A Love Only the Past Knows

When Ryder's professor sent him yet another email, he glanced around his cold, empty home. Faced with Seth's relentless provocations, Ryder made up his mind—he would leave Laura. With the wedding fast approaching, Ryder decided to give Laura the perfect ceremony—one that would please both her and Seth. His departure, however, would be the biggest surprise of the event. But after Ryder walked away, Laura looked at the groom standing at the altar, lost control, and destroyed the wedding in a fit of madness. Chapter 1 The computer beeped a few times. Ryder Lineker opened his email and clicked on the latest message from his professor, James Irwin. James: [Ryder, we are currently facing a talent shortage at the university, and you are one of the most promising students I've ever had. I am once again inviting you to return for further studies and to consider a faculty position. [I sincerely hope you'll give my offer serious consideration. I look forward to your positive response.] Similar emails had already piled up in Ryder's inbox. Ryder glanced toward the bedroom door. The hallway was pitch-black—Laura Moon still hadn't come home. His phone buzzed. It was a message from Laura. Laura: [Sweetheart, I'm working on designing our wedding venue. I'll probably be busy late into the night. You should go to bed first.] Ryder scrolled through his social media feed. As expected, Laura's assistant, Seth Yarde, had posted an update. Seth: [Thanks to Laura for expanding my horizons! This wedding venue is so luxurious—I'm really jealous!] Ryder clicked on the photo Seth had posted. In the corner of the picture, there was a pair of slender, fair hands wearing a sparkling ring. From the angle, the hand rested lightly on Seth's. Ryder looked down at his own ring—their engagement ring. He let out a bitter laugh and, as usual, gave Seth's post a like. Laura wouldn't see it anyway. After all, Seth's posts were always set to be visible only to Ryder. Ryder glanced at the calendar. There was just over a month until their wedding. His gaze returned to the email on his computer. He stared at it for a long time before finally picking up his phone and calling his professor. "Thank you, Professor Irwin. I've thought it over. Please give me some time to wrap things up here. "I'll return in a month to continue my studies, and if the opportunity arises, I'll consider taking a faculty position," he said. James was thrilled. He had high hopes for Ryder, though after so many unanswered emails, he had nearly given up. This unexpected phone call was a pleasant surprise. After hanging up, Ryder began sorting out his affairs. Packing his luggage wasn't urgent, but handing off his domestic projects required immediate attention. While he was neck-deep in work, his phone rang. It was Laura. "Hello, Ryder," Laura said. "Uh… What's up?" Ryder asked. Startled by the sudden ringtone, he nearly sent an email to the wrong recipient. "What are you doing? You sound like you've been spooked," Laura said. "It's nothing. Fuzzy just jumped off her cat tree," Ryder replied. Fuzzy was a stray cat the two of them had adopted. Now three years old, it loved climbing and jumping around the house. Back when Fuzzy was just a tiny kitten, they had found her barely clinging to life in a trash-filled corner of the park. Covered in filth, Ryder had stubbornly carried her home. One time, there was a gas leak in their apartment. Fuzzy had meowed relentlessly by his side until he briefly regained consciousness and managed to call Laura. Both he and the cat were saved. Since then, Fuzzy had become more precious to Ryder than his own life. On the other end of the line, Laura chuckled. "No wonder. In this house, Fuzzy gets more of your attention than I do." "That's not true. Anyway, why did you call me?" Ryder asked. "Did you see the message I sent earlier? You didn't reply, so I was worried," Laura explained. "Oh, that. Yeah, I saw it, but I was a little sleepy and forgot to reply…" Ryder said. His voice trailed off as he suddenly heard an inappropriate sound in the background. "Laura, look at this suit I'm wearing! Doesn't it match your wedding dress perfectly?" The man hadn't bothered lowering his voice, so Ryder heard it loud and clear. There was a brief but unmistakable panic in Laura's tone. "Uh, Ryder, the venue designer is calling me over. I have to go. Get some rest, okay?" Before he could respond, she had already hung up. Ryder stared at his phone for a long time. Then he let out a bitter laugh and turned back to his