Marrying Without You
","tempPercentage":"{\"dateDisplay\":1}","headTitle":"Marrying Without You","sa":1,"fromType":6,"subTitle":"She loved and waited him for 7 years, only to see that he married his first love. She didn't throw a fit, just put on a bridal gown on the day of this wedding and turned to another man.
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","dateDisplay":1,"viewUrl":"https://www.fixbt.com/market/buenovela/3","tempType":10,"imgRemark":"","ggConversionMode":0,"downRemark":"đCONTINUE READINGđ","bookLanguage":"ENGLISH","reportUrl":"https://api.buenovela.com","bookId":"31001058615","imgUrl":"https://www.fixbt.com/booktype/booktype-34LVSeg3qD.jpg","pixelId":"573903117690110","dataMsg":"Rosalyn Jones looked outside the window as she finished writing her resignation letter.
For seven days, the gigantic electronic billboard across the street had been playing Carl Grant and Zoe Quayle's wedding announcement on loop.
Everyone kept saying how Carl loved Zoe to a fault, but no one was aware that Rosalyn had stood by Carl's side for seven years.
It started when she was eighteen, and she was now twenty-fiveâshe had truly given him the best years of her life.
But now, it was time for her to leave the stage as he was marrying someone else.
And after his wedding day, she would no longer be a part of his world.
Nonetheless, Rosalyn eventually tore her eyes from the screen, folded the resignation letter neatly, and inserted it into a white envelope just as her office door opened.
Carl entered, a couple of buttons beneath his black shirt loose, and the black trousers accentuating the length of his attractively long legs. There was also a distinct vigor in his step, making his noble presence all the more impressionable.
That reminded Rosalyn of the first time she saw himâhe was wearing a black shirt too, nursing a beer in a quiet corner of a bar, looking distraught like a homeless mutt.
His family had just gone bankrupt at the time, and he had to sell his watch just to get money for a drink.
At that time, it was Rosalyn who bought it back for him and took him with her.
As it turned out, things that fell didn't necessarily stay downâCarl eventually pulled himself together for a grand resurgence and ascended as one of Cromwell's most eligible bachelors.
\"Why didn't you reply to my messages?\" he asked, his cool gaze on the envelope Rosalyn was holding.
Rosalyn held on to the envelope in one hand and pointed outside the window with the other. \"Just looking at your wedding announcement video.\"
Carl's gaze darkened. \"What's so interesting about that? You're the one who put it together.\"
Indeed, she hadâshe had chosen every photo of him and Zoe, finalized the design, and personally written a romantic script.
Back when Carl had first asked her to help, he said, \"Rosalyn, you have to do this yourselfâZoe doesn't trust anyone else.\"
Although he and Zoe had only formally started dating three months ago, they had met during their school days, but were separated when the Grant family went bankrupt and Zoe's family went abroad seven years ago.
But when Zoe and her family returned to Mediana three months ago, Carl quickly rekindled their relationship and even proposed to her publicly.
Before that, everyone around Carl presumed he would marry Rosalyn after she stayed by his side for seven years.
She was convinced that would be the case too, when he asked her to choose a ring she liked three months ago, and she picked one that was her own size.
But that night, as the dazzling fireworks erupted in the skies over the city, he told Rosalyn, \"Give me the ring.\"
With that, Rosalyn watched as Carl went down on one knee and slid the ring that she had spent so much time choosing onto Zoe's finger.
Even through the booming fireworks, she heard him tell Zoe, \"For seven years, I've waited for this moment. For over two thousand five hundred days and nights, you were always on my mind.\"
At that very moment, Rosalyn could feel her heart blowing into a million different tiny sparks just like the fireworks overhead, never to be pieced together again.
Carl said that Zoe had always been on his mind for two thousand five hundred days and nights.
In that case, what about her? When she worked to build an empire with him every single day? When he called her drunk? When he slept, holding her in his arms?
What did all that time she had spent with him mean to him?
But she never asked this questionâif anything, she didn't have to, because his proposal to Zoe was the answer.
So what if she had stayed by his side for seven years? To Carl, all those moments paled in comparison to those heart-racing memories he and Zoe shared in their youth.
What was more, he had never actually promised her anything in those seven yearsâit was all an illusion in her mind.
She certainly couldn't blame him now that her hopes had been dashed.
Still, Rosalyn gathered her scattered thoughts and looked up at the man she had loved for seven years.
\"How can I help you, Mr. Grant?\" she asked calmly.
\"You're coming with me to Quayle Mansion tonight,\" Carl replied. \"You know what to prepare.\"
\"Yes, Mr. Grant,\" Rosalyn replied.
As his assistant, she was always ready to oblige any request he had.
Carl studied her just then, his gaze seemingly piercing her as he had the nagging feeling that something was off. \"Rosalyn�\"
Still, he caught himself and stopped, as he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Eventually, he simply said, \"You haven't smiled much lately.\"
Rosalyn was almost surprisedâit was rare for Carl to notice such a thing, especially when he was so obsessed with Zoe.
