The Unfinished Wedding
He held a custom diamond ring, saying Vivian Shaw was a thing of the past, and that from now on, he only wanted to be with me.
I hesitated for three seconds.
It wasn't that I didn't love him; it was just that I always felt his gaze lacked a certain certainty when he looked at me.
But we couldn't resist—our families were long-time friends, and our parents had arranged our childhood marriage years ago.
Besides, he repeatedly assured me that he had let go of the promise he made to Vivian Shaw five years ago; in the end, I gave in.
The wedding was scheduled for late autumn that year, and the church was filled with my favorite white roses.
I sat in the dressing room wearing my wedding dress while the makeup artist touched up my lipstick, when suddenly, a commotion broke out outside the door.
The bridesmaid rushed in, panic-stricken, saying that Leo Shawn had disappeared.
The pearl bracelet in my hand snapped as it fell to the ground, the beads scattering everywhere, echoing the rhythm of my racing heart.
Later, someone said they saw Leo Shawn pulling Vivian Shaw into the car headed for the airport.
Vivian still carried her suitcase, and the two of them were laughing joyfully, saying they were about to fulfill their dream of traveling around the world.
All eyes in the crowded room were fixed on me—some filled with sympathy, others with ridicule, and some merely eager to watch the drama unfold.
I didn't shed a tear. I simply walked over to both sets of parents, bowed deeply, and announced the wedding was off, though the collaboration between the families would continue unaffected.
That day, I dismantled the pearls on the wedding dress all by myself, placing each one carefully into a velvet box.
The rain fell outside all through the night, and I thought some hearts are probably impossible to warm.
Five years—neither long nor short.
I started my own design company in Harbor City, where I met Yale Luke and later had Andy.
Andy is four years old now, with round, chubby cheeks and two little dimples when she smiles.
Every morning, he wraps his arms around my neck and says, 'Mama, let's be happy today too.' It's the softest, most tender bond I've ever known.
Yesterday afternoon, I took Andy to buy his favorite strawberry bread.
Just as we stepped out of the bakery, a familiar figure stopped me.
It was Leo Shawn.
He looked thinner than he did five years ago, with fine lines at the corners of his eyes, still holding the diamond ring from back then.
He knelt on one knee, his voice trembling with misguided tenderness: "Shirley, I've come to fulfill our wedding from five years ago."
I looked at him and suddenly felt a flicker of amusement, as if watching a stubborn child.
"I have no regrets now. From now on, I will cherish every day with you."
He said this as he reached out for my hand, but I took a step back to avoid him.
"Leo Shawn, you ran away from the wedding five years ago. Don't tell me you think I've been waiting for you all this time?"
My tone was calm, devoid of much emotion; after all, he was no longer someone in my heart.
He stood up, his eyes filled with helplessness, as if I were being unreasonable: "I know running away from the wedding back then was wrong."
"But Leo and Vivian had an agreement to give her an around-the-world wedding trip. One shouldn't have regrets in life."
"Now that I have no regrets, don't keep holding on to it."
Let's just go through with the wedding; don't let it affect the cooperation between our families.
In the end, what he cared about most was still the business.
I was too exhausted to argue with him, so I turned and tried to leave: "I will never marry you."
Andy was still holding bread in my arms, quietly asking, "Mother, who is this man?" I just wanted to take him home as quickly as possible.
But Leo Shawn grabbed my arm, his tone laced with displeasure: "Shirley, don't say things in anger."
"Who doesn't know you love me? If you won't marry me, then who else would you marry?"
"You've been by my side since you were little, no matter how many people pursued you, you never even looked at them."
"When Vivian and I were dating, you weren't with anyone else either."
"I proposed, you said yes right away. If you loved me that much, how could you refuse to marry me?"
I rolled my eyes; his self-awareness was as ridiculous as ever.
I wasn't dating back then because I was busy studying for the graduate entrance exam. When would I have had time for a relationship?
"I don't want to argue with you. Let go."
I struggled to shake off his hand, but he gripped even tighter.
"You're still the same—emotionally steady, and even when angry, all you do is roll your eyes."
"If you're upset about what happened between Vivian and me, I'm sorry. Isn't that enough?"
"You've always been sensible; I'm sure you can understand me."
"Stop joking around, or I'll really get angry."
"If this affects the alliance between our two families, can you take responsibility for it?"
He's still using the same tactics from years ago to pressure me.
I didn't argue with him anymore. Instead, I turned to the bodyguard behind me and said, "Take him away from here—don't scare my son."
The bodyguard immediately stepped forward, while Leo Shawn struggled and shouted, "Shirley Lincoln, I'm giving you an out, but you won't take it. There won't be another chance!"
