Chapter 10

Admittedly, Vanessa was surprised when she saw the messages. Blake had told her he wouldn't return until the night before the wedding, but now he was back early and even wanted to visit her. Perhaps due to her lack of response, the phone buzzed again. This time, it was a call from Blake. She cleared her throat before answering. "Blake, you... why did you come back so soon?" "I wanted to see you sooner, so I wrapped up work early. Which hospital are you at? I'll come over now." Hearing the worry and urgency in his voice, Vanessa felt her heart soften. She quickly reassured him, "You don't have to come. I'm getting discharged today. You should go home and rest after your flight." Midway through her words, she suddenly stammered, "Besides… we're about to get married." There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Blake let out a soft sigh. "But, Vee, I'm really worried about you." It was the first time he'd ever called her by her nickname. Vanessa was momentarily stunned, and her face flushed red. She managed a small smile and replied, "Blake, really, I'm fine. I believe that after I marry you, every day will be filled with happiness." Blake hummed in agreement, then swore sincerely, "Vee, I promise to spend my life protecting you and making you happy. With me, you'll always have the freedom to be yourself." Vanessa paused, her eyes suddenly stinging with unshed tears. "Okay." Winter passed, and spring was on its way. During the days she spent in the hospital, Vanessa was never alone. Blake called her every day to chat, arranged for caregivers to look after her, and even had bodyguards stationed nearby to ensure her safety. The day she was discharged, she hung up her phone call with Blake just as she was about to step into the Samson residence. "Who were you talking to?" Vanessa looked up to find Harris standing at the door, his eyes dark with unspoken emotion. She averted her gaze and replied calmly, "A friend." "A friend? What friend makes you so happy that you can't hang up even when you get home?" His anger was evident, but Vanessa's expression remained composed. "Harris, is that all you wanted to ask me about?" Harris struggled to control the emotions building inside him. He handed her a gift and said, "I saved Waverly first when you both fell into the sea because she has a fear of deep water. And I haven't visited you these past few days because she was shaken up..." His explanation trailed off when he noticed the indifference in her gaze. Vanessa didn't reach for the gift. Instead, she coolly interrupted him. "Thank you for the thought, but there's no need to apologize. One is your future wife, and the other is your sister. It's only natural that you saved her first." With that, she brushed past him and entered the house. On the night before the wedding, Vanessa sat alone in her room, scrolling through the photos on her phone and deleting the memories she had captured with Harris over the years. The earliest photo was taken on her first day with the Samson family. He had pulled her into the frame, his eyes full of tenderness while hers reflected only fear. The last photo was taken the day before he had discovered her feelings for him. In it, her eyes were full of unmasked affection, and his held a fondness for her. Now, all that remained between them was distance. Over 5,000 photos had chronicled most of their youth together and her seven years of love for him. With one final click, she deleted them all. Just then, there was a knock on her door. Vanessa opened it to see Harris, who was dressed impeccably in a tailored suit. She was momentarily surprised that he would come to her on the eve of his wedding, but curiosity didn't stir in her. Her tone was calm as she asked, "Is something the matter?" Her detachment made Harris' chest tighten. When had things become this strained between them? Suppressing the ache clawing at his heart, he said, "I just wanted to see if you were still awake." Vanessa seemed unfazed. "I was about to sleep. If you have nothing to say, I'll close the door." "Vanessa, I—" Countless words surged to the tip of Harris' tongue, and he could barely hold them back. "What is it?" Staring at Vanessa's poker face, Harris tightened his fists before relaxing again. After a long pause, he forced down the turmoil rising in his chest and recollected himself—the words he wanted to say dissolved into silence. "Nothing. Get some rest." Vanessa nodded and closed the door. She didn't sleep immediately. Instead, she spent the next hour carefully packing, then carried a box to Harris' door and placed it outside. Morning came, and Harris, now dressed for the wedding, opened his door to find a large box sitting there. He didn't need to guess who had left it by looking at the handwriting on the note affixed to it. He was supposed to head downstairs, but he went and knocked on her door. "Vanessa, what's with the box?" There was a brief silence before her voice came through the door. "It's a wedding gift for you." Harris wanted to press further, but Katrina's voice rang out from downstairs, urging him to hurry. He called back to her and then asked Vanessa if she wanted to come with him. Her voice grew a little louder this time. "No, you go ahead. I'll meet you at the ceremony." Harris knew she was still upset with him and chose not to push her. However, as he stood there, something inside him refused to settle. His heart raced with an inexplicable unease as though he'd lose her forever if he left now. He knocked on the door in an almost frantic rhythm. "Vanessa, open the door. I have something—" Before he could finish, Katrina appeared and sounded exasperated. "Harris! What are you still doing here? You'll be late! Whatever you need to say to your sister, you can tell her at the wedding." At last, Harris took a deep breath and followed Katrina downstairs. He reassured himself that he would see Vanessa at the ceremony. The moment Harris left the house, Vanessa opened her door and stepped out in her wedding gown. The line of wedding cars departed the Samson family residence and headed toward the city center. As the final car disappeared from view, another set of wedding cars rolled up the driveway. "Vee, I'm here to pick you up." Blake's warm voice echoed softly through the phone. Vanessa ended the call with a smile and descended the stairs. She paused only briefly to take in the house she had called home for so many years. Then, without looking back, she entered the car and took Blake's waiting hand. The two convoys of wedding cars drove off in opposite directions, bound for the same destination.