Chapter 3 Gone

At midnight, the venue is empty, the guests and media having been ushered out by Lucas Klein, whose anger is palpable. Only the families of the groom and bride remain, along with us, who have been welcomed as part of the Klein family. Luna, Max, Sienna, and I sit frozen, still trying to process the events. Luna's tears fall onto Max's chest as he comforts her, his words soft and soothing. Uncle Vaughn and Aunt Melanie engage in a hushed conversation with Aiden's parents, attempting to find a solution to the crisis.

The Kleins' influence and connections would have uncovered any information about Olivia's disappearance, and it's clear that her leaving was a deliberate choice. Cassandra Klein's approach to her son is filled with anguish, her tears matching his. Aiden's eyes squeeze shut as he holds back his emotions, his strength for his mother's sake. When she steps back, her gaze is shattered, and I feel the weight of their pain. Lucas Klein's brief words to Aiden are inaudible, but his fury is evident as he walks away. This day, meant to be a joyous celebration, has turned into a public humiliation, leaving the Klein family shattered.

As Uncle Vaughn and Aunt Melanie approach us, the bride's family departs, their faces etched with sorrow. Uncle Vaughn shares a knowing glance with Max, conveying a silent understanding. "They're leaving," he says, his voice low. "Aiden will stay." Max sighs and gently kisses Luna's forehead. "Let's go home, Luna. I'll come with you." It's implicit that Max will accompany us, as the Kleins need him now more than ever. Luna's eyes well up as she gazes at her mother, her head shaking in refusal. Cassandra's voice trembles as she pleads, "Luna, let's go home, sweetheart." But Luna's eyes remain fixed on Aiden, still standing at the altar with his back to us. I feel a lump form in my throat as Luna's voice cracks, "No, what about Aiden?" Cassandra takes a deep breath, her voice laced with pain. "He's staying, Luna. He needs time alone." Luna's face sets in determination. "I'm not leaving him." As Max helps her stand, Luna walks toward Aiden, her voice calling out, "Aiden, let's go home." The silence is palpable, Luna's lips trembling as she awaits his response. "Please," she adds, her voice barely above a whisper. Aiden's voice is hoarse, his words firm. "I'm staying, Luna. Just go home." Luna's eyes widen in disbelief, her fist clenched at her side. "I won't leave without you, Aiden. I won't leave you alone." Her voice is resolute, but Aiden remains silent, the tension building. Tears stream down Luna's face, her anguish evident as she begs again, "Please, Aiden, come home with me. Why are you still here?" The silence stretches, heavy with emotion, as we wait for Aiden's response.

"Why are you still waiting here?" Luna's voice is now laced with anger, her emotions torn between despair and fury. "Why are you still waiting for her?" Aiden turns around, his voice booming through the hall. "We promised to meet at this altar, the last time we spoke!" His jaw is clenched, tears brimming in his eyes, but he holds them back. The pain in his eyes is palpable, and I feel a stinging sensation, knowing I'm the cause of his suffering. If only I hadn't overheard Olivia and Roman in the garden, she would have walked down the aisle as promised.

Luna is taken aback by Aiden's outburst, and Max steps in, comforting her. "I'm sorry, Luna," Aiden says, his voice raspy, turning his back on us again. "Please, just go home without me." Max whispers to Luna, "Come, he'll be okay." But it's hard to believe. Everyone knows Aiden is far from okay. Still, we need to respect his wishes and leave him alone for now.

Lucas calls out to Luna, and she nods, sniffling, as Max wraps his arms around her. Uncle Vaughn and Aunt Melanie depart, but I remain frozen, unable to move. It's all because of me that this happened. Sienna's voice startles me, "Nevaeh, come on. We're leaving." I have no choice but to let her guide me away. My eyes linger on Aiden, and the last thing I see before exiting the hall is his back, a constant reminder of my guilt.

