I booked myself a plane ticket for the day of the wedding.
Then, I turned and left for the hotel.
That night, Virginia sent me a message.
"Hugh will be standing in for you at the wedding after all. You hurt him, and it won’t look good for the ceremony. Asking you to apologize was just a temporary measure—it was all for show. Don’t overthink it.
As for my parents, they spoke without thinking. After the wedding, I’ll make them apologize to you.
Rest well. I have a surprise planned for you. When the wedding day comes, I know you’ll love it."
But I knew—this performance wasn’t for Hugh.
It was for me.
For five years, she had played the role of a devoted wife.
Now, it was time for the final act.
I didn’t go home for the next two days.
Virginia didn’t return either, too busy making the wedding arrangements.
She handled everything herself.
The morning of the wedding, I called her.
She answered distractedly, speaking to someone else in the background, barely acknowledging me.
"Virginia, are you sure about transferring half of the company’s shares to Mr. Wheeler? He’s not part of the Stuart family. Isn’t that too risky?"