Still, she quickly curled her lips to flash a formal smile. \"I will be more mindful next time, Mr. Grant.\"
\"Rosalyn.\" Carl sighed softly then. \"You're my assistant, and that's not going to change for anything. And you have a promotion to deputy CEO to look forward to next year.\"
Promotions from secretary to CEO's personal assistant and to deputy CEO in a span of seven years were almost impressive.
But Carl simply had no idea that these responsibilities were not what Rosalyn desired.
All she wanted was to be Mrs. Grant, but that was nothing more than a fleeting fantasy now.
\"Okay.\" Rosalyn smiled, accepting the promotion.
For the past seven years, she had accepted everything he had given her and never begged for anything he didn't give.
But somehow, Carl felt even more uncomfortable, and his eyes narrowed coldly at her. \"Obviously, that's on condition that nothing goes wrong before thatâespecially my wedding.\"
Rosalyn nodded and assured him, \"Understood, Mr. Grant. I will do my best to put together the perfect wedding for you and Ms. Quayle.\"
Carl stared at her intently for a couple of beats and eventually glanced at the envelope she was holding.
He paused and asked, \"What's that?\"
Chapter 2 She's the Best
Rosalyn replied, \"It's a resignation letter.\"
She would never lie to him, even if it was a white lie, as what he hated most was being lied to.
However, that left Carl's expression darkening. \"Just let HR sort it out from now on, no matter whose resignation letter it is. Don't waste time on anything beyond your job descriptionâif you have time to spare, why not go spend time with your grandma?\"
And with that, he turned to leave.
Rosalyn's smile faded as he closed the door behind him. \"But it's my resignation letter, CarlâŠ\"
-
At six in the evening, Rosalyn headed to Quayle Mansion with Carl.
Zoe came running to their car as they stopped, smiling at Carl with both joy and shyness.
On the other hand, the white dog in her arms didn't seem to like Carl very much and was barking at him incessantly.
\"Quit it, Eggy. It's Daddy,\" Zoe chided.
That left Rosalyn pursing her lips, and she sneaked a glance at Carl, as he never liked cats or dogs since he was allergic to their fur.
Even so, she was left watching as he tapped the dog's head at the very next moment. \"Feisty little thing, aren't you? Bark at me again, and I'll tell your mommy to send you away.\"
Rosalyn felt her own heart swelling with bitternessâshe used to own a cat, and even though she mostly kept it caged, he had told her to send it away because of his allergy.
Now here he was, being all nice to Zoe's dog and touching it.
It was almost like his allergies were automatically cured when it was someone he actually loved.
Zoe giggled just then. \"Come on, Carl. My parents are waiting inside.\"
She was a dancer and naturally had a slender, graceful figure. Her voice and eyes were also filled with tendernessâwhat man wouldn't take pleasure in such gentle charms?
Even as a woman herself, Rosalyn couldn't help staring at the woman.
Nonetheless, while Zoe and Carl walked on ahead, Rosalyn and the chauffeur quickly unloaded the bags and boxes of gifts they had brought along.
It was an important formality, as Carl had come to meet Zoe's family to discuss the finer details of their wedding with her parents.
As everyone sat down in the living room, Rosalyn sat in a corner, notebook in hand and taking notes, looking professional and dutiful.
Lawrence Quayle, Zoe's father, eventually said, \"Well, that's all we can think of.\"
But at that point, every page in Rosalyn's notebook was already filled.
However, Zoe's mother, Allison Quayle, appeared concerned. \"Are you sure you've written everything down, Ms. Jones? Did you miss anything?\"
\"Don't worry, Mom.\" Zoe smiled as she turned to Roslyn. \"Haven't you heard people saying that it's easier to get yourself a Carl than a Rosalyn? Carl has kept her by his side even after so long precisely because she's the best.\"
As she finished, she wrapped her hands around Carl's arm and tugged. \"Right, Carl?\"
\"Yes, there's no reason to worry when Ms. Jones is on the task,\" Carl said.
However, he was shooting Rosalyn a glare, a clear threat that she had better not mess up.
As Zoe had put it, Rosalyn had been by his side for so many years, flawlessly helping with everything from business to private matters, be it important or trivial.
That was why Rosalyn was fine with anyone else doubting her, but not Carl.
And he had to threaten her with that!
The coldness in her disappointed heart grew even colder just then.
\"Oh!\"
That was when Zoe exclaimed in realization and turned to Rosalyn with a smile. \"Ms. Jones, would you mind becoming my bridesmaid? Come on, Carlâask her!\"
Rosalyn thought about her itinerary for that day. \"Sorry, but I'll be busy.\"
Still, Zoe ignored her and purred, \"Please, Carlâclear her schedule and make her my bridesmaid! I'd like to see her wear a bridesmaid dress and stand by our side, to witness the moment of our happiness.\"
Rosalyn almost sighed out loud right then.
Despite Zoe's gentle and almost harmless appearance, there was no question that she was a master at mind games. She clearly knew that Rosalyn was a rival and had her sword at the ready to cut her downâŠ
-
On the way home, Rosalyn was silent, while Carl kept rubbing between his brows wearily.
