Chapter 21
Eliza just shook her head, her demeanor as cold as ice. “It’s too late.”
Too late.
Too late.
Too late.
Those three little words hit Aiden like a bolt of lightning. He watched in stunned silence as Eliza gazed lovingly at Dean and gently nodded, whispering, “I do.” In that instant, his world came crashing down.
The laughter and cheers around him turned into a cruel mockery, stabbing at his heart with a sharp, unforgiving pain. Regret washed over him like a tidal wave. He never thought his past mistakes would drive the woman he loved into another man’s arms,
As Eliza and Dean embraced, Aiden’s eyes filled with despair, but he couldn’t bring himself to surrender. “It doesn’t matter. Even if you’re with him now, there’ll come a day when you two part,” he said, his voice shaking with stubborn determination. “I won’t marry anyone else. It has to be you, I can wait.”
It felt like he was speaking to Eliza, but also trying to convince himself to hold on.
Eliza heard Aiden’s words, but her heart was unmoved. She had been through too much pain because of him, and those wounds had toughened her heart. She didn’t acknowledge Aiden, instead, she slowly lifted her head to meet Dean’s gaze, her eyes filled with love.
Dean read her expression, gently cupping her face as he leaned in closer. Their lips met in a tender kiss amidst the crowd’s blessings. This kiss was not just a declaration of their love, but a symbol of Eliza’s definitive break from the past.
Watching it all unfold, Aiden felt a searing pain that cut deep. It was as if he could feel his heart breaking, bit by bit, until the agony made it hard to breathe. He wanted to turn away and leave, but he was rooted to the spot, unable to move.
In the days that followed, Dean treated Eliza like a queen, showering her with all the beauty the world had to offer. Every morning, he’d bring her freshly picked flowers, the dew still sparkling on the petals. They were a silent promise of his love.
Every dinner was an event, whether it was a romantic candlelit meal or a culinary adventure around the globe. Luxury gifts, sports cars, and jewels arrived at their mansion, as if money were no object.
Their love was on full display. They frequently shared sweet moments on social media, whether it was playful selfies during their travels or heartwarming everyday snippets. They always drew endless likes and blessings.
At every event, Dean held Eliza’s hand tight, his gaze full of adoration, as if she were the very center of his universe. This public display of love kept Eliza floating on cloud nine and left everyone around them green with envy.
For Aiden, it was pure torture. He couldn’t help but follow every update on Eliza and Dean, and each happy picture felt like a knife twisting in his heart. Often, he’d find himself alone in a dark room, staring at their photos on his phone, reliving his memories with Eliza. His mind was haunted by regret and sorrow.
He tried to bury himself in work, hoping to forget her. In the quiet of the night, when loneliness crept in, Eliza’s smile would still inevitably surface in his mind. He knew he had lost the most precious person, but he couldn’t stop longing for her. This inner turmoil left him tormented, growing more gaunt and weary each day.