work. - Close to midnight, Laura sent over the venue designs and wedding outfits. Ryder opened the attachments. The wedding dress was stunning, and the suit looked sharp. It was clear she had put a lot of thought into it. But her heart—it had already been divided into pieces, scattered who knew where. At the same time, Seth updated his feed again, once more setting it to be visible only to Ryder. Seth: [I wish I could be the one standing by your side.] The accompanying photo showed Seth in a suit, standing next to Laura. Even though their faces had been blurred, Ryder recognized them instantly. The suit Seth was wearing was nearly identical to the one Laura had just sent him. A wave of nausea washed over Ryder for no reason at all. Chapter 2 Laura didn't come home for several days, always claiming she was busy with wedding preparations whenever Ryder asked. Three days later, the aroma of food filled the air as Ryder woke early in the morning. Laura bustled about in the kitchen with a spatula in hand, wearing an apron. On the living room table sat a gift box. "You're up! Breakfast will be ready soon. Sit down and relax. Oh, and that box on the table? It's a gift for you—open it and see if you like it," Laura said cheerfully. Instead of opening the gift, Ryder asked, "What made you think of giving me a gift all of a sudden?" Laura's eyes flickered nervously. "No reason. Do I need one to buy something for my soon-to-be husband?" Ryder could see through her. She was gambling—betting he hadn't overheard Seth's phone call or, if he had, that he didn't care. She probably won that bet. Truthfully, he didn't care anymore. He opened the gift box to reveal a flashy, expensive mechanical watch, the kind young men might find cool. Unfortunately, he preferred quartz watches. This watch seemed like something Seth would love. Ryder chuckled. "Your taste has changed quite a bit." Laura froze, glancing at him from the kitchen. Her expression tightened with worry. "But I like it," he added. Relief softened her features. "As long as you like it." Fuzzy, their cat, circled Laura's feet, meowing incessantly. "Before the wedding, let's take Fuzzy for a family portrait," Laura suggested. "Oh, sure—if you have time," Ryder replied. Soon, the table was set with a spread of dishes. Looking over the feast, Ryder smiled. "Quite the breakfast." Laura removed her apron and sat beside him, reaching out as if to hug him. Sensing her intent, Ryder moved slightly, creating a small gap between them. Her hands hung awkwardly in midair before she pulled them back, her expression caught between embarrassment and forced cheer. Something about Ryder felt different today. He wasn't sulking, as he might have in the past. Instead, he seemed unsettlingly calm. Finally, Laura patted her legs lightly. "I've been so busy lately. I knew you'd be upset, so I did all this to make it up to you. Don't be mad, okay? I'm doing it for us—for the wedding." Ryder turned to her with a faint smile. "I'm not mad. Let's eat." Before he could pick up his utensils, the doorbell rang. Laura jumped up to answer it. As soon as the door opened, Seth's voice echoed, loud and clear. "Ta-da! Laura, you're so scatterbrained. You forgot the design plans again, so the project manager sent me to bring them over." Laura froze momentarily, then quickly grabbed the plans from his hands, attempting to usher him out. "What's the rush, Laura? It smells amazing in here. Are you having breakfast? I haven't eaten yet!" Seth said, clasping his hands together in exaggerated pleading. Laura grew flustered, focused on pushing him out the door. "Seth, just go for now. I'll catch up with you later..." "Is that Seth?" Ryder called from the dining table. "If you haven't eaten, come in and join us before you go." Seth's face lit up in mock surprise. "Oh, Ryder! I didn't realize you were home. My bad, my bad. I thought you weren't here." Ryder tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? This is my house. It's early morning. If I'm not here, where would I be?" Seth faltered, his expression uneasy as he turned to Laura for support. Laura glanced at Ryder, her brows knitting together briefly. In the end, she didn't reprimand him. Instead, she allowed Seth inside. "Ryder, Seth is just a kid. You're a grown man. Don't take it personally," she said with a faint smile. Seth quickly added, "Yeah, Ryder. It was careless of me. Please don't hold it against me!" Ryder said nothing, his expression impassive as he picked up his utensils and began eating. Chapter 3 As soon as Seth