On my wedding day, I sat in the bridal suite, clutching my bouquet tightly.
This was the most important day of my life.
Soon, Daniel and I would exchange our lifelong vows in front of everyone.
The thought filled me with both sweetness and nervousness.
“You need to take good care of each other,” Mom said tearfully while adjusting my dress.
“You’re a married woman now. Make sure you live well together, okay?”
“I sent photos to your grandmother. She’s so happy.”
My eyes welled up at her words. “I know, Mom.”
“Even married, I’m still your daughter. Now you’ll have both Daniel and me to take care of you.”
“Yes, yes.” Dad turned away emotional, then smiled and offered his arm. “Come, let Dad walk you down the aisle.”
Under everyone’s gaze, I walked slowly toward Daniel in my white wedding dress.
He looked incredibly handsome in his white suit, his hair neatly swept to one side.
He watched me approach, his eyes so tender they almost brimmed with tears.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
After our vows, Daniel pulled me close, and we shared a long, sweet kiss.
“I can hardly believe it,” Daniel whispered against my forehead, smiling with joy. “I actually married the girl of my dreams.”
“Am I dreaming?”
I giggled and kissed his cheek. “Of course not, my dear husband.”
What I didn’t know was that James came too, silently watching the entire ceremony from a corner.
He watched as Daniel and I embraced and kissed, becoming a happy couple amid everyone’s blessings.
I never knew when he arrived or when he left.
He only left me a note with four simple words: “May you be happy.”
1/2
Chapter 19
The next I heard of him was that he’d crashed his car racing in the rain, losing the use of both legs.
The Carter family sent him abroad for treatment. He never returned.
James Carter disappeared from my life completely.
But now I had a loving family and husband, and my life’s new chapter was just beginning.
