Chapter 3 The Wedding

Eleanor Roy's POV

"Thank you, Eleanor, for being here for me," my mother murmured through her tears after slipping into her wedding dress.

"Mom!" I whined, "Don't cry, you'll ruin your makeup!"

She laughed and wiped her tears away, then said, "You're right, little one."

Rio walked into the room and whistled in admiration the moment he laid eyes on her.

"You look like an angel, Maria! I bet Dad's going to faint the second he sees you," he said playfully, making my mom's cheeks flush with shy laughter. We all giggled.

"Let's go-we shouldn't keep Dad waiting any longer," Rio said as he offered his arm to my mother, who held her bouquet with careful grace.

"You look absolutely stunning, Maria!" my grandmother exclaimed, her eyes glistening with tears.

Mom smiled bashfully and whispered, "Thank you, Mom."

Everyone left, leaving me behind, staring after them. I fought the urge to let my tears fall.

"Hold it together, Eleanor... just hold it together," I whispered to calm myself.

I smoothed down my pink bridesmaid's dress and glanced at the bouquet I'd been given.

From today onward, Mom would be someone outside of our lives-lost to us forever. There was no getting her back. We had to move forward without her.

Taking a deep breath, I hugged the bouquet to my chest and walked after them with steady steps...

---

As we entered the long aisle leading to the altar-where Harry stood next to the priest and his son, Dominic-I was caught off guard to see him there.

Most of the guests were from Harry's side of the family. On my mother's side, it was only Grandma, myself, and the twins' family.

Flower petals floated around us as we walked, creating a magical scene.

I smiled when I saw Harry staring at my mother, awestruck.

"Close your mouth, old man!" I muttered with a grin.

Mom stood before him, her head lowered in modesty.

I was right behind her-face-to-face with Dominic, who glared at me with a furrowed brow.

I returned the glare and, in a swift move, stuck my tongue out at him.

I saw his jaw clench in annoyance before he turned his face away.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the priest declared with a warm smile.

Harry wasted no time.

I turned my head away, my heart tightening.

"Be happy for your mother, Eleanor-even if it hurts you."

Music filled the air, and couples began to dance.

I sat with Scarla, sipping juice and watching the others.

"Aren't you going to dance?" Scarla asked.

I shrugged indifferently. "Nah, I'd rather sit."

"Same here," she agreed.

Even Grandma was dancing with Ralph.

Paula sat not far from us, chatting with a few ladies.

Rio approached with a raised brow.

"Eleanor, Scarla-why aren't you dancing?"

We replied in unison, "We're fine just like this!"

He chuckled at our answer, then extended his hand toward me with a mischievous smile.

"Come on, Eleanor-give your brother the honor of the first dance!"

I rolled my eyes. "You're such a smooth talker, Rio."

Before he could protest, I grabbed Scarla's arm and shoved her toward him. She stumbled into him with a small gasp.

Rio just shrugged and took Scarla's hand, leading her to the dance floor. Her face was crimson. I burst into laughter.

---

After three songs, Grandma approached me excitedly.

"Little Ellie, why don't you sing for us? I remember you telling me about your band when you were fourteen."

I hesitated, flustered. "Uh... Grandma, that was a long time ago."

But she wouldn't take no for an answer. She grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the stage.

"Damn, she's strong!"

The moment we stepped up, the singer stopped mid-verse, and murmurs of confusion spread through the crowd. But silence fell once they saw the reason.

"Ahem... Sorry to interrupt," Grandma announced cheerfully, "but Eleanor would like to sing a song for the newlyweds!"

I found myself trembling. She handed me the microphone, and I swallowed hard as I took it.

Inhaling deeply, I turned to the band and quickly discussed the melody.

Grandma stepped down and joined the crowd, her face glowing.

I took a step forward, lifted my gaze to the guests, and was met with encouraging looks.

"One... two... three..."

I began to sing. As the melody played, I lost myself in the rhythm and sang with passion. I forgot everything else.

Half an hour later, I finished the final song to a storm of applause.

Mom rushed over and hugged me tightly, full of gratitude. Even Harry gave me a warm embrace.

The twins, Scarla, and Rio also came up to express their admiration.

As everyone gathered around me, my eyes locked with Dominic's across the room. He was watching me silently.

