He Chose Her Ten Times, I Left Once Chapter 07
When I was fading into the black lungs of the smoke, the door to the room was suddenly kicked open.
A beam of light spilled in.
Before I could see who it was, I blacked out completely.
I slept for three days and three nights. When I opened my eyes again, a familiar face was beside me.
Wesley Harrington was the heir of one of Newport’s old-money families, and he had once been my intended.
“Rest,” he said gently, smoothing my hair. “Don’t think about anything else.”
His voice lowered. “As for your mother… I took care of everything.”
At that moment, my tears broke free.
Those cruel images kept flashing through my mind.
Wesley pulled me into his arms and held me, soothing me again and again.
Back then, I had been the one to give up the arrangement with him because I had chosen to wait for Elliot to marry me.
But after all those years of waiting, this was how it ended.
Over the next few days, Wesley helped me calm down and went with me to visit my mother’s grave.
My mother had once told me that the person she most hoped would become my husband was Wesley.
We said many things in front of her headstone.
I did not expect the Newport tabloids to catch us and post the pictures online.
The news went nuclear.
#What? Avery Sterling Is Still Alive?
#Wait, Isn’t That Wesley Harrington, the Newport Heir? Are They Together Now?#
#Honestly, It Makes Sense. They Were Supposed to Be Engaged in the First Place.#
#Elliot Whitmore Posted Last Night Claiming Avery Sterling Was the Love of His Life.#
…
I opened Elliot’s profile.
Sure enough, for the first time, he had posted an official clarification.
(The love of my life has always been Avery Sterling.)
(I have ended my legal marriage with Sienna Sterling. There is nothing between us anymore.)
Seeing those performative apologies now only made me feel sick.
When the photo of Wesley and me hit the trending list, Elliot posted from his corporate handle.
[Avery Sterling is my fiancée.]
Right after that, my phone began ringing nonstop.
I declined every call and blocked his number.
Wesley ignored Elliot’s helpless rage. Instead, he posted a photo of two matching bands online.
Looking at myself in the mirror in a wedding gown, I spoke to the man standing behind me.
“This wedding is partly to fulfill my mother’s wish.”
“As for whatever happens between us, I may need time.”
Wesley nodded solemnly.
“I know.”
“And just like before, I’ll wait for you in silence. I was never in a rush to force an answer from you.”
Warmth spread through my chest.
He was the same as he had always been.
Devoted. Patient. Faithful.
As the wedding approached, Wesley handled arrangements in and out of the country while I took responsibility for the venue setup.
“He likes these flowers,” I said. “Add a few more arrangements.”
“Of course, Miss Sterling.”
I was focused on checking the table settings when familiar footsteps sounded behind me.
“Avery.”
I turned around and saw Elliot. I was not surprised at all.
“If you’re here to congratulate us, you’re a little early.”
The man in front of me looked agitated, his eyes manic.
“Congratulations?”
“Avery Sterling, don’t forget you’re my fiancée. You were supposed to marry me at that wedding.”