Breaking her own rule, Serena took the initiative to text me. For once, she didn't politely address me as first young master.
Julian, as long as you agree to never harm Dominic again, that thing you mentioned to me before, I'll reconsider it.
The last time was before I fell into the water. I had gathered all my courage to hand her my love journal, nervously stammering out a confession, hoping she would be my girlfriend. But Serena had immediately requested a week's leave, showing her resistance. When her leave ended, she heard I had fallen into the water. And after I woke up, she never mentioned it again.
She planned to give me three final hours to think it over. Serena kept telling herself this was only for Dominic's future happiness. She couldn't love a cruel, vicious man like me.
Normally speaking, within a second of sending this message, I would reply immediately. But as she watched time tick by, it was almost time for her to propose to Dominic. Was I really that stubborn, insisting on making things difficult for Dominic?
Serena's beautiful face was covered in frost and she spoke with disappointment. Then, in the final second of her countdown, she deleted all my contact information as punishment for me.
After doing all that, Serena held an expensive bouquet adorned with jewels and stood before the private room door. Inside was Dominic, whom her assistant had called over in advance. Through the door, she could already hear Dominic excitedly calling his friends.
"The eldest princess of the Ashford family is proposing to me. This is amazing. Thank God it's not me who has to marry that cripple. But Julian — honestly, though, right about now, he's probably consummating his marriage with her, right? Hilarious. I really want to see how pathetic he looks right now. Of course, there's no need to worry about Julian coming back to bother me. He used to be obsessed with that broke bodyguard, but last time I pushed him into the water and he lost his memory. That bodyguard is an idiot too. What made her think I would ever like her?"
I had thought the wedding with Vivienne Sinclair would be a hasty affair, just going through the motions, because I knew very well this marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. Besides, the Sinclair family's original choice for the alliance had been Dominic. I only agreed because I wanted my freedom. Before stepping out of the dressing room, I had mentally prepared myself to be looked down upon by the Sinclair family.
But unexpectedly, the entire wedding venue was extravagantly decorated, packed with guests, not a single seat empty. There was even a graceful, kind-looking noble lady who immediately walked over with a warm smile, taking my hand.
"Dear child, you're Julian, aren't you? Don't be nervous. You should call me mother now."
I was slightly stunned, but went along with it, stammering a bit. "Mother. Is — is the Sinclair family always this grand?"
Mrs. Sinclair covered her mouth and laughed. "Of course not. But a wedding is a momentous occasion. It deserves proper treatment."
But I didn't seem to be the person they originally wanted for the alliance. Before I could say this, Mrs. Sinclair had already taken my hand and led me away. Along the way, she chattered on about many things.
"I told Vivienne before to hurry to the capital to bring you back, but she kept making excuses. Luckily, she arrived in time last time and managed to pull you from the sea. But don't be upset. Vivienne was just too shy to meet you. She's thin-skinned. Dear child, your family couldn't attend, so just think of me as your real mother. I will definitely treat you well."
Just like that, I was dazedly pushed through the wedding proceedings. Everything was ready. But when I saw the bride, Vivienne Sinclair, walking steadily toward me, I was still momentarily stunned.
I wanted to ask, wasn't Vivienne Sinclair disabled? Wasn't she supposed to never walk again? And yet, watching this elegant, refined woman approach step by step until she stood beside me, I couldn't help but pinch my own leg. This wasn't a dream.
Noticing my movement, Vivienne lowered her lashes and spoke softly. "Young Master Langford, no need to be shocked. My legs have indeed healed. I hadn't told the Langford family or you because I hadn't found the right moment. I'm truly sorry."
Though she seemed somewhat aloof, she was very reasonable. Not only that, she had personally come to the capital to rescue me from the sea. So I had a rather good impression of this Vivienne Sinclair.
I thought it over. The two of us were in a business marriage after all. Now that Vivienne's legs had healed, there was probably no rush to get married. Better to just go through the motions and find a way to divorce later.
I started to speak. "Miss Sinclair, there's something I'd like to discuss with you—"
"Wait." Vivienne cut me off coldly, pulling me before the officiant to exchange vows, exchange rings, and complete the ceremony.
I found another opportunity to speak. "Miss Sinclair, maybe we shouldn't rush this. Let me say a few things first."
Vivienne, glass in hand, swiftly yet elegantly made a round of toasts, then pulled me toward the bridal suite.
I sat down, unconsciously accepting the glass Vivienne handed me, and anxiously tried again. "Miss Sinclair, how about we discuss — can you wait just a bit longer?"
Vivienne cut me off again, then sat down beside me, her serious, cold face somehow flushed pink. "There's one last ritual. We haven't drunk our cross-cupped wine yet."
Serena didn't know how she had left. Her entire body felt like it had fallen into an ice cellar. She thought she should be angrier and more disappointed at Dominic's deception and his disdain for her status as a bodyguard. But for some reason, her mind was filled with what Dominic had said about Julian.
When Serena came to her senses, she was already in the car, starting the engine. Outside, her assistant ran over anxiously. "Miss Ashford, where are you going? The proposal is all set up. You're the only one missing."
Serena's eyes were red, her beautiful face full of exhaustion as she ground out each word. "Cancel everything. Right now."
All she wanted was to confirm something.
The speedometer shot up to a hundred. Serena didn't bother hiding her identity anymore, driving her Maybach urgently to the Langford estate. She kicked open Julian's door and looked at the empty room inside.
Serena's heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant hand, the pain making even her breath tremble. All his belongings were gone. He had really left.
But she was the bodyguard who had been by his side. She should have noticed something was wrong. If she had just paid a little attention. What had she been doing during all that time?