He Gave Her an Hour, I Chose Another Groom in Seconds Chapter 10
Willa saw me stay silent and mistook my silence for hesitation.
She rubbed her hands nervously, her gaze darting about as she finally revealed her true motive. “Chloe, you and Mr. Hart are both powerful people. Is there any simple vacant position here at the hotel… or within Mr. Hart’s company? Anything will do. I can’t stand working service jobs any longer…”
She tilted her face upward, her smile equal parts fawning and frantic, as if our history meant nothing, as if she could still lean on the friend she’d betrayed.
I didn’t spare her a single word.
I turned straight toward the furious lobby manager. “She’s done here. Effective immediately.”
I refused to glance at her face filled with terror. I tightened my grip on Charlie’s arm and walked past her toward the entrance.
Willa froze for a second, then darted after me like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Her voice broke into sobs. “Chloe, please don’t do this! I’m sorry, I’m truly sorry! Weren’t we friends? I’ve learned my lesson, I’ll never act like that again. Chloe, listen to me…”
Her pleas followed us, shrill and relentless, all the way from the lobby to the front doors.
Charlie politely opened the passenger car door for me. At the same time, two trained security guards stepped forward behind him,
—
blocking Willa as she attempted to lunge.
The car window rolled up, sealing her shattered expression outside.
In the rearview mirror, I watched Willa get pushed back by the guards. She stumbled and fell onto the sidewalk. Her figure shrank smaller and smaller, until it vanished entirely.
Some people, some matters, are not worth a single backward glance.
Silas didn’t show up on my wedding day. The ceremony unfolded flawlessly.
Charlie led me slowly toward the altar. Amid the well-wishes of all our guests, we exchanged rings, spoke our vows, and finally embraced and kissed.
During a short break in the ceremony, I headed toward the lounge. Around a corridor bend, I ran into Silas.
He was gaunt, his expensive suit hanging off his shoulders. When he saw me, he straightened instinctively. His gaze settled on me, heavy with everything he couldn’t say.
He stayed quiet for so long I expected him to ramble on as he always had. But at last, he only parted his pale lips. “I’m sorry, Chloe. I treated you terribly, back then.”
I stopped and looked at him.
I shook my head gently. “It’s okay. We were never meant to last.”
I walked past him without another glance, heading toward the end of the corridor.
—
Charlie leaned against the wall waiting for me, holding a glass of warm water. He smiled softly when he saw me coming.
I quickened my pace, nearly running to throw myself into his open arms. I wrapped my arms firmly around his waist and buried my face against his chest, breathing in his faint pine scent.
Charlie pulled me close, pressing a light kiss to the top of my head. His voice was low and warm. “Finished talking?”
“Mhm. My feet ache.”
“Drink some water first. I’ll rub them for you once we get to the lounge.”
Behind me, Silas stood rooted to the spot. He watched our retreating figures until they slipped out of sight. Only then did he slowly lift a hand to cover his stinging eyes.
Charlie wrapped an arm around my waist, resting his chin on my hair. “I regret leaving after that stupid argument five years ago. When I came back, everything had changed—I nearly lost you forever.”
He paused, his breath warm against my temple. “But showing up at city hall five years later—and refusing to ever let you go again—that’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Such is fate. After countless twists and turns, it always brings the right person to you, at the right time.
I tilted my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, steady and sure beneath my ear. Looking up with a smile, I said, “Mr. Hart, happy wedding.”
—
Charlie leaned down, his kiss falling soft and long on my lips. “Mrs. Hart. I’m only happy with you.”