sat down, his eyes lit up as he pointed at the gift box on the table. "Laura and I picked out this watch together last night!" he exclaimed. Ryder glanced at Laura, noticing her gaze was fixed on Seth. Her eyes were warm, and her faint smile carried a subtle tenderness. "You've got a good eye," she said, adding food to Seth's plate. "He really likes it." Seth turned to Ryder. "Ryder, don't blame Laura. She stayed up so late last night working on the wedding plans. Good thing I was there to help, or she wouldn't have even had time to drink water." Although his words were directed at Ryder, his gaze lingered on Laura, his expression faintly accusatory. Laura shot him a playful glare. "Alright, alright, you've done so much. Thank you." At the table, Ryder might as well have been invisible. He couldn't get a word in. For a moment, he laughed bitterly to himself before quickly masking his emotions. "I'm done eating," he said. "You two go ahead. I have something I need to take care of." Laura finally turned her attention to him. "Alright. Be careful on the road." As Ryder stood, his eyes caught on Laura's neckline—it was bare. "What happened to the necklace I gave you?" he asked. Laura instinctively touched her collar. "Oh, the pearl necklace? It broke, so I put it away." Her voice was hesitant, her explanation weak. Ryder didn't press her. He simply turned and walked out the door. Before it closed completely, he could still hear their voices from inside. - Ryder met up with his close friend, Harry Milliman, at a custom suit shop. The two had known each other since childhood. When Ryder's parents were still alive, their families had business dealings together. They'd studied abroad at the same time and had grown closer over the years. This was the shop where Laura had recently ordered a suit for him. Situated near the river, the store had an elegant and upscale interior. Dressed in clothes that radiated sophistication and wealth, Ryder and Harry caught the manager's attention as soon as they stepped in. "Are you here to order suits today?" the manager asked with a warm smile. Ryder shook his head. "A few days ago, Ms. Laura Moon placed an order for a custom suit, right?" "And you are?" the manager inquired. Ryder held up his ring and a photo on his phone. "I'm her fiancé. I'm here to place an additional order." After confirming his identity, the manager's smile widened. "Of course, sir! Will it be the same measurements?" "No," Ryder replied. "Actually, Laura's best friend is getting married on the same day as us. To keep things coordinated, I'd like to order a matching suit for the other groom." At that moment, Harry nudged him. "What's up?" Ryder asked. "Look over there. Laura," Harry muttered. Following Harry's gaze, Ryder spotted her across the street near a bustling shopping district. She wasn't alone—Seth was with her. Seth was carrying several large shopping bags while Laura wore his jacket over her shoulders, laughing sweetly at something he said. Ryder only looked for a few seconds before turning away, ignoring it altogether. He handed the manager a sheet of measurements. "Please use these to make the suit." The manager studied the numbers carefully before glancing at Harry. "These aren't for this gentleman, are they? The fit doesn't seem right for his build." "No, it's not for him," Ryder explained. "He's just a friend who happened to come with me today." The manager nodded in understanding. "Got it. By the way, you and Ms. Moon make such a handsome couple—a perfect match!" Ryder smiled faintly but turned his gaze back toward the shopping district. Laura and Seth were gone. Before leaving, he gave the manager one final instruction. "Oh, one more thing—don't mention this to my fiancée. She doesn't know her friend is getting married on the same day. It's supposed to be a surprise at the wedding." "Of course, Mr. Lineker. Don't worry—I won't say a word," the manager promised. After stepping out of the shop, Harry insisted on dragging Ryder to the shopping district. "Where'd you get those measurements?" Harry asked. "Six months ago, Laura's company held a gala, and she asked me to get a suit made for Seth," Ryder explained. "What?" Harry's voice was so loud it made Ryder's head throb. "Keep your voice down," Ryder said, rubbing his temple. "She asked you to make a suit for her assistant? The nerve of her!" Harry hissed. Ryder chuckled helplessly. He remembered that argument all too well. It had been one of their bigger fights, but, as always, he had ended up compromising in the end. Chapter 