Alvin! Years ago,
we begged you to come here, and you refused every time. And now you have the audacity to show up?”
Back in the ceremony hall, the officiant had called for the best man’s speech three times before Wade finally appeared, his face bruised and swollen, Ira’s sinile froze as she noticed her brother’s battered face.
Sensing her gaze, Wade grinned through the pain, giving her a wide smile and mouthing silently,
“It’s your important day–smile and be happy.”
I read his lips and retumed a beaming smile of her own
When Wade took the microphone, his bruised face filled the big screen, and the officiant couldn’t resist a joke.
“Looks like our best man went for a colorful look Are we in for a performance, perhaps?”
The guests, initially surprised, burst into laughter. Wade scratched his head with a sheepish smile and took the microphone. “Trooka tumble backstage, so excuse the look. I had a speech prepared, but I lost my notes in the fall, so I’ll just speak from the heart.”
“Although I’m here as the best man, I also have a hidden identity–I’m the bride’s brother. Yes, I’m Wade, Ira’s older brother. I’m four years older than her, and we’ve been squabbling since we were kids. She’s kind to everyone else but always has a comeback for me, and I’d tease her constantly, driving her crazy.”
sometimes I’d go too far and think about apologizing, but whenever I got close, that older brother pride would take over, and I’d never say it. So, for over a *, I left things urald.”
“Today is my sister’s wedding, and che’s starting a new life with my good friend, I’m happy, but I’m also feeling a bit of sadness and regret. But as her brother, Theed to share some wisdom. Ina, no matter how many times you fall, get back up. The pain will fade with time, and the wounds will heal.”
“As your brother, I know I won’t always there for you, and I’m sorry for the hurt I’ve caused. In front of everyone here, I promise I’ll never make those inistaken again. And I won’t let anyone else hurt you. Ira, can you forgive me?”
By the end, Wade was openly sobbing. The guests, thinking it was the sentiment of his sister marrying, smiled kindly, but Ira understood the true meaning behind his words.
Her chest tightened with emotion, her eyes filling with tears. Beside her, Darcy gently took the bouquet from her hands, freeing her and softly whispered,
H
No longer able to hold back, tra ran toward her brother, finging herself into his arms. The siblings embraced tightly, their tears mingling, bringing them back
together one.
23
After the wedding, Ita changed into more comfortable clothes and, hand in hand with barry, prepaid to heat to their new home for the first
hands as a mamed couple. Feeling the warmth of his palm, Ina sensed a comforting warmth spreading over het, soothing her skinchilled by the air rondin
They avoided the front entrance, choosing the back anor to escape the crowd. Acsoon as they stepped outside, Ira’s gaze was drawn to Alvin a few meters are not because of lingering feelings, but because his bruised and battered fare was hard to ignore Seeing him in such a state, she finally understood why her brother bad returned from his “seattle” with a tom shitt, Well, he was protecting his little sister, after all. Abirst muighness seemed fitting
Alvin, oblivious to her thoughts, nished toward her, only to be stopped five steps away. His expression was intense as he stared down t look
“Darry, I’m not here for you
Darcy nodded calmly, his expression cool.
“I know. I’m just letting you low that my wife has no interest in seeing you”
The word “wife” struck Alvin hand. His face twisted with rage as he grabbed Darcy’s collar
“You’re asking for it!”
threats
Darry glanced at Alvin’s hand, a hint of coldness in his gaze.
“Are you sure about this? Just a reminderit your left hand takes another hit, it might be permanently damaged. You may never be able to hold a fork again. ”
“you” Alvin started, but tra cut him off.
“Dany
ey,walt in the car. I’ll handle this,”
Reluctant to leave her alone with Alvin, Darry hesitated but eventually respected her decision, brushing off Alvin’s grip before walking to the from a distance. Trewaved him off with a soft smile, reassuring him. Then, tuming back to Alvin, her face turned expressionless, her tone cold.
“You’ve seen the breakup letter, haven’t you? I’m married now, so let’s not meet again. Whatever you have to s
say it now, once and for all”
say, sayi
and watching
Alvin’s heart, which had briefly resurfaced with hope, sank back into dark depths at her words. His face paled, and his voice wavered with desperation. “Ira, I never agreed to break up. It doesn’t count. Come back to California with me, please. I was ready to propose–you promised me you’d many only me.”