When they reached Maple Park, Rosalyn alighted and nodded at Carl formally. \"Goodnight, Mr. Grant.\"
\"Waitâget me some ointment. My allergy is acting up,\" Carl said, loosening his tie right then to reveal the rash that had already covered his neck.
Chapter 3 Who Says You've Been Dumped?
Rosalyn refused. \"You should get a doctor instead, Mr. Grant.\"
The crease on Carl's brow deepenedâit was the first time she had ever said no to him!
Without another word, he grabbed her by her wrist and dragged her into his villa, slamming the door loudly shut.
\"Don't think I can't see that you're upset,\" he growled with an icy glare.
So he was aware.
And yet, he'd still let her suffer.
The bitterness in Rosalyn's chest swelled so much that her nose turned runny. \"You had every part of me for seven years, but you dumped me in a flash, and now, you're telling me I'm not supposed to feel upset?\"
There wasn't so much as a warning when he left her for Zoe. Even if he only considered her a tool and wanted to marry another woman, he could at least have the courtesy to say so.
But Carl never did, as he was immediately and publicly dating Zoe in a flash, and right before Rosalyn's eyes.
As if she really was just an ordinary assistant to him.
\"Who says you've been dumped?\" Carl snapped.
Still irritated by his allergies, he pulled at his collar buttons forcefully, with each snapping audibly as they fell off, baring his chest and revealing more rashes.
Rosalyn had been there when he suffered episodes in the years before and knew how much pain he was in.
Although her inner voice told her to walk awayâthat whatever happened to him was none of her businessâshe couldn't help getting the allergy ointment, since she couldn't bear to see him suffer.
As she applied the ointment, Carl grasped her hand as he said, \"Rosalyn, I never said I'm leaving you, and you said you'll never leave me. That's a promise neither of us must forget.\"
So he remembered thatâand here she thought he had forgotten.
She had quickly been taken by his good looks after she took him home, and they spent much of the following days eating, sleeping, and having fun in her rented apartment.
That was until one day, neither of them could afford anything.
After that, Carl worked as a mascot, wearing a giant fluffy costume to sell snacks to children on the streets, using what money he had to buy her food.
That was until he collapsed from heatstroke one day.
When Rosalyn asked him why he had gone that far, his exact words were, \"I can't let my woman suffer with me.\"
That one line claimed her heart, and she stayed with him for the next seven years, dedicating her heart and soul to him. Even she couldn't deny that he had also rewarded her with everything good that he could give.
There were times when her other friends were skeptical about Carl's affection, and she would confidently tell them that Carl would never marry anyone else other than her.
As it turned out, reality always had a painful way to expose itself to those who were in denial.
In the end, Carl was marrying another woman.
Under the dim lights, Rosalyn's eyes glimmered as she asked, \"Don't you see the irony in saying such things when you're marrying someone else?\"
\"You're the one I want to marry,\" Carl told her, caressing her cheek with his other hand. \"You'll understand what the deal is with Zoe during the wedding.
\"You were there for me throughout the darkest moments of my life. No one could ever replace you.\"
Taking her hand and kissing it, he leveled his dark, inscrutable eyes at hers as he continued, \"Just rememberâwhatever you think I have with Zoe is no more than an act. You have to believe that I will always love you⊠Can't you believe me?\"
No, she refused to believe him.
If he had actually wanted to marry her, then he just had to marry her after all the successes he had achieved in the past seven years.
\"CarlâŠ\"
However, Carl's phone rang before she could finish, and she saw that it was the nursing home calling.
No! She must have left her phone in the car!
And if the call was from the nursing home, it must mean something had happened to her grandmother.
Quickly picking up the phone, she answered, \"Hello? Yes, it's me⊠Okay, I'll be right there...\"
She turned to Carl as she hung up.
Her grandmother had nagged her about wanting to see Carl, but she really wasn't sure about bringing him along.
Chapter 4 Why Make Promises You Can't Keep?
Julia, Rosalyn's grandmother, took her hand and put it on Carl's palm.
Then, she tried to shove a card between their hands as she said, \"This is the wedding fund I've saved up for you. Now that you're finally marrying Carl, you can use it for whatever you need!\"
Rosalyn's tears were raining, and she was afraid to look Julia in the eyes.
News of Carl's wedding must have spread everywhere, and even Julia would have seen it, but she simply presumed that Rosalyn was going to be the bride.
Turning to Carl, she squeezed his hand as she pleaded, \"Please promise me you'll be good to Rosie, Carl.\"
\"Don't worryâI'll be good to her as long as I live,\" he replied. \"We've vowed to always stay together, in this lifetime and the next.\"
Four years ago, on a business trip, Carl took her up Mount Eternity where they prayed and vowed.
It was then that Carl promised he would stay with herânot just in this life, but also the next.
But that promise was already broken in this life.
As it turned out, nothing was set in stone, and promises were made to be broken.
\"Please bring me to the wedding hall on the day of,\" Julia said.