Without looking back, I held Andy and got into the car.
The sunlight outside was just right, and Andy held up a strawberry bun to my lips, saying, "Mom, have a bite—it's sweet."
I took a bite—sweet to the heart. It turns out happiness is that simple.
I thought that after that day, I could finally draw a clear line between Leo Shawn and me.
Unexpectedly, the next day, when I took Andy to the hospital, I ran into him again.
Andy had eaten too much strawberry cake the night before and started vomiting early that morning.
I was so anxious that I didn't have time to put on makeup; wearing casual clothes, I rushed to the hospital, with Andy quietly whining, 'Mom, my stomach hurts,' in my arms.
While waiting in line at the registration desk, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind me.
"Shirley Lincoln, you were so fierce with your harsh words yesterday—why are you still following me today?"
As I turned, I saw Leo Shawn holding the hand of a little boy, with Vivian Shaw standing beside them.
Vivian wore a white dress, her face pale and frail, but her eyes held a challenging glint: "Shirley, if you still have feelings for Leo, just say it outright. Don't use this kind of game."
The little boy beside her, about three years old, held a water gun and was curiously staring at Andy.
Andy nestled closer into my embrace and whispered softly, "Mother, who are they?"
No sooner had his voice fallen than Leo Shawn's expression abruptly shifted.
"What did he call you? Mother?"
"You've had a child with someone else?"
He fixed his gaze firmly on Andy, as if searching for a flaw in his face.
Then he shook his head, as if trying to comfort himself: "No, this child doesn't resemble you at all—he definitely isn't yours."
"You love me so much; how could you possibly have a child with another man?"
Glancing at the little boy beside him, he suddenly laughed bitterly: "You know Vivian and I have a child—so you deliberately brought a child here to spite me, didn't you?"
"Shirley, stop it. I know you're jealous, but there's no need for this."
"The child of Vivian and me is named Jason Shawn, but rest assured, it won't affect your position."
"In the future, our child will be the heir to the group."
He spoke as if it were only natural, as if I was bound to marry him.
Leo turned to Vivian with a gentle tone: "Vivian, don't you agree?"
Vivian snuggled closer to Leo, her voice coquettish: "Yes, Jason and I will behave properly, and it absolutely won't affect Shirley's position."
"I just have a slight cold today, but Leo insisted on bringing me to the hospital because he was worried I wouldn't feel well."
She looked at me, the mockery in her eyes impossible to hide: "So Shirley didn't need to hire a child, yet she still chased us to the hospital. Not worth it."
"Five years ago, I only wanted to fulfill the promise with Leo. Now that it's done, I won't hold him back anymore."
As she spoke, her voice sank, her face etched with a sense of grievance.
Leo immediately wrapped his arm around her shoulders, saying with sympathy, "Sorry for putting you through this, Vivian."
"Don't worry. Even if I get married, I will never abandon you and your son."
"Jason is my child. I will never let you suffer any injustice."
He turned to look at me, his eyes filled with warning: "Shirley, you mustn't be jealous anymore, and you can't bully them, do you understand?"
I was growing impatient; Andy was still uncomfortable in my arms. I just wanted to take him to see a doctor as soon as possible.
"Don't block the way; my son is unwell."
I tried to walk past them, but Leo Shawn suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist.
I was caught off guard, and Andy suddenly slipped from my arms.
I quickly dropped to one knee and caught him with my body; Andy's arm scraped the ground and immediately turned red.
"Mom, it hurts..."
Andy's tears fell, and my heart ached unbearably. I picked him up and rushed to the emergency room.
But Leo Shawn caught up and stopped me. "Enough, Shirley Lincoln, stop pretending!"
"Are you just jealous because you saw Vivian and me taking care of the child?"
"Since when did you become so petty?"
I couldn't hold back any longer and slapped him hard across the face: "Get lost!"
The sharp slap echoed through the corridor, drawing everyone's attention.
Vivian Shaw immediately rushed over and grabbed my hand, her long nails digging into my skin: "Shirley, don't be angry. If you're angry, hit me instead—don't fight with Leo."
"Jason and I promise we won't disturb your life anymore. Please don't hate Leo."
The same old green tea act—I've been sick of it for five years.
I yanked my hand free and slapped her back with the other: "You get lost too!"
After I hit Vivian Shaw, she immediately dropped to her knees, crying with tears streaming like pear blossoms in the rain.
The water gun in Jason Shawn's hand suddenly sprayed at me, splashing water all over my face.
"You big bully, I'll kill you!"
He shouted as he sprayed water on me, while Andy, terrified, shrank into my arms.
