As Julia promised before, she started planning my wedding with Christopher for me. She wanted to discuss it with Nathan but changed her mind when Isabelle returned. My mother was, after all, the more suitable person to be discussing my wedding with.
âWhat say I invite your mother for lunch? That way, we can get to know each other a little more. I mean, weâre going to be in-laws soon anyway. As for your father, Iâm going to send someone to inform him. Whether he decides to come or not, thatâs up to him. What do you think?â suggested Julia to me in all seriousness when I met her at the Lane residence.
In all honesty, I did not have much to say about the arrangements. Parents of the newlyweds were usually expected to be at the wedding, and mine were no exceptions. It was not like I could have a wedding without informing my parents.
âThank you for the arrangements, Mrs. Lane. Weâll just do it your way. Iâm fine with it.â My mother-in-law was so considerate that she had even considered my feelings and my relationship with the Tanners. I would be nitpicking if I were to find fault with her suggestions.
âYou know what? Why donât we make it a grandiose wedding? Go big or go home, right?â Christopher offered his own suggestion as he rubbed his chin.
âCan we not? Iâd prefer to keep this just between our two families. Weâll have a good meal and enjoy each otherâs company.â With a fork in my mouth, I shot down Christopherâs idea. âMy mother is low-key, so I think sheâd prefer our wedding to be a more private event.â
âSure, that works too.â
Just like that, we made up our minds. I told Isabelle all about the wedding the next day, and she seemed fine with it. Still, she sighed when we were shopping, âYou were just a little girl when I left you. Look at you now. All grown up and about to get married. The time has finally come for my daughter to leave me.â
âIâll always be your little girl, even after Iâm married.â
âWeâll see about that,â responded Isabelle with a soft smile.
With Isabelle and Christopher both at my side, I felt like the luckiest woman then. At least until I received a message from Benjamin, which reminded me that I had promised to send the man off at the airport. I knew it was something I had to tell Christopher, or else he would explode with jealousy.
âHey, why donât you go to the airport with me tomorrow?â I decided to try my luck after informing Christopher of my promise to Benjamin.
âAnd why the heck would I do that? I can forgive the man for being stupid, but he tried to hurt you. He should be thanking me for not giving him a good beating because thatâs what he deserves.â
Christopher had not forgotten what Benjamin did to me at the Lane residence. Otherwise, Crystalâs trickery on Benjamin would not have been blown wide open. My husband always knew how to hold grudges, especially when it came to matters that involved me.
âYou knew he only did it under Crystalâs influence. Besides, thatâs in the past now. Weâre just sending the man off. Itâs no big deal.â Leaning against Christopherâs chest, I fiddled with the manâs bony fingers. After a moment of silence, I added, âIf you donât want me to go, I wonât.â
I knew better than to upset my husband over someone insignificant to me like Benjamin. After all, Benjamin was half the reason why Crystal could get to me.
âJust go and be done with it. I donât want that man near you when this is over. Not even an inch!â
After getting up early in the morning the next day, I gave Isabelle a call. It took a while before the call was finally answered. From the other side, I could hear what sounded like smashing porcelain. âMom? Whatâs going on over there?â
âItâs nothing. I just got a little careless. Give me a minute, and Iâll call you right back.â Isabelle put her phone down and wrapped her thin nightgown around her tighter. For a brief moment, the bruises hidden underneath them were revealed.
She stared at the man standing right in front of her as a cold gleam flashed in her eyes for a split second. In the next instant, she put on a pitiful expression and begged in a shaky voice, âPlease. Iâll do whatever you say. Just calm down.â
The man stepped forward and grabbed Isabelle violently by the hair before warning her coldly, âYou better! Or else, youâll quickly learn the cost of disobeying me.â