4 "Ryder! Ryder!" a voice called out from the end of the street. Ryder looked up and saw Seth—with Laura standing beside him, looking visibly awkward. It wouldn't have been hard to brush off the situation. After all, she was his boss, and he was her assistant. Saying they were on a business trip would have been perfectly reasonable. The problem was that Laura was draped in Seth's jacket, and they were standing too close to appear purely professional. Instead, they looked more like a couple out shopping together. With Harry also present, Laura felt the need to explain herself. "We were just in the area for a business meeting and were about to head back. It got a bit chilly, so Seth gave me his jacket," she said quickly. Harry scoffed. Trying to ease the tension, Laura asked, "What about you two? What brings you here?" "We came to try on suits, to make sure they fit," Ryder replied. "Don't worry, they'll fit perfectly. They were tailored to your measurements," Laura assured him. Ryder nodded without saying much else. Unable to tolerate the awkward atmosphere any longer, Harry tugged on Ryder's arm. "Alright, alright. We're both tired. Let's head back." In the taxi, Ryder opened Seth's social media feed. As expected, there was a new post. Seth: [Laura, you're the best! What other boss would take a whole day to go shopping with their assistant?!] Harry saw it too. "Wow. One of them is busy building the stage, and the other is tearing it down." On the way home, they passed a jewelry store. After a moment's hesitation, Ryder asked the driver to stop and went in to buy a pearl necklace. Later that night, Laura didn't return home until deep into the night. When the door finally opened, Ryder, who had been waiting, pulled out a box containing the pearl necklace he had bought. He took Laura's coat from her, his eyes dropping to her neck, and noticed she was already wearing a new necklace. "What's that?" he asked, gesturing toward her neck. "Oh, this?" Laura touched the silver necklace lightly. "Seth got it for me. He said my neck looked too plain and thought this would suit me better." Ryder's hand tightened around the box. "Silver doesn't suit you. Pearls match your style better," he said coldly. Laura frowned. "Why are you talking to me like that? So harsh, like you're picking a fight! It's Seth's thoughtful gift, and I think it looks good on me." Ryder froze for a moment. He vividly remembered how, back in university, Laura had told him she only liked pearl jewelry. That memory was why, even when money was tight, he had saved up to buy her a pearl necklace. Now, she didn't care about that necklace or about him. How quickly people changed... Ryder glanced toward the bedroom and chuckled, feeling a strange sense of release. "Harry's going on a business trip soon," he said, his tone calm. "His grandmother lives alone, and she's getting on in years. I'll be staying with her for a few days to help out." "That's fine. Just be back before the wedding," Laura replied. "Oh, and you've been so busy planning the wedding by yourself. Let me take over the rest of the arrangements. I should contribute too," he offered. Laura approached and hugged him from behind, nuzzling her face into his back. "Thanks, hubby!" Ryder gently pushed her away. "Alright, I'm tired too. Let's get some rest." For the second time recently, Laura felt something was off about him. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but her phone rang before she could say anything. "Laura! I fell asleep in your office after dinner and just woke up! The lights are off, and I'm locked in! Help me, Laura!" Seth's voice was loud enough for Ryder to hear clearly, even without the speaker on. Laura hesitated, glancing at Ryder. He waved her off. "It's late, and leaving Seth alone in the office isn't right. You should go check on him." Laura, feeling relieved, grabbed her phone and rushed out while reassuring Seth. Watching her leave, Ryder put down the gift box in his hand. The surface was damp with sweat. He opened the box and stared at the pearl necklace inside for a long time. Laura didn't come home that night. - The next morning, Ryder woke up and sat by the window, gazing outside for a long time. Most of the projects at work had already been handed off, and the wedding preparations were nearly done. With his departure imminent, his thoughts turned to the people he still needed to say goodbye to. His parents had long passed away, and he had no close relatives to speak of. Still, there were a few elders he felt he needed to visit