The Wedding That Never Was Chapter 2

The photo showed me and Adrian eating at a restaurant last month.

My face was crystal clear, while Adrian was just a blurry profile.

Jessica was cursing out the paparazzi from that gossip rag, saying they had no rules.

Before I could process it, Adrian walked out of the bedroom. He pulled out his encrypted phone and dialed a number.

His voice was cold. “Tell Star Flash Magazine to take the photos down.”

He hung up, grabbed his bag of clothes, and left.

The door clicked shut, and the room instantly fell silent.

I sat there, stunned, feeling like a hole had been punched through my chest.

I knew that with Adrian’s status and power, no one would dare report on that photo again.

But for a moment just now, I had wanted to ask him if we could just go public.

After all, next month... was the date he promised to fulfill our agreement.

I picked up the tablet and looked at it again. I quickly noticed a problem, and my heart sank.

That day, Adrian and I had gone to a private club.

The owner was a friend I’d known for years. There was no way a paparazzo could have snuck in.

There was only one other person there that day—my sister, Chloe, who had clamored to meet her "brother-in-law" and insisted on tagging along.

I immediately called her.

“Chloe, did you take that photo and sell it to the magazine?”

The background noise on the other end was loud, but I could still hear the indifferent tone in Chloe’s voice.

“Yeah, I did it. Who told you not to lend money to my boyfriend for his startup? I had to find a way to make money myself!”

I tried my best to suppress my anger. “Chloe, that man is just using you. He doesn't love you...”

“Adrian Hayes doesn't love you either, sis.”

Click.

Chloe hung up on me.

My body went rigid. Her last sentence pierced right through my heart.

I closed my eyes, took out my pill bottle, and hurriedly swallowed a few tablets.

Lying in bed, I thought back to ten years ago.

When Adrian and I confirmed our relationship, he said we would get married when I turned thirty.

That sentence was what supported me through these long ten years.

But now, did that promise still count?

Two days later, my world tour officially kicked off.

Fans from all over the world gathered at the venue.

I gave my all in every concert. People said my voice wove magnificent dreams for everyone.

As soon as the first leg of the tour ended, I received an invitation for a charity performance.

As if by fate, the location for the first show was chosen to be the San Diego Naval Base.

Adrian’s base.

Since the photo incident, I hadn't seen him for over half a month.

He hadn't replied to a single text I sent.

Maybe he was on a mission.

That was how I comforted myself every time.

On the day of the charity gig, I finally returned to San Diego. But as soon as I got home, I received a phone call.

It was my mother, whom I hadn't contacted in over a year.

“Ilara, you just finished a concert, so you must have made a lot of money! Send me some, now!”

Accompanying her rude command was the distinct sound of slot machines.

My breath hitched, feeling like I was being choked.

“Are you gambling again?” Without waiting for her answer, I gripped the phone tighter. “Mom, I told you. I will only give you money if you quit gambling.”

I hung up the phone, hardening my heart.

After sitting quietly for a moment, I got up and walked to the window, looking at the naval base across the street.

The desire to see Adrian peaked at that moment.

So, I changed into low-profile clothes, put on a hat and sunglasses, and went to the base.

I was carrying a box of top-tier chocolates I had asked a friend to bring back from Italy.

In Europe, it’s popular for couples to give chocolates, and I had prepared this gift specifically for Adrian.

The sentry at the gate knew me and knew about my relationship with Adrian, so he took me directly to the training grounds.

Soon, I saw Adrian surrounded by a crowd.

He looked like he had just finished a round of high-intensity training. His army-green T-shirt was soaked with sweat.

I was about to step forward when a petite figure walked up to Adrian faster than I could.

The girl was wearing a smart business suit. It was the base’s civilian liaison officer, Sarah Jenkins.

She stood on her tiptoes, wiping Adrian’s sweat with a towel, smiling radiantly. “Hard work, Colonel!”

The group of soldiers around them immediately erupted in raucous teasing.

“As expected, the future Mrs. Hayes knows how to take care of our commander best!”