Chapter 4 Marrying Someone Else

The soft melody of jazz music rang through the bustling cafe.

The place was enticing, yet Madeline seemed to be on tenterhooks.

She sat sullenly in her lonely solitude. She held her warm cup of coffee as she felt terrified and tense.

Today was the day that she would see the man that she had been longing for relentlessly.

The girl's trembling shoulders attracted Kent's attention as he sat on the table next to hers. He said, "Let's make a bet, Boss."

"Bet on what?" Bryan asked.

"I bet that girl is waiting for a man who doesn't give a damn about her," said Kent with a grin on his face.

Bryan raised his head and turned to have a good look at the girl the moment he heard Kent's guess. Unfortunately, her back was facing him, and it was impossible to catch a glimpse of her face, but her shaking figure made him speculate her story.

"How much?" asked Bryan.

"One million dollars," said Kent confidently.

"Deal," replied Bryan as he turned to the documents in his hand.

Kent was delighted by his boss' cooperation. He anxiously waited as he anticipated a win this time.

"I hate to break it to you, but tonight is the night that I'm gonna make my fortune, Boss!" said Kent exhilaratingly.

The espionage continued as a man walked towards the girl.

"It's still too early to guarantee your win," said Bryan.

The moment Madeline saw Rory nearing from the distance, her emotions exploded into tears!

"Hey, Madeline!" called Rory.

Tears were streaming down Madeline's face, but she managed to recompose herself and force a smile. She said, "I've told myself a million times not to cry at this moment, but I can't help it. I'm so sorry!"

"No, it's all my fault," replied Rory.

"This had nothing to do with you, Rory. The blame should be put on me," she insisted. Suddenly, her hand flew to hold on to his, and she latched on to him tight.

Rory was first petrified by her impulsive stir! But then, pity came flooding in his sentiments, and he said, "I've heard about it, Madeline. I know I'm irrelevant, so please don't give her your word, okay? If you make a promise to her, then I don't know if I could ever forgive you."

His plea stopped Madeline on her track. She had no idea that he had known already. She looked at him with a beam and said, "All I ever wanted in life was for you to be happy, Rory. I will do anything for you, and I will do it wholeheartedly!"

"And I'd do the same to you! Just promise me that you will not say yes."

Rory's eyes became soaked with tears.

"Ro... Rory!" said Madeline as she choked in her wailing.

"Even if it puts me in jail for the rest of my life, I will have no regrets. I don't want you to sacrifice for me anymore. You have to let me go. You deserve a life filled with love, a marriage with the man of your dreams, and a happy ever after."

Rory spoke in a trembling voice.

"Madeline, can you grant me my last wish?" Rory sincerely asked the woman.

"Can you do it? For me?" he asked once more as he reached out for her pale quivering hand.

"Yes, I promise," she replied with a nod.

"That's good to hear. Anyway, I must go now," said Rory.

"Goodbye, Rory. Take good care of yourself!"

She squeezed his hand a moment longer and refused to let go.

The bail time ended far too soon, and she hadn't seen enough of him.

She knew that once she had set his hand free, he would be gone for the rest of her life.

Rory left with some policemen as they turned their backs and left the poor girl weeping on her seat.

"Why didn't I guess it was a sad separation?" Kent sighed in dismay.

"Those policemen are fake," said Bryan.

"What? How could that be? That man is a liar!" Kent's jaw dropped in disbelief and he left his mouth wide open.

"You didn't notice that they had no badges? That trick only works on children," said Bryan in disgust.

"Shall we tell the girl?" Kent gazed at the gloomy lady across him with mercy.

"Not until you transfer one million dollars to my account first!" Bryan smirked.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Good thing it occurred to me. I have something extremely urgent to deal with, Boss. I must go now!"

As fast as he blurted his excuse, Kent rushed outdoors and was gone in a snap.

Bryan ridiculously shook his head as he flashed a slight smile.

The girl calmed down from her sorrow, but her eyes were glued on the spot where the man exited.

She said in a hoarse voice, "I'm so sorry, Rory. Promises are made to be broken. You leave me with no choice. It was nice seeing you again."

Bryan frowned and took a dim view of the woman. What a stupid girl!

"Mom, I'm getting married." She took out a necklace and gently pressed a kiss on it.

At this angle, Bryan caught a glimpse of the girl's features as well as the shining blue pendant in her hand.

The girl stood up and immediately walked out of the cafe.

Necklace! Dolphin!

When his realization brought him back to his senses, he wanted to make the run and grab her, but she had already disappeared.

The wedding was held in a magnificent world-class hotel, which was said to be the best in Spring City.

Madeline entered the grand doors of the hall in her stunning white wedding dress like a beautiful angel that came down from the heavens.

The Luo Group and the Li Group were both wealthy and influential families in the city. So, it was no surprise that the wedding was luxurious as if it was made for royalty. Even their guests were notable people, ranging from nobilities, politicians, to business elites.

Lyle Luo was waiting for her hand in the doorway. This was the first time Madeline saw her father in these five years!

She held her father's arm as they walked leisurely to the red carpet.

"My dear daughter, forgive me," said Lyle softly.

"Do you love me, Dad?" she asked.

Lyle was stunned by her question as he hurriedly replied, "Of course!"

"Then whatever I do is worth it. You don't have to apologize to me," she replied. Tears started to well up in Madeline's eyes on her way to the altar.

They passed through all of their esteemed guests.

There was Yosef, who kept smiling from ear to ear the entire ceremony.

And Emilee, who was overjoyed.

As Madeline walked, she left her miserable childhood behind, and walked towards another miserable beginning.

'Dad, you can forget me all you want, but you will always be my father!

I'd be willing to throw myself into a raging fire for you. Even if it costs my life, I will do so because I am your daughter!'

The two did not speak a word anymore. Lyle gently bestowed his daughter's hand to the man she was about to marry.

Suddenly, the lenient grip vanished, and she felt pain as if her hand was being crushed to a pulp. She raised her head and was greeted by the pair of mocking and hateful eyes of her soon-to-be husband.

Even the man in front of her was incapable of loving her, and the disgust in his eyes was the proof of this resentment.

Her hand was compressed in his palm, and it seemed as if he was telling her that this choking pain was just the beginning.

Madeline did not dare complain about it even though her fingers were cold and numb.

In her suffering, she suddenly felt that someone from the crowd was piercing through her soul.

She cautiously tilted her head to face the audience, and the moment she met eyes with the man, her heart fumed like a blazing fire in an instant!

Why was he here? Why was the man that she had slept with that one night in New York present in her wedding?

Bryan locked his eyes at the blue dangling pendant on her neck as the little dolphin-shaped pendant lay smoothly on her skin.