before leaving. Chapter 5 At that moment, Laura's call came through. "Ryder, I just heard from the project department manager that you've handed off all your work to others. What's going on?" "I told you yesterday, didn't I? I'm taking care of the rest of the wedding planning. I can't juggle everything at once. The others in the department are seasoned employees—I trust them to handle things," Ryder explained. "Oh, alright. I thought... Never mind," Laura dismissed. "Mm," Ryder hummed. After hanging up, Laura couldn't shake the uneasiness in her heart. Something about Ryder didn't feel right, but his explanation made perfect sense, leaving her with little to question. Suddenly, she stretched her hand into the air, making a grasping motion. The air slipped through her fingers, leaving her empty-handed. It felt as if something was slipping away from her—something she couldn't hold onto. - Ryder hailed a cab and headed to an orphanage on the outskirts of town. This was the same orphanage his parents had supported while they were alive. The director, Alexander Sawyer, had been one of his father's closest friends. As soon as Alexander saw him from afar, he began waving enthusiastically. "Ryder, you're here!" He led Ryder into the orphanage. "What about Laura? Didn't she come with you this time? Aren't you two about to get married?" he asked. Forcing a weak smile, Ryder replied, "There's been... an issue. The wedding might not happen after all." Alexander's expression grew cautious. "What happened? Did you have a fight with Laura?" Shaking his head, Ryder answered, "No, it's not that. My professor emailed me recently, encouraging me to return and pursue further studies. I thought about it and decided to focus on my growth first." "Don't give me that nonsense! I've watched you grow up—what's really going on?" Alexander pressed. Faced with no way out, Ryder finally told Alexander about Seth. After listening, Alexander fell into a long silence. Eventually, he spoke. "Ryder, as long as this is truly what you want, I'll support you. All I want is for you to be happy." For the first time since deciding to leave, tears welled up in Ryder's eyes. Alexander's words struck something deep within him. He nodded firmly. "Thank you, Uncle Alexander." Alexander then asked, "Will we see you again soon, or..." "I'm not sure. It'll probably be a while. Once everything settles down, I'll come back and visit everyone," Ryder replied. - After bidding Alexander farewell, Ryder picked up some fruit and headed to a nearby hospital. Inside one of the rooms, an elderly woman with gray hair lay quietly in bed. "Granny Bambra, it's me. I came to see you," Ryder greeted. The old woman, Lisa Bambra, stirred, raising her head slightly. When she saw him, a soft smile spread across her face. "Ryder, you're here." She reached out a hand to touch his head, and he obediently leaned down to let her. Lisa was someone Ryder and Laura had met back in university. One day, while shopping, Lisa had suddenly collapsed in front of them. The two had rushed her to the hospital. It was only later that they learned she had no family. Feeling a connection, the two of them had decided to look after her in her twilight years. Over the past two years, Lisa's health had been steadily declining, and she had been frequently hospitalized. Pulling up a chair, Ryder sat by her bedside as she took his hand. "Ryder, I heard from Laura that you two are getting married soon, right?" she asked. Her words made him visibly uncomfortable. Explaining things to elders was always the hardest part. Upon noticing his hesitation, Lisa's expression grew concerned. "What's wrong? Did something happen?" Just as he opened his mouth to respond, the hospital room door swung open. Standing there with a bag of supplements was Seth. He froze momentarily at the sight of Ryder but quickly smiled. "Granny Bambra, hello! Laura and I came to see you," he greeted. Then, he turned to Ryder. "What a coincidence to see you here, too!" Pushing past Seth, Laura stepped into the room. When she saw Ryder, she asked, "You're here too? Why didn't you tell me?" "It was a last-minute decision," Ryder replied. "Didn't think it was worth bothering you over." Lisa pointed to Seth and asked Laura, "Laura, who is this?" Before Laura could answer, Seth jumped in with a cheerful grin. "Granny Bambra, I'm Laura's assistant. Just call me Seth." Lisa's gaze lingered on Laura and Seth momentarily, and a knowing look crossed her face. She turned back to Ryder as if to ask, "Is it because of