\"We definitely will,\" Carl smiled. \"We need to pay our respects to our elders.\"
For once, he wasn't a haughty CEO, but just Rosalyn's boyfriend.
Nevertheless, Rosalyn felt like she had something stuck down her windpipe as she left the nursing home.
Fighting back tears, she demanded, \"Why would you make promises you can't keep?\"
There was no way he was bringing Julia to his wedding, so why would he tell her otherwise?
However, Carl was staring at his phone, answering Zoe's text as he answered, \"No harm in keeping the old girl cheerfulâshe'll forget about it soon anyway.\"
So everything he had told Julia was nothing more than liesâwhether it was loving her and being good to her, or never leaving her.
That was when he held out his phone to Rosalyn so that she could see the screen. \"Zoe made supper and sent it over to my place. I'll head overâyou can take a cab home.\"
He was perfectly calm, but he seemed to have forgotten that she was his.
She loved him, only for him to show her that being affectionate with another woman was nothing less than hurtful.
\"Yeah,\" she replied with just one word, as she was afraid she might start crying if she said another.
Love could stop, but the pain would still be there, tearing one part from the inside.
And over the last three months, Rosalyn had suffered the worst of that pain.
As such, she wondered if Carl would hurt too, when he learned that she was marrying someone else.
Soon, Carl and his car disappeared into the endless darkness of the night.
He said he loved her, but here she was, left alone in the desolate nightâŠ
She wasn't that lovesickâshe understood that Carl's love for her had faded when Zoe returned to the country.
Even though he was willing to sweet-talk her, it was probably because she was still useful to him.
Just last week, she overheard him telling a friend, \"If Zoe didn't want her to organize the wedding, I would've told her to leave.\"
So he kept her around because it pleased his fiancee.
Rosalyn's palm hurt from clenching, and she turned to look at her grandmother's room.
The light was still on, and she could vaguely see Julia's hunched figure.
Rosalyn was an orphanâher mother had died soon after giving birth to her.
It was Julia who had taken her in and raised herâshe was Rosalyn's only family.
The fact that Julia was still alive after being diagnosed with stage four cancer two years ago was nothing short of a miracle.
All Julia wanted was to see Rosalyn marry and be happy.
And Rosalyn didn't want to disappoint her.
Taking out her phone, Rosalyn texted the contact she had set as a favorite: [Would you care to marry me?]
Chapter 5 How Could He Humiliate Her Like This?
Rosalyn was taking a break in the pantry when she overheard several colleagues gossiping excitedly.
\"Did you hear?! Eric Hammond, Cromwell's most eligible bachelor, is getting married!\"
\"Yeah! I mean, I was shocked when the announcement came at midnight, and I couldn't sleep after that. It really begs the question⊠who's the lucky gal?\"
She knew Eric, having met him a few times, and on each occasion, he had helped her.
The first time was when Rosalyn's car had a flat tire, and he just happened to pass by and helped her change to a spare.
The other occasion was when she was having dinner with a clientâthe man got a little drunk and was about to get handsy with her, but Eric took her away, protecting both her dignity and the contract.
There were actually more instances, but her memory of those was fuzzy.
Either way, that meant she owed the man quite a few favors.
She ought to send a congratulatory present for his wedding, even if he might not remember her.
\"When is he getting hitched?\" Rosalyn asked as she made herself a cup of coffee.
\"Just next weekâthe same day Mr. Grant's getting married!\"
Rosalyn's hand twitched, splashing the coffee and scalding her own hand.
Still, she quickly recovered and told her colleagues, \"Take your time.\"
As she left, she could still hear them talking behind her.
\"Why would you mention Mr. Grant's wedding? You know Ms. Jones is hurting.\"
\"Poor Ms. Jones, staying with Mr. Grant for so many years, and everything she's helped him achieve is now going to some other woman.\"
\"Urgh, men are just the worst. But Mr. Hammond's differentâhe's so loyal, sticking with the one he's had a secret crush on for ten yearsâŠ\"
-
In the afternoon, Rosalyn got a call from Carl. \"You're coming with me later.\"
\"Yes, Mr. Grant.\"
Rosalyn didn't bother to ask where they were going, because she would have to go either way.
It was just pointless to ask, and at this point, she would rather not talk to him if she could help it.
She closed the checklist of tasks to be handed over, cleaned her desk, and soon joined Carl.
His car stopped outside Quayle Mansion once more, and Zoe was skipping happily toward Carl before throwing herself into his arms, giving him a large smooch on the cheek.
Carl remained composed throughout, even smiling as he took her hand. \"Get in.\"
As Zoe did, she looked at Rosalyn and said, \"We're going to the wedding boutique to try out dresses, Ms. Jones. You should pick a bridesmaid dress while we do.\"
So she just wanted Rosalyn to witness their happiness ahead of the wedding.
As Carl and Zoe got into the backseat, Zoe leaned completely on Carl like she had not a single bone in her body, purring, \"Did you see the news, Carl? Eric Hammond is getting married, and on the same day as us! Don't you think he's doing it on purpose, to steal our thunder?\"
Eric and Carl were both giants in the city of Cromwell, but Eric had both power and money, while Carl only had money.