"Wow, that's incredible!" Bailey exclaims, munching on a potato chip as we watch her favorite thriller movie in her living room. "That girl has the courage to call 911 with her kidnapper in the same room. Doesn't she think he can hear her?" Brea shudders, her eyes fixed on the TV. "I'm getting chills. But she's a genius for faking that call, right, Nevaeh?" I turn my head, distracted, and respond briefly, "Yeah." My mind is elsewhere, and I can feel Brea's gaze on me, sensing my lack of attention. Despite being excited for this sleepover at their New York home during my vacation, my behavior tonight suggests otherwise. Bailey and Brea, my friends from Texas who moved to New York a year ago, picked me up from Aunt Melanie's house today for our planned sleepover. Currently, we're having a midnight Netflix session. Earlier, Aunt Melanie's house was quiet, still reeling from yesterday's events, especially Max, who came home looking weary. Understandably, he's upset, considering Aiden like a brother. My heart remains restless, haunted by Aiden's pained expression. I keep telling myself I deserve this guilt, this horrible feeling, for what happened. His girlfriend of five years, the woman he loves, left him abruptly, without a word, in front of the world.

My heart tightens again, and I can't focus. I've lost my appetite, and sleep eludes me. Aiden Klein dominates my thoughts. "The suspense is killing me!" Bailey exclaims, still engrossed in the movie. "This waiting game is torture." Brea jumps at a sudden plot twist, and Bailey teases her, tossing a pillow. "That's what makes this movie so great!" The word "waiting" sends a chill down my spine. A bad feeling settles in. My pulse races, and I feel an overwhelming urge to leave. I glance at my watch; it's just past midnight. Aiden can't possibly be waiting again... yet, I can't shake off the feeling. I leap up, startling the twins, and rush into their bedroom. I quickly change into jeans and a sweater, grab my backpack, and order an Uber. "What's wrong?" Bailey and Brea ask in unison, concern etched on their faces. "I'm so sorry, but there's an emergency at my cousin's house. I have to go," I say, trying to sound convincing. The truth is, I'm not heading there. I'm going somewhere else. "We can take you," Brea offers, but I decline, my voice laced with urgency. "I'll be fine. I've got an Uber coming."

As soon as I step out of the car, I sprint into the property, my sneakers pounding the ground. The deserted parking lot and lit hall confirm my worst fears, and my mind races with denial. But my instincts scream that something is terribly wrong, and I can't shake off the feeling that I know what's happening to him. I slow down near the hall, my breathing heavy, and peek inside through the tall windows. The empty space reveals Aiden Klein sitting in a row, still in his wedding suit, speaking on the phone. My heart aches; he's been here for two nights, and I sense his anguish. He's asking about Switzerland and Roman, his voice trembling. The call ends, and I wait for his reaction, my anxiety building. Then, I see him break down, covering his eyes, his body heaving with sobs. Tears stream down his face, and I feel mine falling too. The sight shatters my heart, and I slump against the wall, hugging my knees. The silence is deafening, and I can feel the world crumbling around us.

I watch, frozen, as Aiden's tears fall like rain, his chest heaving with each sob. His pain is palpable, and I feel it like a knife twisting in my chest. The sound of his sobs echoes through the hall, and I can't help but wonder what's happening. The woman he loves and his best friend have left him, flown to Switzerland, and I can't help but wonder if they're starting a new life without him. The thought is cruel, and I can feel my anxiety building. I peek again, and the sight makes my heart shatter into pieces. Aiden's tears won't stop, and neither will mine. We're both broken, and I don't know how to fix it.

I slump against the wall, hugging my knees and squeezing my eyes shut. My chest aches, and my throat hurts from holding back sobs. I can feel Aiden's pain as if my heart is being pierced by a knife. He loves her so deeply, and this betrayal is unbearable. I cry silently, my body shaking, as Aiden's sobs echo in my mind. Time stands still, and I'm lost in his anguish.

Suddenly, a gentle voice breaks the silence. "Excuse me, miss." I open my eyes to find a middle-aged gardener standing before me, concern etched on his face. "Why are you sleeping here?" I'm disoriented, and my head spins as I sit up. The hall is empty, and Aiden is gone. The gardener notices my confusion and fills in the blanks. "The groom left just before you woke up. Poor man, being left at the altar like that." His words are laced with empathy. "Is he your friend? You should try to call him." I stare, lost, and slowly rise to my feet. My head still spins from the emotional toll of the night. I scan the empty hall, and a soft sigh escapes my lips. Aiden is truly gone.