this?" Ryder smirked and gave her a nearly imperceptible nod. Chapter 6 The three of them stayed with Lisa until the sun dipped low in the sky. She said she was tired and wanted to rest. "Alright then, you rest up. We'll head out now," they said. "Ryder, you stay. Read me a few stories. I haven't been sleeping well lately," Lisa requested. Ryder nodded and watched as Seth followed closely behind Laura, whispering something to her as they left the room. The hospital room fell silent again. "What about the wedding?" Lisa asked. "What are you planning to do?" "I'll take care of it. She'll be satisfied," Ryder replied. "And you?" Lisa pressed. "I'll go abroad, continue my studies, and probably settle there long-term," he answered. A heavy silence settled between them. "Alright. Granny supports you," Lisa said. Ryder stood up, gave her a tight hug, and left the room. Outside the hospital, Laura's car was parked by the curb. She waved at him as he walked out. "Come on, let's go home," she said. Ryder raised an eyebrow. "Where's Seth? Why isn't he with you?" Laura gestured toward the distance. "Over there. I told him to take a cab home." Ryder turned and saw Seth sitting on the curb, crouched at the corner of the street, far away. When he looked back at Laura, her gaze remained fixed on Seth. A wry smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "You should drive him home instead. It's a short walk for me from here—I'll walk back," he suggested. Laura hesitated, unease growing in her heart. She wanted to reach out and grab his hand but faltered when her eyes drifted back to Seth. "Alright. Be careful on your way," she said finally. The cool night breeze swirled around Ryder as Laura drove away, leaving only the fading trail of her car's exhaust. - Laura didn't come home until late again. Ryder sat on the bed, bathed in warm light, flipping through a book. Laura leaned in to take a look. It was a book on architectural design. "Isn't this what you studied abroad? Why are you reading it now?" she asked. Ryder continued flipping through the pages. "No reason. I found it while packing, so I figured I'd give it another look." Laura's instincts kicked in. "Packing? What are you packing for?" she pressed. "I told you a few days ago—I'm going to stay at Harry's place for a bit. Did you forget?" Ryder replied. Relieved, Laura exhaled. "Oh, that. Right." The room grew quiet again. "By the way, what did you end up talking about with Granny Bambra?" she asked. Without lifting his gaze, Ryder answered calmly, "I read her a fairy tale. She fell asleep after a while, so I came down." Laura opened the closet and noticed it was half-empty. Apart from one outfit of Ryder's, the rest were all hers. "Why did you pack so much?" she asked. "I'll be staying for a few days. Thought I'd bring a few extra things so I wouldn't have to come back for more," he answered. She went to the bathroom next, where only her toiletries remained on the sink. "Why did you pack all your bathroom stuff, too? Doesn't Harry have that covered?" she questioned. "It's not my place, so I figured I'd bring my own. Just to be safe," Ryder replied. Something about this unsettled Laura, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. The same unease from days before crept back into her heart. Pulling out her phone, she messaged Harry. Laura: [Is Ryder going to stay at your place?] Harry: [Yeah, I just moved into a new house. Why?] Laura: [Oh, nothing.] With confirmation from Harry, Laura's eyes returned to the sink. The single, solitary set of toiletries stared back at her. She didn't like the feeling it gave her—it was as if Ryder was systematically peeling himself away from her life, one piece at a time. They were getting married, weren't they? Laura tried to convince herself everything was fine. "By the way, Ryder, when are you moving to Harry's place?" she asked. "Tomorrow," he answered. Chapter 7 Laura barely slept that night, and by the time she woke up the next morning, Ryder was already gone. Looking around the empty house, she felt a wave of irritation. Her phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Seth. Seth: [Laura, it's already 9:00 a.m.! Why aren't you back at the office yet? Don't tell me you're still sleeping in?] He added a skeptical sticker at the end. Laura's annoyance flared, but she forced herself to reply calmly. Laura: [I'm on my way. If anyone comes looking for me, just handle it for now.] - Meanwhile, Ryder had already settled into Harry's place, dragging his suitcase inside. He was busy coordinating