Still, Carl softly assured Zoe, \"Don't worry about it. Everyone will be watching you when that day comes.\"
Rosalyn glanced at him in the rearview mirror, not quite remembering when he had ever been this protective of her feelings.
\"Oh, you're the best, Carl! I really regret that we had to miss the past seven years.\"
Zoe pursed her lips, as if saddened, but soon beamed as brightly as the sun. \"But I'm lucky that you were loving me throughout all those years! Thank you, Carl!\"
As she leaned toward Carl to kiss him, Rosalyn turned away.
Even if she had completely stopped loving Carl and had given up on him, the lingering pain still hurt.
That was when Zoe suddenly asked, \"By the way, you've been with other women during that time, right?\"
Rosalyn's heart skipped a beat at the sensitive question, her fingers shuddering as she held her phone.
She looked up at the rearview mirror again, and their eyes met, as if he noticed her looking.
But even as he looked into her eyes, he was assuring the other woman beside him, \"No, don't listen to hearsay.\"
However, Zoe smiled. \"I mean, it's fine even if it's trueâall men have needs, right?\"
Her magnanimity really broke Rosalyn's perception of people, though she could also tell that Zoe was just humiliating her on purpose.
After all, Zoe's eyes were glued to Rosalyn.
\"Let's stop talking about that,\" Carl said evasively just then.
\"Why not? Did you fall in love?\" Zoe asked stubbornly.
\"No,\" Carl replied. \"Physical desire and love are separate for men.\"
That left Rosalyn's heart clenchingâhe had just admitted that she was a tool he used to satiate his thing.
He had cause not to love her and not to marry her, but how could he humiliate her like this?
Chapter 6 I'll Need a Groom Too
As Zoe tried on her wedding dresses, she finally dispensed with her innocent appearance and revealed her true nature.
Sneering at Rosalyn, she asked, \"So, do you finally understand your place, Ms. Jones?\"
However, Rosalyn's heart was already too numb to feel anything. \"What's so impressive about you, dumping Carl when he's out of luck, and returning when he succeeds?\"
\"So what?\" Zoe shrugged, at once smug and pompous. \"He loves me, so he's going to marry me. Sure, you slept with him while he overcame a dark period of his life, but he still ended up leaving you.\"
And that was the truth.
Rosalyn refused to play the jealous game with her or compete with their abilities to keep a man.
Instead, she asked bluntly, \"Why are you telling me all this, Ms. Quayle?\"
Zoe replied bluntly. \"I don't ever want to see you again after my wedding.\"
Rosalyn suddenly burst into dazzling laughter.
She was going to leaveâbut she wouldn't let anyone chase her off.
So, she didn't humor her boss's future wife and instead asked provokingly, \"In that case, why don't you ask Carl to tell me to leave?\"
Zoe's eyes narrowed murderously. \"You still think Carl loves you, don't you?\"
Rosalyn snorted.
No! She no longer held any fantasies after Carl took her ring and gave it to Zoe.
\"That's a beautiful bridal gown, Ms. Quayle. Your wedding is going to be perfect.\"
And with those words, Rosalyn stepped out of the dressing room.
Carl had already changed. He looked sharp in his dark suit and appeared soft-spoken with the frameless glasses over his nose.
Just like when Rosalyn had first met him, she wondered how there could be a man this good-looking.
Now, he looked even more handsomeâhe was eye candy that would send any maiden's heart racing.
But if Rosalyn could turn back time, she'd never talk to him in that bar and would keep her distance.
While she couldn't change her past, if she could choose her future, she wished he wouldn't be there in her future.
Carl walked up to her just then, pointing at the wedding dresses up front and said, \"Go on, pick whichever you want.\"
For what? To stop his wedding?
She wasn't that childish!
\"I'll need a groom too, Mr. Grant,\" she scoffed. \"Perhaps you have one available?\"
Carl's expression darkened. \"What's that supposed to mean?\"
Rosalyn brushed her fingers on the wedding dress fabric as she mused, \"Just suddenly thought that I should get married too.\"
\"Are you doing this on purpose? I told youâ\"
Before Carl could finish, the dressing room door opened, and Zoe stepped out.
Even Rosalyn paused when she saw the million dress.
She had once imagined that she would be dressed in white too, with Carl by her side.
But it was ultimately just a dream, and the bubble would always inevitably burst.
\"Don't I look pretty, Carl?\" Zoe asked, once again an innocent, guileless maiden around him.
\"Yes. You're the fairest of them all,\" Carl replied.
He had told Rosalyn those same words before.
Roses don't wither in a single dayâthat certainly applied to love too.
And Rosalyn's love for Carl died because of his words and actions.
\"Don't I look pretty, Ms. Jones?\" Zoe asked Rosalyn just then and came over to pull her along. \"Come on, you have to pick a wedding dress tooâI'll tell Carl to buy it for you when you marry.\"
She had no idea what Zoe had in her hands, but she felt her arm hurting, like a needle was stabbed into her, and instinctively shook Zoe off.
