Chapter 3
In the video, Aileen was wearing a gorgeous wedding dress that fit her perfectly, grinning and flashing a peace sign at the camera.
There was a staff member next to her, helping her adjust the dress.
Aileen's face was practically glowing with happiness.
The staff member couldn't help but gush, "Mrs. Matthews, you look gorgeous. This dress was made for you. If Mr. Matthews saw you right now, he'd probably fall head over heels all over again."
Aileen let out a little laugh.
She stuck her tongue out at the camera, playful as ever. "Thanks, but... honestly, I wish I could be Mrs. Matthews. Too bad someone won't give me the chance."
And right then, Samson called her.
I couldn't make out what Samson said, but Aileen's grin got even wider.
"I really like it. If only I could wear a dress this gorgeous when I'm a bride someday," she said.
She switched the call to speaker.
Samson's voice came through, sounding a little amused. "Someday, you'll get your wish."
After hearing that, I realized there was no point in canceling the wedding anymore.
If I were not the one he wanted to marry, then I would let him go after the person he truly loved.
*****
I holed up at home for two days.
Samson didn't call me, not even once.
Just when I thought he'd completely forgotten about me, he sent me a message.
It was a single line. [I had someone drop off the wedding gift at your place. When you've had enough, come back.]
When I said we were done, he just ignored me.
When I walked out with my suitcase, he didn't even bother to look at me.
Right then, I suddenly wanted to ask him what I was to him.
But I knew, even if I asked, I'd never get the answer I wanted.
He'd just say, "Charlotte, can you stop making a scene.
If I really made a scene, he'd give me a cold, distant look, saying, "Get lost!"
I didn't reply to him.
Right after, I booked tickets for my parents and myself to go abroad in three days.
It had been ages since our family took a trip together.
With some free time, it felt like the perfect chance for us to finally enjoy ourselves and relax.
My parents had no problem with it.
They totally backed me up.
I never saw it coming, but that night, Aileen gave me a call. "Miss Williams, where does Samson keep his personal clothes? I've searched everywhere and can't find them."
At her words, my heart froze.
Samson was obsessive about keeping things spotless.
He never let anyone into his home.
Even his best friends weren't allowed over.
But Aileen was always the exception.
She was the only one he'd actually lower himself to pamper.
He even let her into his home.
At that moment, the message Samson sent me earlier was like the biggest joke of all.
"If you're looking for something, go ask him yourself. He knows where everything is," I said.
"Samson's busy recording a new lullaby for me, so I don't want to interrupt him. Miss Williams, if you don't know, that's fine. I'll ask him myself later. Hope I didn't bother you," Aileen apologized, but honestly, it was all humble bragging.
Then she added, "Oh, and by the way, Samson put me in charge of the wedding stuff. If you have any ideas, just let me know—but not at night, alright? I don't sleep well, and... wouldn't want to disturb Samson either."
Hearing her half-hearted words, I forced a smile.
I clenched my phone, struggling to pull off a smile. "Just do whatever you like."
Then I hung up.
The call ended, and my phone returned to the lock screen.
All my devices—my phone, laptop, tablet—every screen that could have a wallpaper was set to the same photo.
It was always a picture of Samson at eighteen, playing basketball on the court, looking so full of life and confidence.
That day was the only time I ever brought him water, and he didn't turn me away.
And he even thanked me with a smile.
I didn't keep anything of his anymore.
I wiped every trace of him from my phone and swapped out every wallpaper for photos of myself.
And from now on, I would never love Samson again.
From here on out, the only person I would love was myself.
*****
The night before the wedding, Samson sent me another message: [Be at the hotel on time tomorrow. Don't be late.]
He didn't like people who weren't punctual.
And he hated being stood up even more.
One time, we planned to hit the museum together.
But on the day, I got really sick—high fever, and I couldn't go.
He cut me off and deleted me from his contacts, no explanation, nothing.
He completely shut me out.
I spent a whole month trying to win him back.
It took all that before he finally added me back as a friend.
Back then, he said coldly, "I can't stand people who bail on me, Charlotte. You're no exception."
Thinking back to how I used to shamelessly chase after him, I couldn't help but let out a laugh.