Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Jonathan, along with his family, finally arrived at the venue and the moment they walked in, the excitement was evident in the air. As they stepped further inside, they were immediately greeted by Nathaniel's dazzling smile, bright enough to light up the entire room.

"Mom, dad!" Nathaniel exclaimed, chuckling in happiness as he enveloped them in a warm hug. "You're finally here!"

His parents beamed, clearly proud of their eldest son. "We wouldn't miss this for the world," his mother replied while her eyes sparkled with joy.

Tabitha bounced beside them, her excitement contagious. "What's the plan? Are we ready for the big reveal?" she asked with her eyes wide in anticipation.

Nathaniel grinned, glancing around the bustling venue. "Absolutely! Everything's set," he replied confidently. "Do enjoy the food and some fine wine."

Jonathan who was already holding a glass, didn't need to be told twice. He swirled the deep red liquid in his glass and took a slow sip, letting the warmth roll down his throat as his eyes wandered across the grand hall. The space was elegant and it was filled with well-dressed guests, shimmering chandeliers, and the soft hum of conversation. He scanned the sea of faces, idly observing the crowd with little real interest—until something, or rather someone, caught his eye.

At first, it was just a silhouette. A woman, standing across the room with her back turned to him. She was wearing a striking white gown that cascaded down her frame like liquid silk, hugging her curves in all the right places. The back of the dress dipped into a deep V, revealing her flawless skin as the faint glow of the lights reflected off her which made her look almost ethereal. Her balayage hair, rich with shades of caramel and honey, was gathered into an intricate flower bun, adorned with tiny pearls that shimmered softly with every movement.

Jonathan's hand paused mid-air with the glass hovering near his lips as a strange sense of recognition hit him. His brow furrowed, eyes narrowing as he tried to place where he'd seen her before. His heart thudded uneasily in his chest.

It couldn't be...

Is Nathaniel's fiancée one of my exes?

The thought struck him sharply as disbelief and suspicion creeped in. His mind raced as he took another, much slower, sip of the wine. He tried to dismiss it as a wild coincidence, but that nagging feeling stayed lodged in the back of his mind. He couldn't shake it.

He glanced around, hoping for some distraction, but what he saw next only made things worse. Among the elegantly dressed crowd, mingling and laughing, were Mr. and Mrs. Levine—Laura's parents. They stood close to the center of the room, their faces lit with the polite smiles of people who knew they were being watched.

Wait... Jonathan's grip tightened on his glass. If they're here, does that mean Laura's here too? His stomach twisted as a sudden wave of hyped up energy coursed through him. He glanced around again, this time with more urgency, trying to spot her familiar face.

Just as he was about to pull out his phone and text her, the microphone crackled to life, pulling his attention toward the stage. The gentle murmur of the crowd began to die down, and all eyes turned toward the platform where Nathaniel now stood, looking sharp in his tailored suit, his smile confident and proud.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Nathaniel's voice echoed warmly through the speakers, a voice that instantly commanded the attention of everyone in the room. "Thank you all for being here this very moment. I have arranged this occasion for one special purpose."

He paused, letting the anticipation settle over the crowd before continuing. "But before we get to that, I want to thank the people who have been with me throughout this journey. After years abroad, away from my family, I've finally decided to stay—permanently."

Jonathan's brow twitched with his glass pausing mid-air as he processed his brother's words.

Nathaniel's staying... for good?

The thought made him uneasy, a strange tension creeping into his chest.

Nathaniel continued while his tone lightening, "Handling my father's business is not in my mind—at least not now, and, honestly, probably not ever." He chuckled, and the room joined in, the easy laughter sweeping across the venue. "I'd like to break the tradition where the eldest takes over the family business."

"And the real reason I've decided to stay," Nathaniel said, his voice softening, "is because I've found something—or rather, someone—worth staying for. I've made the decision to marry the woman I've loved for a long time. Now that I finally have the chance, I won't let it slip away."

"Everyone," Nathaniel's voice lowered, his eyes gleaming as he opened his hand to the side. "My fiancée."

A hush fell over the room as the guests held their breath in anticipation. Then, from the crowd, the woman in the white dress slowly stepped forward. Her movements were graceful, poised, as she made her way onto the platform with her hand slipping effortlessly into Nathaniel's.

Jonathan's world started to blur. He couldn't take his eyes off the woman in white, her back still facing him, but a sinking feeling had already settled in his gut. The moment she turned, her face was finally revealed as she smiled radiantly at the room. The delicate pearls in her hair shimmered under the lights, her hand resting in Nathaniel's—a hand that was already adorned with a ring that matched Nathaniel's.

Time seemed to slow down.

The moment her eyes met the crowd, Jonathan's heart stopped.

Laura.

His best friend, standing beside his brother, smiling as Nathaniel's fiancée.

Jonathan's grip on the wine glass slipped, and before he could even register the sharp pain of his emotions, the glass shattered on the floor while the sound echoed through the now-silent room. Heads turned, murmurs rippling through the crowd, but Jonathan barely heard them.

His eyes were locked on Laura. The woman he thought he knew. The one who had always been there for him was now standing on that stage beside his brother, hand in hand and in love.

He didn't care about the whispers, not even the concerned glances, or even his parents' furrowed brows. Everything around him faded into the background. All that mattered was that she was there, Laura with Nathaniel, wearing engagement rings.