Thirty-Six Wedding Lanterns All For My Younger Sister Chapter 08
Evan ran into a problem of his own.
He had planned forty tables for the reception, but two of them ended up completely empty.
Every missing guest was a business contact from one of his company’s projects. He had invited them hoping the wedding would double as a chance to strengthen those relationships and put himself in a better position for a promotion and raise.
Chloe noticed something was wrong.
“What happened?”
Evan showed her his phone.
“Mercer Group’s CEO is getting married in Australia today. They got their invitations last week and flew out two days ago.”
Chloe switched off the screen and tried to reassure him.
“Mr. Mercer is in a completely different league. We can’t exactly compete with that.”
“A wedding is a wedding, and business is business. You can deal with the project later. Don’t let it ruin your day.”
Evan smiled.
“You’re right.”
After a pause, he said, “Your sister…”
Chloe cut him off.
—
“This has nothing to do with you. Maya didn’t cancel her wedding because of you.”
Evan’s eyes widened.
“You knew about me and Maya?”
“I’m pretty open-minded. You secretly dated for three years. So what?”
“You got the girl and the money by choosing me. What’s not to be happy about?”
Evan couldn’t deny that marrying Chloe came with very real advantages.
He had spent years watching how much the Bennett family was willing to give her. That was exactly why he had ended his secret relationship with Maya so abruptly.
Chloe had hit a little too close to home, and all Evan could do was give an awkward smile.
The rest of the wedding went smoothly.
After the last guests had left, Chloe was so exhausted she could barely stand. She tossed her car keys to my brother.
“Can you make sure the out-of-town relatives and old classmates get back to their hotels? I’m exhausted.”
He pushed the keys back toward her.
“Ask Cousin Mike. I’m not in the mood.”
Mom walked over to my brother.
—
“Any luck getting through to Maya?”
He shook his head.
Dad looked increasingly worried.
“Where could she possibly be? Should we call the police?”
My brother suddenly seemed to remember something.
“Wait. Why don’t we call her boyfriend? We can ask him what’s going on with the two of them. That guy is seriously unreliable too.”
He pulled out his phone, then froze.
“What was her boyfriend’s name again? I don’t think I ever saved his number.”
Chloe rolled her eyes.
“Why are you looking at me? I don’t know either.”
Only then did all of them realize they knew absolutely nothing about my boyfriend.
Four pairs of eyes turned toward Evan.
He blinked.
“I… I know even less than you do. Why are you all looking at me?”
“I have her manager’s number. I could try calling.”
He made the call.
The person on the other end sounded genuinely surprised.
—
“Maya quit a week ago. She didn’t tell you?”
“Quit? Do you know where she went? We haven’t been able to reach her, and we’re getting worried.”
“I heard she went home to get married. I think she was planning to move overseas afterward.”
After Evan hung up, no one spoke for a long time.
I’d told them I was coming home to get married.
But I’d canceled the wedding.
And I’d never said a word to them about moving overseas.
A new message popped up in Evan’s work group chat.
It was a wedding video.
Messages immediately flooded in beneath it.
[Mr. and Mrs. Mercer make such a perfect couple!]
[This has to be the wedding of the century.]
[I actually got an invitation, so I’m here in person! The bride looks unreal. Sending a high-res photo now.]
My brother was the first to shout.
“Isn’t that Maya?”