The Day I Said I Do

I remained silent. Gilbert looked at me, looking a little nervous and awkward as he tried to explain, "If you don't think it's okay, then I can…"

I cut him off. "No, it's fine. Go ahead. I'm looking forward to… a happy future ahead."

…

The next day, I arrived at the wedding planning company as scheduled to finalize the last wedding details.

By the agreed-upon time, Gilbert still hadn't shown up.

One of the staff members looked a little puzzled and asked, "Shall we wait for Mr. Hughes to join us?"

I smiled faintly and answered, "No need to wait.

After all, this wedding had been a one-woman show from the very beginning.

Just then, he finally rushed in.

I caught a glimpse of the red marks still lingering on his neck, clear evidence of the passionate night he spent with Cheryl.

Gilbert noticed my gaze and instinctively raised a hand to cover it, letting out a light, awkward cough.

The staff was waiting for his confirmation on the banquet dishes. Without thinking, he instructed, "Go with the most expensive set. Get the best lobsters and shrimps. Jen deserves only the best."

The staff looked at me with envy and raised his head, saying, "Mr. Hughes must really love you to pick only the finest."

I only felt a wave of bitterness. "Don't take the most expensive one."

He gently interrupted, "Let's not save money. This is our wedding."

"No." I paused for a moment, then added softly, "I'm allergic to seafood."

Gilbert froze for a moment. Then, he apologized awkwardly. "Sorry, I just thought…"

I shook my head and hid my emotions. "It's fine."

Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and his eyes lit up as he answered. His voice softened as he asked, "Cheryl? What do you want for lunch? How about Aroma?"

There was an urgency and warmth in his voice that made it hard for me to breathe.

I lowered my gaze, suppressing the sharp pain in my chest.

Suddenly, he paused and reminded her anxiously, "Right, don't order their desserts. You're allergic to mango."

When the call ended, Gilbert seemed to realize something and explained softly, "Cheryl used to come over for meals a lot. That's how I know."

I opened my mouth, but no words came. I could only force down the bitterness in my heart and nod without asking any further. He looked visibly relieved.

Moments later, Cheryl actually showed up.

She had a faint smile and spoke cheerfully, "Gilbert, Jennifer, I wanted to surprise you, so I came by. Let's have lunch together later. You don't mind, do you?"

She looked at me with a smile, as if she genuinely cared about how I felt.

However, I clearly saw the pride and provocation in her eyes.

It seemed like she knew this wedding was nothing but an empty performance that Gilbert was putting on for my sake.

Her appearance here was simply so she could enjoy the spectacle of my humiliation firsthand.

I smiled calmly. "Of course. I wouldn't mind it."

The staff, unaware of the tension, continued asking about the details.

Yet, every time, Cheryl would interrupt before I could answer. "Use the freesia for the flowers. They're elegant and simple. Cool tones work best for the color scheme."

She had said that casually, as if she were organizing her own wedding, and I was just an observer.

Gilbert didn't utter a single word of objection the whole time. In fact, he smiled approvingly and went along with every decision she made.

The two of them sang the same tune, looking like they were in perfect harmony.