steturned to untra i die drugiet to adjust the dress slightly
ds tenn, Mori Gru? Didact you two go to the hospital together to see Elizabeth? Why did you come back alone?”
thur achar in my chest. “He probalily had sobirthing urgent comeup at the office.”
elar’a leuw barstowed “It’s that Mandy again, in th?
(The head, all I could’t help but afruit in “Can lett as soon as he got acall from her ”
Langer Hardinstantly. “He’s just like his tatbed”
Helen regend, lating my lip into that had wipers about Victor’s history with Mandy’s mother, though the details were unclear. What I did know was that Victor had
Desotong, he probably wishint tang world divorce me and end up with her
“Guare,die/1ptijser Whim tanti gets luck, I’ll girliana pince otary mind!“ Amelia promised.
After trying on tardimus, Lenses and jewelry by the finerything was done, tribal real
inally decided iscomse ka k2 Anella didici kobitak, scolding him with awning of complants while giving him meatingful books. “Lang Gracie alone at the hospital?
“Go try on your suit,” she added “The wedding set werke an addition asher.“
Gavin put on the quit, his gaze thickering toward me as it testing the wares
I was too drained to engage with him. Finding as excuse, I quietly headed upstairs.
After washing up, I lay down, hoping for some peace. But Gavin walked in moments later,
Tignored him and turned away, but he came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me and burying his face in the crook of my neck. His voice was low and tinged with exhaustion. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to leave you at the hospital. It won’t happen again.”
I posted his arms off and turned to face him. “What did you promise me last night, Gavin? It hasn’t even been a day, and you’ve already forgotten!”
“It’s not like that. Mindy’s depression acted up, and I was worried something might happen-
“Did anything happen? I interrupted coldly
te hesitated before finally admitting, “No.”
1 let out a hitter Laugh. “Every time it’s about Mandy, you lose all sense of reason. Gavin, I’ve said it before–If you still have feelings for her, we should.”
Before could say “divorce,” Gavin cut me off, his voice rising “I’ve told you, there’s nothing betwem is anymore. It’s over! All that’s left is a sense of gratitude”
“is that so?” I asked, my tone icy. “If you want to repay her, it should be her ex–husband, Andrew, you’re thanking. She’s divorced now, Gavin, What exactly are you trying to
His brows furrowed as he rushed to reassure me. “I promise this won’t happen again. I’ll make sure of it-
“I’m tired,” I said flatly, turning away!
Gavin’s lips pressed into a thin line, his patience clearly wearing thin. After a long pause, he took a deep breath. “I’ve already apologized. Let’s not fight anymore, okay? I swear it won’t happen again.”
He added in a lower voice, “Even if you don’t care about yourself, think about Elizabeth She can’t handle any more stress in her condition.”
chapler
G’s words hii right where it hart most, lewing me stunned and speechless. I stared
disbelief, as though the man before me was some
Conger recognized
“Twin Stars of
I couldn’t help but think back to the Gavin Eknew during our university days–charming, comprised, and admired by everyone. He and Tom were Tube Undersity“, rewred for their looks, character, and achievements. There wasn’t a girl on campus who didn’t he ash on them.
But now everything had changed
Ewenny youthful, fet love for him seemed like nothing more than a fizeting illusion:
Gavin most have taken myvidence as an acquiescence. He let out a small sigh of relief and pulled or into his arms, his voice soft and pleating, “I promise you, Mandy and Larr
I was just about to push him away when his phone began to vrate is his pocket.
And when saw the name en the caller ID, I couldn’t help but let out abotter inch.
“Anawet it.” I said an 1 stepped back from his embowe
Disappointment upon disappointment had left me numb, thafn’t realized how easy it masterode a decade of love.
Goya fromet, ignacing the call and hanging up.
That Mandy wasn’t the type to give up.
The phone buzzed agan, and Gain once more declined the call. Again, and again, she called. I stood there watching the scene unfold, unable to suppress a humorless chuckle,
When the phone rang again, I grabbed it from Gavin’s hands and quickly hung up, blocking her number in one swift motion
Gavin froze, staring at me for moment before the corners of helps lifted in a smile. “Well, that’s one way to keep things quiet.”
Thadn’t expected him to man so calm about me blocking Mandy.
He offered his tone as he tried to placate me,” was wrong today. I shouldn’t have left you alone at the hospital without telling you. I promise it won’t happen again.”
In the past, his rare moments of humility would have made me giddy with joy.
Elizabeth’s condition so fragile, Touldn’t risk upsetting her. All I wanted now was for the wedding to proceed smoothly so she could be happy, even if it was just for a little
As for everything ke–did have the energy to care anymore.
won’t be a next time, and firmly.
Seeing that I wasn’t entirely missing it, quickly nodded. “There won’t be, I swear.”
Preparations for the wedding proceeded in an orderly fashion
Perhaps out of guilt, God spent the next few days at home with me, helping choose invitations, picking out candies, and going over other wedding details. During this time, Mandy seemed to vanish, no longer calling or causing a fuss. Perhaps it was because she was still blocked.
He sudden silenceded out of character, almost unsettling.
But, true to form, Mandy wasn’t one to stay quiet for long.
Three day before the wedding, she showed up at the Gould residence–athing
In–Law Victor’s car no less.
“I ran into Mandy on the way,” Victor explained with a beaming smile. “So I thought, why not bring her along to help out?
“Come in, came in, Mandy,” he said, gesturing warmly. “Make yourself comfortable. What would you like to drink? I’ll have someone get it for you.”
Mandy prided grar kously as stir took a seat on the sofa. “Thank you, Mr. Gould. No need to trouble yourself. P’in just here to help”
I watched the exchange with a calm yet cold detachment Help? She was clearly here to stir up tendile,
Ituned to cavin to gange his traction, but be remained focused on iPad in his hands, meticulously reviewing the menu for the wedding banquet, as though Mandy didn’t exist. I was taken aback by his apparent indifference. This was the same man who used to het met aliny cut Mandy’s finger as though the sky were falling “What about dat?” Garmin asked, sliding the iPad tumandine. “I think your mom would like this dish.” Telend at the screen and shook my head. “It’s a bit sply. My mom can’t handle spicy bood right now Suddenly, Mindyshimed in “Gavin, you resember I used to love this dish when we were in school?” Gavin finally lookedup, his expression by “No one asked you shut up
by what I
Mandy parted last didn’t seem offended. “What’s the big deal? tillary’s Guerin ichard her andwer
Linford, Mandy grined and continued, “Wow, you’ve still mad! I was just messing with you the other day. We used to tease each other like this all the time back in school. Since when did you become such a grump? Aren’t you supposed in be a man
““you’re the one who huncha muaj!” Clarin snapped, elarly ilustrird..
Mandy Burst into Laughter. “Obesonly, Imustama
Their banner, an familar and way, made me feel like another.
“úcart, let’s go upstairs,” Gavin said abruptly, taking my hand and standing up
Surprised. I allowed him to lead me and the stairs.
As we walked away, 1gmced back at Mandy, who stood trazen, her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes flashing with barely concealed anger.
For the first time, seeing her frustrated made me feel a small sense of satisfaction,
Upstairs. Gavin sat beside me on the bed, continuing to go through the menu options. As I watched him, my heart wavered once more.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked, noticing my silence. He reached over to ruffle my hair affectionately. “Are you tired? If you don’t feel like deciding, I can h
“Okay,” I agreed. After all, Amelia had far more experience with such things.
Seming the iPad aside, Gen looked at me expectantly.
Taking a deep breath, finalmistered my courage. “After the wedding, let’s go to the hospital together. I want to get a full check–up”
