Chapter 174
Elise watched the clock, each minute dragging by. Her eyelid wouldn’t stop twitching. “Why aren’t they here yet? They’re already late p>
Layton, sitting nearby, seemed much more relaxed. “What’s the big deal? He said he’d come pick her up. You think Albert’s going to bail on her p>
Carola sat by the window in her wedding dress, waiting and waiting. The street outside stayed quiet. No sign of Albert’s convoy.
“Carola, don’t stress. Maybe they’re just stuck in traffic,” someone tried to reassure her.
But it was her wedding day, and timing was everything. Normally people left early for something this important. Being late just didn’t happen.
Carola pressed her lips together, silent, her mind wandering. She wanted to call Albert, but worried it would make her seem desperate.
While everyone else was caught up in their own anxious thoughts, Albert’s wedding car finally rolled up in front of The Brown Estate.
“They’re here, they’re here! Carola, look p>
“Wow, that’s a lot of cars. Hold on, let me count.” Kiki started counting, her voice growing quieter as she went. “One, two, three… Wait, why are there only fourteen p>
That number felt unlucky, and everyone knew it.
Carola forced a smile. “Kiki, maybe you counted wrong p>
Another bridesmaid gently tugged Kiki’s arm. “Forget about the cars. Let’s just get ready at the door. The important thing is he showed up p>
But the words didn’t do much for Carola’s mood. She still looked worried, her face drawn and tense. Then heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway, and someone knocked at the door, not too soft, not too hard.
“Carola, open up. We’re running out of time p>
The bridesmaids had planned all kinds of games for Albert, but now they just looked at each other, unsure what to do.
“Carola, should we open it?” someone whispered.
Sitting on the bed, Carola fought the prickling in her nose. “Just open it p>
Why were they late? Why was there never enough time? Couldn’t they have just left earlier?
Her mind spun with questions, but when the door opened and she saw Albert step inside, all her complaints faded. She stared at him, speechless. “Albert, what happened to your forehead p>
The bridesmaids gaped. Albert looked completely wrecked. There was a big bump
on his forehead—impossible to miss.
Albert tried to hide his frustration,
but there was a flicker of annoyance
in his eyes. “We got into a car
being
swnove
accident on the way sorry for late p>
“Are you okay?” someone asked.
Albert clenched his jaw and shook his head. “I’m fine p>
He dropped to one knee, but it was half-hearted. “Babe, will you come home with me p>
It was the first time Albert had called Carola his wife, but it sounded stiff, almost like he was just going through the motions.
Carola’s heart twisted with disappointment. The accident wasn’t her fault, so why did he sound so cold?
She didn’t say anything for a few seconds, then mumbled, “I will p>
Everyone around them shifted awkwardly, trying to pretend they weren’t there, eyes glued to the floor or the ceiling.
Elsewhere, Dorothea stood in front of her full-length mirror, frowning. Was she really going to wear this emerald necklace?
Latham came into the dressing room, leaning against the doorframe. “Are you ready yet p>
He noticed the necklace in her hand and grinned. “I was just messing with you. Save that one for another dress p>
He opened a drawer and pulled out a different jewelry box. “Wear this set today p>
Dorothea shot him a look. Yeah right, he’d definitely meant for her to wear green last time.
She smirked. “I thought you liked green p>
Latham gently moved her hair over her shoulder and fastened the new necklace around her neck. “You could always.test me and see if I really de
She just rolled her eyes.
“Come on, Dorothea,” Latham said, a little smile on his lips. “Your husband’s taking
you out to turn some heads today p>
Albert and Carola’s wedding was set up outside. By the time they arrived at the venue, it was almost eleven. Most of the guests were already there, waiting.