with the wedding planners, making sure every detail of the upcoming ceremony was adjusted—swapping the groom's name with Seth's. The invitations had been reprinted, the suit tailored for Seth was ready, and even the wedding photos had been photoshopped to include him. The final task was notifying Seth about his role in the wedding. "There's no need to notify him," Ryder muttered. "He's bound to show up and cause a scene anyway." He stared at the edited wedding photos on his laptop. "Showing up is easy. Getting him to wear the suit will be harder." Suddenly, an idea struck him. "Harry, the day before the wedding, can you pick up the suit and deliver it to Seth's place? Tell him it's from Laura," he said. Harry frowned but eventually nodded. Glancing at his schedule, Ryder saw the countdown—three days left until his departure. Harry sighed. "Time flies. Soon, we won't be able to meet up whenever we want." Ryder chuckled. "It's fine. Once I settle down over there, I can fly back to see you anytime you want." - For two days, Ryder hadn't contacted Laura. By the afternoon of the third day, as Ryder boarded his flight, Laura suddenly felt a pang of unease, her chest tightening with an inexplicable dread. She quickly grabbed her phone and called him, but the call didn't go through. Panicking, she dialed Harry instead. "Where's Ryder? Why isn't he answering his phone?" On the other end, Harry rolled his eyes so hard it seemed like they could hit the ceiling. "Seriously? Ryder's been swamped these past two days with wedding prep. He's exhausted! On top of that, he's been helping take care of my grandma. He doesn't have time to keep checking his phone!" he lied. Laura was momentarily speechless. "Sorry, I was just... worried about him," she mumbled. "What, do you think my house is some kind of danger zone?" Harry retorted. "No, that's not what I meant, I just—" Laura started. "Alright, alright. I'll let him know you called. Happy now?" Harry cut her off. Before she could respond, the line went dead. Laura tried to reassure herself. Maybe she was just overthinking things. Back at the office, Seth sauntered in and casually stood behind her chair, starting to massage her shoulders. "Laura, I haven't seen Granny Bambra in ages. Will she attend the wedding?" he asked. Laura shook her head. "Her health isn't great. She can't handle big, lively events like this. Why are you suddenly asking about her?" "No reason, just wanted to check in on one of your elders," Seth replied. The mention of elders reminded Laura of Alexander. Technically, Alexander was one of Ryder's elders, but since they were about to get married, he was practically hers as well. She called Alexander to let him know about the wedding date. "So the wedding's still happening as planned?" Alexander's tone carried a hint of curiosity, which Laura found odd. "Yes, why? Is there a problem?" she asked. Alexander gave a forced laugh. "Oh, no, no problem at all. It's just that the orphanage is undergoing renovations, and the place is full of kids right now. I really can't get away." "That's alright. You handle your work. After the wedding, Ryder and I will visit you and the children," Laura said. After hanging up, Seth started pestering her to join him for dinner. Laura studied him for a long moment, her intense gaze making him squirm uncomfortably. "Something wrong, Laura?" he asked. "No," she finally said, pulling her eyes away. "I'm just tired today. Go have dinner on your own." - Fresh off his flight, Ryder saw Harry's message and found a quiet spot to call Laura back. "I'm fine, just tired," he reassured her. "If you're so tired, stop overdoing it. Whatever's left to prepare, let me handle it." Laura's tone was anxious, but it only made Ryder's forced smile grow heavier. To an outsider, it might have seemed like she still cared for him. "It's all taken care of. Don't worry. Oh, by the way, I've got a surprise planned for you. But you'll have to wait until the wedding day to find out what it is," he said. The mention of a surprise caught Laura off guard, stunning her for a moment before she said, "A surprise? Oh! Okay! Thank you, hubby! You've worked so hard!" After the call ended, Laura felt her earlier worries dissipate. See? Ryder still loved her. - Far away in a foreign land, Ryder blocked her number after ending the call. Chapter 8 Once Laura convinced herself that Ryder still loved her, she forced down her unease and went about her days as usual—working at the office, having meals with Seth, and enjoying the peace of her routine. Life