Chapter 3

Melinda was shocked by my decision. "Are you out of your mind? If Kody finds out you're marrying someone else, he'll go insane. He loves you so much. You've been together for ten years, not just ten days."

Yes, I had been with him for ten years, from when I was nineteen to now.

But why was I the only one caught in this web of emotions over the decade?

"And it's Brody, the one Kody can't stand you being around, remember?"

I forced a bitter smile, not wanting to explain further.

Kody disliked any man around me, except for my father.

In the social circles of Clarment, he and Brody were like rivals who never saw eye to eye, constantly clashing for years.

Kody strictly forbade me from interacting with Brody, always holding him in contempt. "Brody left the family business behind to start a new venture, not even considering if he's cut out for it."

When I was around, Brody would restrain himself a lot.

Yet, his habitual actions often led to more intense arguments between Kody and me.

Several times, Kody would angrily pull me to his side, trying to keep me away from Brody.

He would say angrily, "Clara, don't forget I'm your boyfriend. Behave yourself in front of others and stop flirting with other men."

I was just being polite, smiling at everyone as I entered the room, but he only found fault with Brody.

Later, to avoid conflict, I stopped attending events where Brody would be present.

Eventually, Brody stopped attending, too, only sending me a message. "If you ever need anything, you can always reach out. I'll have your back."

But Kody read it out loud, word by word, and coldly replied himself. "My girlfriend doesn't need your concern, Brody. Stay as far away as you can."

It had been almost two years since we last saw each other.

At this moment, he rushed over, slightly out of breath, as most of the guests had already left the hall.

My parents publicly announced that the wedding was temporarily canceled due to my severe abdominal pain, promising to notify them of a new date later.

They hurriedly tried to appease Kody, and after failing to persuade me, stormed off after angrily hitting my back twice.

Dressed in a white gown, I stood on the stage, watching Brody walk slowly towards me.

Although he was panting, his eyes sparkled with a smile. "Am I on time? I tried very hard not to run a red light."

He knew I always followed the rules and despised those who broke them.

Somehow, his smile calmed the storm within me.

I reached out my hand to him and smiled. "You're just in time."

The wedding was simple.

Even the pastor was hired on short notice, and his ordinary words were spoken haltingly.

The few guests left were wide-eyed in astonishment.

Perhaps seeing the seriousness in my eyes, no one took out their phones to snap pictures. They just sat quietly.

They witnessed Brody holding my hand as we walked to the stage, exchanging promises to stay together no matter what.

My phone buzzed incessantly, forgotten in the empty waiting room.

Kody's name repeatedly flashed on the screen, growing impatient, he quickly sent messages.

"Clara, didn't I tell you not to ignore my calls?"

"I'll forgive you this time. Tonya's fine now, but she's upset. She wants to invite you to a high-end restaurant on the top floor of Twin Star Towers. Go pick a good spot first. I'll bring her over."

"Remember to choose a seat by the window. Tonya likes a wide view."

He completely forgot that I had a fear of heights.

That restaurant had been in our favorites for years, but because of its height, he always vetoed it first.