Even as Zoe cried out in panic and fell backward, she didn't forget to grab Rosalyn so that she fell as well.
\"Zoe!\" Carl exclaimed as he came running, catching Zoe just in time.
On the other hand, Rosalyn slammed her head painfully atop the cold floor tiles with a loud thud.
The entire bridal boutique seemed to quake even as the world spun around her, and she heard ringing in her head.
Still, she somehow remembered Zoe's questionâdid she still hold on to hopes that Carl still loved her?
And now, she had her answer.
Chapter 7 I Could Only Save One
If anything, Rosalyn was lucky for not getting a concussion despite that nasty fall.
However, the lump on the back of her head was real and could be distinctly felt if touched.
While she was touching it, she wasn't looking where she was going and bumped headlong into someone.
\"Sorry⊠Mr. Hammond,\" she said as she looked up and saw the familiar face.
Eric Hammond was wearing a grey silk shirt and a tailored suit, accentuating the elegant lines of his body from shoulder to waist.
\"Are you hurt?\" he asked.
He was tallâthe top of her head only reached his chin, so he naturally saw the lump on her head.
\"I'm fine.\" Rosalyn took a step back, withdrawing from his hand.
He slid it into his pocket without missing a beat, his dark gaze studying her as he asked, \"Do you need help?\"
\"I'm fine,\" Rosalyn repeated, and then remembered something. \"Oh, congratulations on your wedding!\"
He stopped looking at the lump just then with a mysterious twinkle in his eyes. \"Likewise.\"
Likewise? What?
Was she supposed to celebrate being dumped by the man she loved for seven years as he married another woman?
Wait, she was going to get married too, and on the same day as well⊠so 'likewise' did make sense.
Rosalyn glanced at him again and said, \"Goodbye.\"
With that, she was gone.
-
The fall was not completely terrible for Rosalynâshe could now take sick leave to pack her things.
Carl owned the house where she lived, and they had both lived together until three months ago.
He moved to Maple Park after Zoe returned, and this place had become her bachelorette pad.
Even so, Carl's personal effects were everywhereâhis socks were in the shoe cupboard, his clothes in their shared closet, and the bar was filled with his favorite stock of alcohol.
Even the blanket he used was left on the couch.
Rosalyn never moved any of it for the last three months, as if Carl would return if she didn't.
But now, she understood.
Neither she nor those things would see the day he returned.
So she packed her things while leaving his untouched, gathering everything from decorations, trinkets, clothes, and other daily necessities.
When Carl arrived, he immediately noticed that something was wrong but couldn't put his finger on what it was.
He stopped coming since he got together with Zoe and was surprised to find the place unfamiliar.
Rosalyn was surprised that he came too. \"Yes, Mr. Grant? Does Ms. Quayle need something else?\"
Carl stared at her pale face and asked, \"How's your head?\"
\"I won't die,\" she replied brusquely.
After she got hurt, she had to go to the hospital on her own because he was hugging Zoe.
Because Zoe was scared.
Rosalyn was only humanâeven if he was heartless, and she wouldn't beg for his sympathy, she still had a temper.
She had been with him when he was down and out.
Even if there was no love involved, he should at least show some loyalty to a comrade whom they had fought to build an empire with.
But when she got hurt, he had told her to go to the hospital on her own.
Carl strode up right then, pulling her into his arms and brushing her hair off the lump, touching it.
It hurt so much that she cringed and pushed him away.
Carl reached for her hand again nonetheless. \"Why didn't you get that checked? We're going to the hospital.\"
Rosalyn quickly avoided him. \"The doctor said it's a blood blister. What, am I supposed to drain the whole thing at the hospital?\"
It would only shrink as the bad blood was slowly reintegrated.
Carl grimaced, feeling pained for her. \"Look, Rosie⊠It's not like I didn't want to save you. It just happened out of the blue, and I could only save oneâŠ\"
He could only save one, so he saved the one he loved.
Instincts truly reflected the heart as they said, and Rosalyn understood even without him telling her.
\"She's your fianceeâI understand,\" she said, hanging her head and unable to stop the tears welling up in her eyes.
\"RosieâŠ\"
But before Carl could explain, his phone rang.
Seeing the number, he silenced it and said, \"Just get some restâsomeone else will handle the wedding, but you have to be there on the day of.\"
Chapter 8 She's Not Coming Tomorrow
Eventually, Carl simply told Rosalyn to get some rest.
But she didn'tâshe had plenty to do.
After handing over the tasks she had on hand at work, she compiled and sorted all the documents, including Carl's itinerary.
At the pantry, she heard her colleagues gossiping that Carl had rented every electronic billboard in Cromwell to livestream his wedding.
The next day, Rosalyn had sorted all her possessions into boxes and donated what she didn't need to charity.
She then overheard one of the volunteers talking about the Hammonds inviting all of Cromwell to a public banquet celebrating Eric's weddingâanyone could attend, and without even bringing gifts.
