Chapter 8
Inside the cabin, there was hot water, a first-aid kit, and a bowl of warm porridge. The water was the perfect temperature, and the porridge looked creamy and rich.
I stared at the bowl for a moment, caught off guard.
Jackson said, "The wedding's a long haul. I thought someone might need something to keep their energy up."
But when he opened the first-aid kit, right on top was the exact brand of stomach medicine I always used.
I looked up at him.
Jackson avoided my gaze and passed me the meds and some water.
"Take the medicine first. Save the oatmeal for later," he said.
He told the staff to step out.
The cabin fell silent, with only the sound of the sea lapping against the hull.
I took the medicine, my fingers so tense.
Back in the waiting area, I didn't cry. Not even when I saw Zackary walk away with Lexie.
But now, all Jackson did was hand me the medicine, and suddenly my eyes started to well up.
I lowered my head and swallowed the pill.
Jackson didn't press me. He dimmed half the lights and laid a blanket across my knees.
Once the bitterness of the pill faded, I asked quietly, "Aren't you going to ask me?"
Jackson sat across from me, still holding the newly updated boarding pass.
"Ask what?" he said.
"Ask why I was left behind," I said.
He paused for a moment, then said, "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."
I cradled the cup of hot water, stared at him for a long time, then let out a small, sad smile.
My smile was bitter and strained.
"So, your intended didn't show up either?" I asked.
Jackson stayed silent.
I cradled the cup and kept joking, "So, is your bride vacancy still open?"
The cabin fell silent for a moment.
Jackson stared at me, and for the first time, his expression froze, like he was caught off guard.
I suddenly felt foolish and looked away.
"Forget it. I was joking," I said.
Right after I said that, Jackson shot to his feet, his knee banging the table and making the cup wobble.
"Wait for me," he said.
With that, he turned and left.
I thought I'd scared him off.
But less than two minutes later, he came back, two staff members following behind, carrying a wedding dress.
The dress was in a protective bag, its fabric embroidered with delicate silver waves. It wasn't the one my mother left me, but it was just as beautiful.
The staff explained that this was the wedding dress originally prepared for the Wilson family's yacht. The size had already been altered once, and it just needed a quick adjustment at the waist to fit.
Jackson stood in the doorway, his breathing still a little uneven, his ears slowly turning red.
"I didn't just buy it," he said.
He quickly added, "I mean, there's still time."
I stared at the wedding dress, completely speechless.
Jackson stood in the doorway, his hand still resting on the doorframe.
I didn't press him. I just glanced down at the simple backup dress I was wearing.
Lexie walked away in my mother's wedding dress.
Zackary took the boat I'd spent three years getting ready.
And right then, Jackson showed up with another wedding dress, telling me there was still time.
The boat gave a gentle lurch.
Someone outside called out, "Mr. Wilson, our paths are crossing. The third wedding boat is just ahead."
I froze.
Jackson heard it too and looked at me. "Should we avoid them?"
I shook my head. "No need."
After changing into my wedding dress, I stepped out of the cabin.
The sea fog had lifted a little. Not far ahead, the third wedding boat was slowly approaching.
A pale blue ribbon fluttered in the wind.
That was the color I personally tied on.
Zackary stood at the bow, with Lexie leaning against him, holding onto his arm. Her wedding dress, embroidered with ocean waves, was especially dazzling in the morning light.
Jackson stood beside me, following my gaze.
"Should we go inside?" he asked.
"No need," I replied.
The two boats drifted closer and closer.
The wind picked up, and I instinctively reached up to steady my veil.
Across the bow of the other boat, Zackary suddenly looked up, his eyes locking onto me.
Through the haze of morning mist and sea breeze, I saw him pause, caught off guard.
For a heartbeat, it felt like he might recognize me.
After all, he'd known me for years—he knew all the little things I did when I was nervous, and he knew that whenever I stood in the wind, I'd always reach up to steady my veil.
The two boats were less than 30 feet apart.
If he lingered just a moment longer
"Zackary," Lexie suddenly called out to him in a gentle voice.
Zackary's gaze lingered on me, unable to look away.
Lexie grabbed his sleeve and whispered, "Do you think people will think I stole Jenny's place?"
Zackary's expression shifted, and he finally looked down at her.
Lexie's eyes were red, and she swayed a little.
"I can't breathe," she said.
As soon as she said that, Zackary instinctively reached out to steady her.
His hand slipped off the railing, and his gaze finally left me.
Just then, the sea breeze suddenly picked up.
The wind whipped up, tugging at the silver pendant around my neck. The clasp loosened, and it slipped away.
I reached out, desperate to catch it, but my fingers only brushed the cold edge of the metal.
In the next second, it dropped into the sea, a glint of silver, gone in a heartbeat, swallowed by the waves.
I stood frozen, unable to move.
Someone on the third wedding boat called out, "Oh no, the bride dropped something!"
Zackary seemed to hear it too, and his gaze instinctively flicked back in my direction.
This time, he noticed my hand, still suspended in midair.
Years ago, on the day we made things official, he took my hand and fastened that pendant around my neck.
He promised that every year, when the lighthouse lit up, he'd be there with me to watch the sea.
Zackary's brows slowly furrowed, his lips moving like he wanted to say something.
My heart clenched.
But in the next moment, Lexie suddenly doubled over, her whole body collapsing forward.
Zackary didn't even hesitate; he instantly turned and caught her in his arms.
"Lexie!" Zackary called out.
The others on the boat hurried over.
"Is it happening again?"
"Get the medicine."
"Zackary, don't worry about them right now. Lexie's face is pale."