"Eleanor, what are you staring at?" Suzy interrupted my gaze.

"Ah-sorry, what were you saying?"

"Nothing important," she replied with a sly tone.

I sighed, trying to calm the heat in my cheeks, and returned to enjoying the rest of the evening...

---

Harry and Mom had left about half an hour ago for their honeymoon, which would last about a month.

I was supposed to go back with Grandma, but she got caught up with something, leaving me to wander around alone.

I sat beneath a large tree, watching the workers clean up the remnants of the celebration. A deep sadness settled over me-my mother had left our family forever and now belonged to another man. A tear escaped my eye, and I quickly wiped it away.

"Don't cry, Elinor... for your father's sake, don't cry..."

"Crying over mommy's departure?" came Dominic's mocking voice. I flinched. He was standing just a few steps away, watching me with amusement.

"Great. Just what I needed," I muttered to myself, trying to ignore him. But he sat down beside me anyway.

"You're not happy about the marriage, are you?" he asked.

"I don't think my answer matters anymore."

He let out a short laugh. "True. It wouldn't matter at all. But if we had worked together earlier, we might've stopped it."

I glared at him. "You're so selfish!" Then I added, "It's your father's happiness. You should be glad for him!"

"And let him betray my mother's memory-his late... wife?" He hesitated, then said,

"People should remain loyal to those they love, even after death."

"The living need love more than the dead. That doesn't mean we forget those who left us," I replied with a melancholic tone, then sighed.

"Father and I always hoped Mother would come back... but..." I stopped, lowering my gaze.

"Is your father dead?" he asked suddenly.

"What? No!" I exclaimed. "Don't you ever put my father and death in the same sentence!"

"He's human-a mortal creature. And-"

"I know that, you idiot! I just don't like thinking about it," I snapped in a low voice, shifting uncomfortably...

My father is all I have left. I can't bear the thought of losing him-not to death, and not to another woman...

Dominic nodded in reluctant understanding and murmured a half-hearted apology. We sat in silence for a few minutes before I suddenly jumped to my feet and faced him. He looked up at me, confused.

"Don't you dare!" I warned. I took a deep breath and continued under his questioning gaze,

"Don't you ever hurt my mother in any way-understood? If a single tear falls from her eyes because of you, I swear I'll kill you!"

He burst into mocking laughter, holding his stomach dramatically.

"Oh my God, the ant is threatening me!"

My cheeks flushed, my mouth dropped open, and I shouted,

"Don't you dare underestimate me, you-"

A dog's bark cut me off. I turned toward the sound and saw it wasn't far away. A large dog, panting heavily, crouched low...

Its eyes were fixed on me with unwavering intensity. My throat went dry, sweat broke out all over me, and my heart pounded wildly. Even my legs refused to hold me.

Dominic noticed my silence and asked,

"Or what?"

I was breathing fast and shallow. My chest rose and fell rhythmically, and I took a step back.

"Elinor, what's scaring you?" Dominic asked with concern, standing up behind me. At that moment, the dog began to move toward us.

I let out a scream that startled the birds from their nests. Without thinking, I leapt toward Dominic, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face between his neck and shoulder.

My movement was so sudden that he staggered before regaining balance. Then he grabbed my waist and said,

"Elinor, get off me!"

"No... Get that thing away from me!" I cried, my voice indistinguishable, clinging even tighter.

His body stiffened as I held onto him. With a swift hand gesture, he ordered the dog to leave-and it did. But even after it was gone, I couldn't move. I remained exactly as I was.

"Elinor, it's gone," he said softly near my ear. His voice brought a strange calm to me. My arms loosened, trembling, and I stepped back.

Shame and embarrassment flooded me, painting my face red. I pushed a few strands of hair behind my ear and lowered my head.

"Sorry... I have a phobia of dogs. Anyway... thank you," I murmured, then raised my head...

And froze. His eyes were glowing a brilliant gold, and his body trembled as if he were fighting off an invisible force. His features had changed-he seemed to be struggling with something inside himself.

Was he... possessed?

I instinctively stepped back, panic rising in my chest.

"Are you... okay?" I asked, my voice trembling.

He growled-low and chilling-then turned and stormed off without answering, disappearing in a blur, leaving me wide-eyed and speechless...

I scoffed bitterly and muttered loudly,

"Rude and cursed!"