And on the third day, she traveled to Mount Eternity, spending six hours grinding off her and Carl's names that they had sculpted on the Timeless Stone.
By the time she was done, her fingers were bleeding.
Later that night, she saw Carl and Zoe being interviewed together, where Carl promised a breathtaking wedding ceremony.
On the fourth day, the day before the two weddings, Rosalyn arrived at the wedding hall as Carl and Zoe rehearsed.
Zoe was even eagerly inviting Rosalyn on stage, chirping, \"Ms. Jones, you'll stand behind me so I can throw my bouquet to you. That way, you'll inherit our blessing and find a partner soon.\"
Rosalyn did as she asked and watched as the entire wedding was rehearsed, with Carl reading the wedding vow to Zoe and putting the ring on her finger.
Still, as Zoe closed her eyes, waiting for a kiss, Carl didn't kiss her.
Instead, he had turned to Rosalyn to find her staring at him in turn, calm and composed.
He found her such a stranger this way, and there was this nagging but unknown feeling in his heart, coupled with unease and panic.
\"Alright, the rehearsal is done. I'm tired,\" Carl said just before the kiss.
Part of Rosalyn wished she could see them kissâit would only make her heart grow colder toward Carl. She wouldnât see it tomorrow, though; she wasnât coming to the wedding.
\"CarlâŠ\" Zoe pouted unhappily because she really wanted to kiss Carl as Rosalyn watchedâso that she wouldn't hold on to any false hopes.
However, Carl ignored Zoe and called out, \"Rosalyn, over here.\"
\"Yes, Mr. Grant?\" Rosalyn asked formally.
He stared at Rosalyn as he loosened his necktie, clearly having things to say but not knowing how to say them.
Eventually he merely threw her his necktie. \"Get me a new one.\"
Once he was out of earshot, Zoe promptly went up and snatched Carl's necktie away, growling coolly at Rosalyn, \"I don't want to see you tomorrow. Don't you dare show your face at my wedding.\"
She saw how Carl was looking at Rosalyn earlier and knew that Carl must have refrained from kissing her for Rosalyn's sake.
She wanted Rosalyn to come to her wedding before so that Rosalyn could watch them be happy and back off.
But now, she regretted the ideaâshe was really worried that Rosalyn would pull something.
Rosalyn smiled faintly as she saw the panic on Zoe's face. \"Well, that's one less bridesmaid for you.\"
\"Oh, you don't have to worry about a thing,\" Zoe threatened viciously. \"Either way, you'd better not show up, or you'll be humiliated.\"
Rosalyn nodded quietly, remembering Zoe at the boutique the other day, and hooked her finger at Zoe. \"Sure, but there's something I need to tell you.\"
\"What?\" Zoe blurted.
Though reluctantly, she tamely walked toward Rosalyn when the latter suddenly reached out and grabbed her.
Zoe's eyes widened as she felt a sharp pain thrusting into her behind. \"How dareâ\"
\"Ms. Quayle,\" Rosalyn spoke out loud, drowning out her voice. \"Allow me to wish you all the best with Mr. Grant, and may you start a happy family soon.\"
And with every word, she thrusted the needle deeper into Zoe's waist, just as Zoe had done to her the other day.
Chapter 9 The Last Time I'll Cry for You
[Are you still going to marry me tomorrow?]
Rosalyn glanced at Julia, who was sound asleep, when she received the text late at night.
She then replied: [Here's my addressâcome pick me and my grandmother up tomorrow. Just don't come if you change your mind.]
[See you tomorrow, my bride!]
Just seeing the reply left Rosalyn with swelling bitterness inside.
She would be a bride soon too, but her groom was an internet friend whom she had never met.
It wasn't like lost love had pushed her over the brinkâshe just didn't want Julia to worry for her or be disappointed.
Moreover, even though she hadn't met her internet friend before, they had been chatting online for ten years.
Since a human only lives a few decades, someone willing to spend ten years with her was enough to win her trust.
-
It was midnight when Carl called.
Not wanting to disturb Julia, Rosalyn went outside to answer the call. \"Is there anything else, Mr. Grant?\"
Carl was left rubbing between his brows on the other end of the callâshe seemed to say that a lot lately.
\"Why aren't you home?\" he asked.
For some reason, he had been feeling irritable and uneasy.
As such, he drove to the house where he and Rosalyn had lived for six years, but the bedroom was neat and tidy.
She wasn't there.
Rosalyn could tell where he was, but she didn't know if he had noticed that her possessions were already gone.
\"I'm with Grandma,\" she admitted.
Carl looked around the dark room.
He entered without turning on the lights because he was worried about waking Rosalyn up, but now, he needed the endless darkness to stay calm.
He sat on the couch, noticing for the first time how eerie the house was when it was this silent. \"What are you doing over there?\"
Hearing that, Rosalyn knew right away that he never noticed that she had left with her things.
So he didn't even care that muchâif he did, he would've noticed that her clothes were missing from the closet and her toothbrush was gone from the bathroom.
The rest of the house would have no sign of her, for that matter.
Still, it suited her fineâshe wouldn't have any problems during her wedding tomorrow.
