Chapter 3

I sighed and put away all the unfinished invitations.

Originally, we had agreed to spend the weekend doing nothing but writing invitations.

I didn't expect an emergency to come up. He left, and I couldn't continue writing either.

As for whether we would write them in the future, I wasn't sure.

The invitation with "Natalie" written as the bride's name, I packed separately.

I don't know why I did that. Such an eyesore should have been thrown away.

After tidying up, I went back to my parents' home.

My mom was surprised to see me when she opened the door: "Why are you suddenly back?"

Then she looked behind me expectantly.

I knew who she was looking for and smiled, "Lucas is busy with work. I came back alone."

"About to get married and still so busy all the time."

Although she sounded disapproving, the smile on my mom's face was undeniable.

She was very satisfied with Lucas.

Or rather, she was very satisfied now.

Initially, she was the one most opposed to us being together.

She said, "Children from unhappy families often have character flaws. And with his family being so chaotic, you'll have a lot to deal with in the future."

But I didn't care.

I didn't care that his parents had divorced early due to a bad relationship, nor did I care that his dad often caused trouble when drunk and had a bad reputation.

In my eyes, Lucas would always be that young hero who would stand up for me when I was in danger.

A hero who belonged only to me.

During the years I was away, Lucas worked hard to improve himself. He got a good and respectable job, and even bought a house and a car with his own efforts.

In my parents' eyes, he became someone worthy of entrusting their daughter to.

So my mom no longer opposed our relationship. She even urged us to get married soon.

"You left for abroad right after college graduation. It's been six years since you came back. You're already thirty now. If you don't get married soon, you'll become an old maid."

I had just returned not long ago when I heard this. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

I told Lucas about it as a joke.

But he took it seriously. The next day, he went to buy a ring and proposed to me.

In front of everyone, including Natalie.

Lucas knelt on one knee: "Hazel, will you marry me?"

I was in tears, nodding and saying "I do."

As he put the ring on my finger, I caught a glimpse of Natalie from the corner of my eye. She was in tears too.

Seeming to notice my gaze, she paused for a moment, then turned and left.

She left quite noisily, catching Lucas's attention.

He seemed to want to go after her. I instinctively held him back.

Lucas suddenly came to his senses and quickly explained, "I must have seen wrong."

I nodded, not saying anything.

But the panic I felt at that moment was real.