Leaving on a Summer's Day

"Ms. Longstaff, are you saying the wedding will proceed as planned, but the bride will be replaced with someone else? Is that correct?"

Faced with the staff member's puzzled expression, Heather Longstaff nodded without hesitation.

"Yes, the wedding will take place in two weeks as scheduled. I'll deliver the revised materials to you in the next few days."

"Understood. Should I inform Mr. Bennett about—"

"There's no need!"

Heather cut the other person off, her voice sharp with emotion. Noticing the startled look on the staff member's face, she quickly composed herself and explained, "He's busy. All wedding-related matters should come directly to me from now on."

This wedding was meant to be her final gift to Mitchell. And like any gift, it had to remain a surprise until the very last moment.

Heather Longstaff left the wedding planning agency and immediately booked a ticket out of Kennethville on her phone. Just as the confirmation popped up on her screen, Mitchell Bennett called.

As she answered, his familiar voice came through, tinged with a gentle warmth.

"Heather, my mom says she misses you. She asked me to bring you home for dinner tonight. She also mentioned having something to give you. Can you guess what it is?"

Everyone in Kennethville knew Mitchell as a man of cold demeanor, someone who kept people at arm's length with an air of aloofness.

Despite the constant stream of women vying for his attention, he had always reserved his tenderness exclusively for Heather.

Until today, Heather had believed in that wholeheartedly.

Their mothers were the best of friends, and Heather and Mitchell had grown up together, childhood sweethearts in every sense of the word.

But everything changed when Heather's mother passed away. Barely a month after her death, her father remarried, bringing a stepmother into the picture.

Heather's stepmother orchestrated a cruel scheme, sending her to a desolate rural town.

When Heather regained consciousness, she found herself being groped by a drunken man. Panicked, she grabbed an empty bottle from the floor and smashed it over his head.

The man convulsed on the ground for a few moments before going still. Terrified and at a loss, Heather didn't know what to do until Mitchell burst through the creaky door, scooping her into his arms.

At that moment, he seemed like a savior descending from the heavens.

Even though she was rescued, the incident left deep trauma. Mitchell stayed by her side every day, tirelessly seeking the best therapists and doing everything he could to cheer her up. Gradually, she began to heal.

His unwavering companionship melted even the coldest parts of her heart.

Yet, having witnessed her father's betrayal of her late mother, Heather had become exceedingly cautious about love. Before agreeing to be with Mitchell, she had laid everything out plainly.

"Mitchell, I can only accept undivided love. If you ever stop loving me, let's part ways amicably. But if you betray me, I will make sure you never find me again."

Mitchell had eagerly sworn an oath, both thrilled and anxious.

"Heather, I swear I will only ever love you. I promise to cherish you forever. Time will prove how deep my love is!"

His heartfelt vows from back then still rang in her ears.

But now, time had proven the opposite.

Mitchell couldn't give her the undivided love he promised. He had betrayed her and their relationship.

Last night, Heather had discovered a marriage certificate in the pocket of Mitchell's jacket. His name was on it—alongside Bethany Caldwell's.

The Bennetts had supported many underprivileged students over the years, and Bethany was one of them. Heather remembered her clearly, though not for her merits. It was her cunning nature that left an impression.

Heather had seen Bethany flirt with Mitchell, only to be met with his frosty rejection.

"Sorry, I have a girlfriend."

Mitchell's blunt dismissal had crushed Bethany's hopes, and after that, she'd mostly stayed out of Heather's sight.

But a month ago, Mitchell had brought her up again, saying Bethany's mother was gravely ill and wanted to see her daughter married before passing. To Heather's shock, Mitchell had asked for her opinion on helping Bethany.

She had refused outright, reminding him of what she'd once said when they first got together.

"I only accept love that's undivided. If you want to give part of it to someone else, we're done."

Mitchell had paled at her words and hastily sworn he would never betray her.

Heather thought that had been the end of it.

But Mitchell had gone behind her back and married Bethany in secret. He'd been hiding her away, spending nights with her, all while their own wedding was just two weeks away.

Heather's lips curled into a bitter smile. At least she had discovered the truth before the wedding.

"Heather, are you listening?" Mitchell's voice brought her back to the present.

She responded lightly, "I'm not home. Just head to the manor by yourself later; I don't need a ride."

"When did you leave? Why didn't you tell me? I could've come with you," Mitchell said, his tone full of concern.

Heather's expression grew colder as she heard the faint rustle of fabric and a woman's quiet gasp in the background.

"I was preparing a surprise for you," she said evenly. "I came to finalize some wedding details."

"What kind of surprise?" Mitchell asked, his excitement barely contained.

Heather's smile didn't reach her eyes. "If I told you now, it wouldn't be a surprise. You'll find out on the wedding day."

Mitchell chuckled warmly. "Alright, I'll look forward to it. See you tonight."

Before the call ended, she heard exaggerated kissing noises.

But Heather knew they weren't air kisses from Mitchell. He was actually kissing another woman.

Her face remained calm as she stared at the disconnected call, though a storm raged inside her.

She hoped that Mitchell would truly feel surprised when he saw everything on the wedding day.