Chapter 266

Joseph looked sincerely at Melissa, unsure whether he could trust him. Melissa shook her head, both doubtful and painful. "No, it's not too late to regret it now." "What?" Joseph opened his mouth, deeply stung by her words. "About our engagement." Melissa slowly stood up, wiping away her tears and spoke weakly. "If you don't love me, then let's just break up." Joseph shook his head, bitterly laughing, casting his pained gaze toward the boundless night outside the window. How could he possibly not love her? ...... Three days later, the engagement ceremony was held as planned. All the well-known figures in the circle, colleagues from both sides, as well as family and friends all arrived. The wedding dress that Melissa wore was based on the starry sky design she once gave to Joseph. However, that didn't cheer her up, as she sat alone in the dressing room, still feeling resentful about the incident with Anna. "Wow, is this my Melissa? You're fantastic!" Grandma Julia, pushed in a wheelchair by Aunt Sarah, came into the dressing room. This old lady had been looking forward to this moment. "Thank you, grandma." Melissa said distractedly, her gaze carrying a hint of restlessness and nostalgia. "What’s wrong, child? With grandma here to support you, what’s there to be afraid of? As long as you and Joseph truly love each other, there's no problem.” Grandma Julia thought that Melissa was worrying because Joseph's parents opposed their engagement. "Hmm.” Melissa's spirits were low, and she forced herself to give Grandma Julia a smile. Did she and Joseph truly love each? Even if she truly loved Joseph, did Joseph truly love her? Melissa began doubting her own feelings. She could only replay each moment she spent with Joseph from when they first met. Everything felt so real, then why did he meet with Anna alone until late a night, and why did Anna send flirtatious messages to Joseph? The more Melissa thought about it, the more of a headache she got. She could hardly bear what she was feeling. "Good child, get ready then. See you on stage later." Seeing that Melissa wasn't in the right mindset, and knowing that she got nervous easily, Grandma Julia left the dressing room. Grandma Julia just missed Amy as she left the dressing room. The moment Melissa saw Amy, she felt as if she had seen a family member, and she couldn’t help but choke up. "Amy! It's been a long time since we last met, hasn't it? Why have you lost so much weight?" Melissa greeted him warmly as she saw Amy, who is a very astute person, and immediately noticed that Melissa's mood was off. "Melissa what's wrong? Don't want to marry Joseph?" Amy joked, only to have Melissa shed a tear that she quickly wiped away with her finger. "I don't know, Joseph's ex-girlfriend is back." Melissa spoke in a whisper to Amy, her heart heavy with anxiety. "And then, have they met?" Amy asked with caution. "They seem to have met three times." Melissa answered truthfully, eager for Amy's opinion. Seeing the pain that Melissa was in at the moment, likely not even a tenth of what she had endured, Amy was surprisingly okay with being Melissa's stand-in, and now Melissa was likely to become the replacement for Joseph's ex-girlfriend. Amy's heart was actually quite balanced, her eyes held sympathy but she said decisively. "Then it's most likely the case, why would they meet three times otherwise? Since it's an ex, why the delay? Joseph is too good at pretending." Amy said indignantly, and upon hearing this, Melissa felt as if a knife was twisting in her heart. "Miss Austin, the engagement ceremony is about to start!" Melissa's makeup artist came in and quickly guided Melissa by her arm towards the waiting room, Amy watched Melissa's haggard back and showed a wicked smile. When Melissa entered the waiting room, her three children were already waiting for her there. "Mom, you look so beautiful!" Alvina praised with a sweet smile, she and Alvin each held a corner of their mom's dress, and Barry had a wicker basket full of petals on his arm. Melissa gave them a soft smile "You guys are also my most beautiful and adorable treasures." "Uncle Peter, are you also here to help Mom scatter flower petals?" Alvin unwittingly noticed Peter standing at the entrance to the waiting room and asked. It was then that Peter gathered the courage to step into the room, a complicated look in his eyes as he said to Melissa. "Happy engagement." Then, without waiting for Melissa to reply, he silently left the room. He was just peeking at the woman he had loved for six years, he didn't want to disturb her happy life anymore. Today was an important day, and Melissa should spend it without any burden. ..... The music on the stage started to play, and the big screen showed sweet and happy photos of Melissa and Joseph. Melissa was about to enter the venue, Alvin and Alvina excitedly held onto their mother's skirt tail and walked towards their father on the stage. While making her entrance, Melissa happened to see the woman in the video avatar that had been sent to Joseph. She must be Anna, who was even more beautiful in person than in photos. Suddenly, Melissa noticed Anna was also looking at her, her eyes full of scorn and provocation, as if the engagement ceremony meant nothing and she is determined to compete with Melissa to the end. Melissa caught her breath, looking melancholic as she walked towards Joseph. When she arrived at his side, she whispered to him. "Why is she here?" "Cheer up, I will explain to you after the ceremony." Joseph whispered back. As Melissa tried to leave, her hand was suddenly grasped by Joseph, and after struggling a few times, she finally conceded. Melissa saw business partners they had met in the past, along with staff she had trained. Joshua and his student girlfriend sat downstage, their plain and modest demeanor exhibiting a couple's aura. Amy and Peter, being good friends of Melissa, sat at the same table. They never looked at each other, feeling an uncomfortable awkwardness between themselves. Sitting in the front row, Jacob and his wife were stern-faced and silent, which brought a lot of psychological pressure to Melissa. However, when she glanced at Grandma Julia, the warmth she felt in her heart moved her to want to cry. Melissa hesitated and finally set her eyes on Anna in the corner. Her gazing eyes were full of charm, a clear rival for Melissa. Melissa started to waver again, debating whether she should carry on with the engagement ceremony. "Please, Mr. Clarkson, give your lover, Miss Austin, her ring and express your vow of love." The co-ordinator reminded. Joseph took out a diamond engagement ring and put it on Melissa's middle finger. "Melissa, I love you, and I would dedicate all that I have to protect you for a lifetime..." Joseph, with passion in his eyes, solemnly opened his mouth. Melissa shook her head slightly. She didn't believe it--she didn't believe anyone right now! Suddenly, the entire banquet hall began to shake, the crystal chandelier on the ceiling shattered under the severe tremor, hitting the crowd in the hall. Screams of terror spread all around! Before the entire building collapsed, Joseph instinctively held onto Melissa and their children! The grudges, loves, and potential story entanglements of everyone at the scene were buried deep within this earthquake. The only certainty was that once again, Joseph had protected Melissa at the edge of life and death. His final thoughts before losing consciousness were, 'I love you with all my life, won't you believe me now?' Even at the verge of death, he protected her with all that he's got. ..... A few days later, while some of the injured victims were receiving medical attention at the hospital; the rescue team arrived at the banquet hall in City S to search for more survivors. Especially, the celebrants of the banquet. The life detector then gave off beep signals! One rescuer yelled to his partner. "Hurry up, over here--" There was still lives left that needed to be rescued! THE END.