He held out a dazzling ring, his hand trembling slightly. Ita lifted her hand, showing him the scar running knuckle of herring finger, its dark scab mixed with ointment, resembling an ancient ink painting of a black dragon–a sight both chilling and sobering.
ng from ten centimeters above her wrist down to the
Alvin glanced at it and instinctively lowered his gaze, unable to meet her eyes.
along silence, he finally whispered, “I’m sorry”
Ira didn’t need his apology. Over two werks had passed, and her wound, though scabbed over, no longer hurt–Just Itched faintly. She simply wanted him to see the ring atop that scar
This ring, a ten–carat sapphire, wasn’t as flashy as the one Alvin held, but its understated elegance matched her style, she and Darcy had chosen it togethei she’d fallen for it at first sight. When Darcy purchased it, he’d said something she remembered vividly.
“When I saw your photo for the first time, I had a feeling that we’d spend our lives together. It might sound abound, but I want you to when i exinanit something, Inever change my mind. For things or for people. Please believe me this once.”
hareplied to him with just the words
“So do L”
Once she had made up her mind, there was no timing back. When she decided on a person to walk through life with, she was willing to give him that chance Her relationship with Alvin had been a mistake from the start. It had taken her six years to realize she was on the wrong path–why would she repeat it now?
She lifted her gaze, meeting Alvin’s with a steady, clear expression, speaking each word so he could understand fully. “Alvin, you were never truly in love with me. You were in love with the faint shadow of Maria you saw in the
“The reason ended things isn’t because I was suilding or waiting for you to comfort me. It’s because I don’t love you anymore.”
***Any form of deception doesn’t deserve forgiveness. Do you remember saying that? You lied to me for six years, I don’t want to forgive you, and I don’t want to hate you. Ist want to cut ties cleanly and move on.”
H
Each word struck Alvin’s heart like a blade, leaving him shattered. He shook his head in denial, unable to accept her words.
But I didn’t look at him again. Instead, she tumed her gaze toward the person waiting for her in the distance.
“I have a new family now. I’m about to start a new chapter in my life. My husband is planning our honeymoon, and my future is clear. If you feel any lingering guilt toward me, then leave New York and don’t ever appear in my life again. Let us forget each other among the huge crowd of people”
With those words, soft smile appeared on her face. She turned and walked down the steps without loolding back
On a warm summer evening, Darcy held Ira’s hand as they strolled along the green asphalt road. The warm breeze lifted the hems of girls‘ floral dresses nearby and stirred the treetops into gentle, rolling waves of green. For the first time, Tra felt summer was a truly beautiful season.
As streetlights flickered on in the distance, she glanced sideways at Darcy, her tone light and playful.
“How much farther? I hope you’re not going to exhaust your bride on our first day of marriage!”
Darcy chuckled, lifting his hand to point to a villa ten meters away. When she looked up, Ira was greeted by a vivid splash of red. With the night’s deep shadows, It was hard to tell what it was, and she couldn’t help asking,
“What’s that?“!
Without answering, Darcy took her hand and they jogged the last few steps together. As he pushed open the gate, Ira saw the yard filled with blooming flame trees, their bright blossoms lighting up the branches in a clot of color. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at the sea of flowers.
A gust of wind swept through, sending a soft cascade of red petals swirling around her, and she felt as it she had stepped into a dream. Darcy watched her, entranced, as she lifted her dress, spun incircles, and laughed, singing a song he didn’t recognize. When she finally grew tired, he pulled her into his ams, gently plucking the petals that had landed in her hair
When I looked up, she saw her own election in his clear, bright eyes. She wiggled her fingers in front of him, interrupting his thoughts. “What are you thinking?”
Thinking about tomorrow–whether we should rest or visit my mom and try her cooking, about what we still need to He rambled on, his voice soft and ceassuring
Ira, a bit overwhelmed, stood on her tiptoes and pinched his cheek.
for the house, whether you’ll feel at home
241
“In a romantic place like this, can’t you think of something else?”
He lowered his voice with a grin,
“Then, may I think about kissing my wife?”
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