felt easy and pleasant. That was, until the night before the wedding, when she found herself unable to sleep. Even after spending the entire day shopping with Seth, exhaustion couldn't lull her to sleep. - The next morning, dark circles rimmed Laura's eyes. She was so out of it that the driver had to practically drag her into the car. When she arrived at the hotel lobby, it was already packed with guests. Everyone who saw her came up to congratulate her, but she only responded with perfunctory nods. Her eyelids felt too heavy to stay open. After half an hour resting in the dressing room, she went through makeup and wardrobe. Finally, she stood at the entrance to the hall. Laura waited for what felt like an eternity until it was time for the bride to make her entrance. Her nerves instantly tightened, and most of her sleepiness disappeared. She was excited for this moment. For as long as she had been with Ryder, she had dreamed of walking down the aisle toward him, becoming his bride. Today, that dream was finally coming true... right? The grand doors slowly opened. Laura smiled, lifting her dress as she took her first steps toward the groom. The spotlight illuminated her, but through the floating ribbons and decorations, she couldn't quite see the groom's face in the distance. Step by step, she moved closer. And then—she saw him clearly. It was Seth. Laura's smile froze and vanished. Ignoring the officiant's attempts to stop her, she marched straight up to Seth and grabbed him by the arm. "What are you doing here? Why is it you? Where's Ryder?" Her rapid-fire questions stunned Seth, the anticipation in his eyes replaced by confusion. "Laura… wasn't it you who sent me this suit? Didn't you invite me to attend the wedding today?" he asked. "What? When did I—" Laura began. Seth pointed to the large screen behind them. Laura followed his finger. The words on the screen were painfully clear—Seth's name was there as the groom. Laura's mind reeled. She stormed over to the officiant, her voice sharp and demanding. "How could you mess this up? How could you get the groom's name wrong?" The officiant's microphone was still on, and Laura's words echoed throughout the hall. The guests started murmuring, their whispers swelling into a noisy commotion. Frustrated, Laura snatched the microphone. "I'm so sorry for the mistake. The groom's name is Ryder Lineker!" She glared at the officiant. "Well? Fix it now!" A voice from the crowd called out, "That's not right, Ms. Moon. The invitations clearly say Seth Yarde." Laura froze, her movements stiff as she turned toward the speaker. The guest held up their invitation. As expected, it clearly listed Seth as the groom. Laura snatched the invitation and scrutinized it, reading it over and over. She then grabbed a few more invitations from nearby guests. Without exception, every single one named Seth. Suddenly, she laughed—a cold, hollow sound. In that instant, it felt like everyone in the room was playing a cruel joke on her. She bolted from the hall, heading straight for the hotel entrance. She needed to see the wedding photo display. Just as she approached the door, a realization hit her like a thunderbolt. For weeks, she had been spending every day with Seth. She hadn't taken any wedding photos with Ryder. And come to think of it, Ryder had never even mentioned taking any. As she stood in front of the photo display, her worst fear was confirmed. The photos showed her and Seth. The invitations, the photos—everything had been arranged by Ryder. He had coordinated the details with the wedding planners himself. It was all Ryder's doing. This was the surprise he had promised her. But where was Ryder now? Behind her, Seth approached cautiously, reaching out as if to steady her. "Don't touch me!" Laura growled, her voice trembling with rage. Seth froze in place, his hand dropping to his side. That was when Laura's eyes landed on the watch on his wrist. It was a mechanical watch—the watch she had given to Ryder. She seized Seth's hand. "Why are you wearing this? Why is this watch on your wrist?" Without waiting for a response, she yanked it off, the metal strap scraping Seth's skin and leaving angry red marks. "How dare you wear this watch?" she demanded. Seth, now visibly shaken, bit his lip before quietly muttering, "Stop looking for him. He left something for you." Laura froze, her wild fury suddenly replaced by a chilling stillness. She turned stiffly to face him, her voice wavering. "What is it? Do you know where Ryder is?" "He left you a letter," Seth said.