I quickly shielded Andy's head, snatched Jason Shawn's water gun, and tossed it aside.
Vivian Shaw grabbed Jason Shawn, who immediately collapsed to the ground, crying loudly.
"Shirley, Leo and I truly love each other. Please don't hurt my child!"
Vivian Shaw clung to my pants, crying her heart out—anyone would think I had bullied her.
Leo Shawn pointed at me, his face flushed with anger. "Shirley Lincoln, I always thought you were composed and mature, but I never imagined you could be so petty!"
"You attacked my woman and child just because you were jealous?"
"Apologize to them!"
At that moment, my assistant rushed over holding the registration slip. Seeing the scene, his expression changed completely.
"Ms. Lincoln, are you okay? How is Andy?"
"Let's take Andy to see a doctor first."
I didn't waste any words on Leo Shawn and followed the assistant toward the emergency room.
Leo Shawn kept shouting from behind, "Shirley Lincoln, don't even think about holding the wedding if you don't apologize!"
I sneered coldly inside. Who even wants to hold a wedding with him?
What does my wedding to Yale Luke have to do with him?
The doctor said Andy only had acute gastroenteritis, prescribed some medicine, and told us to watch his diet.
I breathed a sigh of relief, sat down in a chair in the hallway holding Andy, and fed him warm water.
The phone suddenly kept ringing nonstop, messages coming from an unknown number.
"Shirley, apologize to Vivian and I will go through with marrying you; otherwise, don't even think about marrying into the Shawn family."
"I know you still love me. Stop throwing tantrums."
No doubt, it has to be Leo Shawn.
I immediately blocked that number and set all unknown numbers to be blocked as well.
Andy leaned against me and whispered, "Mom, that man is so annoying, and that woman is annoying too."
I stroked his head and said, "From now on, we won't pay attention to them, okay?"
Andy nodded, hugging my neck, and soon fell asleep.
The next day, I went to the bridal shop to try on the wedding dress Yale had custom made for me.
This wedding dress was designed by Yale Luke himself; he commissioned overseas artisans to sew every stitch, using the finest silk and diamonds, and it took a full five years to complete.
I stood before the mirror wearing the wedding dress; the woman in the mirror was adorned in a diamond-studded gown, crowned with a pearl tiara, like a queen.
The shop assistant praised beside me, "Miss Lincoln, this dress suits you perfectly. Mr. Luke truly put his heart into it."
I smiled and nodded, my heart full of happiness.
Just as I was about to have the clerk pack the wedding dress, the shop door suddenly swung open.
Leo Shawn held Vivian Shaw's hand as they walked in. When Vivian saw the wedding dress I was wearing, her eyes lit up.
Leo's gaze landed on me, a flash of astonishment in his eyes. He looked straight at me and said, 'You said you wouldn't marry me, yet here you are trying on a wedding dress. Playing a role, aren't you?'
I ignored him and asked the clerk to help me take off the wedding dress.
After changing, I stepped out, but they hadn't left yet.
Leo Shawn walked up to me, wearing a knowing expression. "I knew you still cared about me. This wedding dress may be expensive, but as long as you like it, that's what matters."
"When you marry into the Shawn family, you can't be so extravagant, understand?"
I glanced at him coldly. "It's not your money being spent, so you don't need to worry."
Leo Shawn was momentarily stunned, then relaxed. "I see—you put your heart into our wedding, so it's okay if it's a bit costly."
Vivian Shaw tugged at Leo Shawn's sleeve, her voice tinged with hurt. "Leo, I've never worn such a beautiful wedding dress before."
You said before that you'd give me the best wedding dress. I think this one looks beautiful. Can I try it on?
Her eyes were fixed intently on that wedding dress, brimming with jealousy.
Leo frowned slightly, looking a bit troubled.
Vivian began to act coquettishly again, her voice soft and teasing, "Leo, I just want to try it on, just take a look—is that okay?"
Leo ruffled her hair indulgently and said, "Alright, I promise."
He turned to the shop assistant and said, "Bring out that wedding dress and let Vivian try it on."
The clerk hesitated and looked at me. I shook my head, and the clerk didn't move.
Leo looked at me with displeasure. "Shirley, are you jealous again?"
"Vivian isn't marrying me. She just wants to try on the wedding dress to make up for her regrets."
"I'm just accompanying her to take some wedding photos. Can't you pick another wedding dress?"
I was so angry I laughed. How could someone be so selfish and foolish?
"Leo, this is my wedding dress, custom-made by my husband. If you want to try one, go buy your own."
"It's just a wedding dress. Is it really necessary for you to be so protective?"
Leo Shawn said impatiently, as if I were being petty.
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