\"Didn't you say you'll bring Grandma along?\" Rosalyn asked, ignoring his question.
Carl was silent for a few beats. \"I'll definitely send someone over.\"
\"No, it's fine. I'll come with Grandma⊠I'm sure you'll be busy tomorrow,\" Rosalyn said, understanding as ever.
\"Rosie,\" Carl called out her name, his deep voice clearly fighting back swelling emotions. \"Y-You have to come tomorrow, do you understand?\"
\"Why me?\" Rosalyn asked, staring above at the stars.
She noticed just then that they were especially beautiful tonight as there were plenty of them covering the entire night sky.
Carl sighed softly. \"Just come as you promised, and you'll know why tomorrow.\"
But she wouldn't go tomorrowâand he would lose her forever.
So she didn't want to know whatever he was going to say.
\"Carl,\" Rosalyn called out to him just then, her expression calm and neutral. \"All the best.\"
Carl could cry for some reason when he heard those words.
Rubbing his face to stop it, he said, \"I'd rather you tell me directly tomorrow.\"
Rosalyn raised a browâwas he trying to prove something to Zoe?
But Rosalyn was reluctant to think about it at this point.
Shivering against the night breeze, she sighed. \"I'm sleepy. I'm turning in.\"
She hung up, still looking up at the ocean of stars overhead when her eyes closed, a single tear trickling down the corner of her eye.
\"This is the last time I'll cry for you, Carl Grant.\"
Chapter 10 The Two Fleets Wedding Limousines
The next day, the sun shone as brightly as the stars the previous night.
Rosalyn was woken by the warmth of its glow and immediately saw Julia smiling at her beneath its rays. \"Oh, Rosieâhow relaxed can you be, sleeping so soundly on your wedding day?\"
Rosalyn hid her face in Julia's arms, yawning lazily. \"Please, Grandma. I'm sleepy.\"
Julis sighed disapprovingly. \"Oh, just wake up already! Your wedding car has even arrived!\"
Rosalyn's head jerked up, and she looked outside where Julia was pointing and saw a row of black luxury cars parked everywhere in the nursing home front yard.
Her internet friend⊠had really come to marry her?
She stepped out of Julia's room and found a man standing there with his back to her, followed by a huge entourage.
His dark suit was tailored to fit him to a tee, and his cufflinks glinted against the sun.
He really oozed nobility from head to toe.
Julia huffed right then. \"Oh, Rosieâjust go already!\"
At her voice, the man slowly turned, and Rosalyn's heart must have skipped two beats when she saw his face. \"You?!\"
-
At nine in the morning on Central Avenue in Cromwell, two convoys were advancing along the two five-lane highways.
Naturally, one was Eric Hammond's, while the other was Carl Grant's.
They were Cromwell's most eligible bachelors, with one having the most influence, while the other the most money.
No media outlet could sleep since they were both getting married on the same day, and they camped out at scenic photo spots and livestreamed the convoy's journey nationwide.
Both convoys were a marvel tooâone would have trouble finding the end from the front as there were over a hundred cars, each of them decorated with flowers and ribbons.
The two fleets of wedding limousines were proceeding on their respective lanes but eventually stopped near each other at Central Square in the middle of Central Avenue.
As the limousines met, the brides wound down the window to exchange bouquetsâa gesture of offering each other blessings.
Still, news of Eric's wedding was sudden that no one knew who the bride was, so most long-range lenses were focused on his limousine in an attempt to get a glimpse of the bride's face.
The only person who wasn't interested was Carl.
He couldn't sleep after that call with Rosalyn last night, and he felt like he was floating, his mind in a complete daze.
He really didn't care who Eric would marryâall he wanted to know was whether Rosalyn would be at his wedding.
He didn't see her at the wedding hall before he went to pick up Zoe, and she was never late for work.
But she simply didn't show up.
He tried to call her, but his calls weren't getting through.
He sent someone to find her, but they told him she had left the nursing home.
Now, he was screening the local news in case there had been an accident.
Meanwhile, as everyone watched in anticipation, the window of Eric's limousine was slowly lowered, and a face covered in a white bridal veil could be seen.
The journalists began to snap as many photos as they could with their 8K cameras, as the face was still visible.
On the other hand, Zoe was close enough that she didn't need high-definition pixels to see the face under the veil.
It was such a familiar face that her heart skipped a beat in shock.
Rosalyn Jones?!
Was she seeing things?!
Why was she in Eric's wedding limousine and wearing a bridal gown?!
However, as Rosalyn held out her bouquet, Zoe did the same, albeit stiffly.
She tried to say Rosalyn's name and ask questions.
Still, she was in shock, and Rosalyn spoke first after they exchanged their bouquets. \"All the best!\"
It didn't matter what had happened between them in the pastâRosalyn would put everything behind her after today.
Be it Carl or Zoe, love or hateâit was all in the past now.
That was when Carl, who had been keeping his head down, blinked and looked up in surprise.
All the best?!
Was that Rosalyn?
Why was he hearing Rosalyn's voice?!
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