Chapter 4

###Chapter 4

The pain in my lower abdomen became so severe that I could barely walk.

When Jerome saw blood running down my legs, his expression finally changed.

But at that exact moment, Giselle stumbled into his arms. "Brother, I think I'm suffering from heatstroke."

At the same time, my phone vibrated. She had sent me a message. [Bet you on who my brother will take care of.]

I was in too much pain to even bother with her. I could only grab Jerome's arm, and pleaded, "Take me to the emergency room first."

However, Giselle wrapped her arms around his waist and began crying.

Jerome hesitated for only a few seconds before carrying her to the car.

"Celine, you go to the hospital first. I'll take Giselle home, then I'll come find you."

That day, I lost my baby alone in the hospital. The next day, Jerome knelt beside my hospital bed for an entire day and night.

He said he was sorry. He swore that if he had known I was pregnant, he never would have left me behind.

Seeing the bruises on his knees, my heart softened.

It was only today that I finally understood.

Some choices wouldn't change, no matter how many times you were given the chance to start over.

I reached up and removed my veil.

Jerome's expression darkened. "Celine, what are you doing?"

"I'm not marrying you." I shrugged.

The entire banquet hall erupted.

Sneering, my mother-in-law snarled, "Who do you think you are? Once you walk out that door, don't come crawling back to us!"

Giselle also put on an innocent expression and tried to persuade me. "Sis, you and my brother have been together for ten years. Don't make an impulsive decision because of me."

Jerome remained where he was. He didn't come after me. "Celine, I'm warning you one last time. If you walk out today, don't expect me to come running after you and coax you back."

My footsteps stopped for a moment. His expression visibly softened, probably because he thought I would lower my head like I always had before.

Instead, I slipped off my wedding ring and placed it on the table. "Don't worry. You won't have to coax me this time."

I took Mom's hand and walked away.

It wasn't until we had left the banquet hall that Mom finally asked me with red-rimmed eyes, "Have you made up your mind?"

I looked at the slap mark on her face and the staff uniform she had been forced to wear.

Then I nodded firmly. "Yes. I have."

Mom tightened her grip on my hand. "Then Mom will go with you."

Behind us came my mother-in-law's furious screams and curses.

I didn't look back. But just as we stepped outside the hotel, Jerome came running after us. He grabbed the back of my wedding dress.

"Celine, come back with me."

I kept walking and ignored him.

He gritted his teeth. "If you walk away today, then our ten years together are over for good!"

I turned around and looked at him. "That's exactly what I want."

I suddenly stepped forward.

Rip!

The wedding dress tore down the back. I simply ripped off the torn section of the skirt and casually tossed it into the trash can outside the hotel.

A few hours ago, they had hung trash cans around my mother. Now, I was giving this wedding right back to them.

Once we were in the car, Mom took a tissue and gently wiped away my tears.

"Stop crying. If this marriage isn't happening, then it isn't happening. Your mother can still afford to take care of you."

I sniffled. "Mom, you really are the best."

Mom finally smiled. "Once things settle down, let's go somewhere in the south for a while. We can soak up some sunshine and look at the sea. Didn't you always want to raise a dog? I finally agree this time."

"Really?" My eyes widened.

"Really." She nodded.

I had just started smiling when Mom's voice suddenly grew softer.

"When the time comes, we can..." Her words abruptly stopped.

The tissue slipped silently from her hand. "Mom?"

I turned toward her. She had suddenly gone limp and collapsed against me.

My mind went blank. I immediately turned the car around and rushed to the hospital.

The test results came back quickly.

The doctor's expression was grave. "She suffered severe trauma, which caused intracranial bleeding. She needs surgery immediately."

My fingers trembled as I signed the surgical consent form. "Doctor, please. Save her..."

My mother was rushed into the operating room.

It wasn't until the doors closed behind her that I noticed what she was still wearing. The staff uniform she had been forced to change into at my wedding. And I was still wearing the wedding dress Jerome had torn apart.

Suddenly, my mother's phone rang. My own phone had been smashed by Jerome at the wedding.

The caller ID read showed "Son-in-law."

As soon as I answered, Jerome's impatient voice came through.

"I finally found you. Giselle wants to eat a cake you made yourself. The previous nanny could never get the taste right."

"My mother is suffering from intracranial bleeding. She's in surgery right now," I replied blankly.

The line fell silent for two seconds. Then Jerome's voice turned cold. "Celine, you never used to lie about something like this involving an elder."

My heart went completely cold.

"I can overlook the fact that you walked out of our wedding. I'll give you ten minutes. Come back."

After saying that, the call ended abruptly.

I stared at the red light above the operating room. Then I suddenly remembered the pocket watch my father had left me. It was still at the Herrera residence.

I had planned to move there after the wedding, so I had already sent some of my clothes and belongings ahead.

But now, there would be no wedding. And anything that belonged to me should be taken back.

After learning that Mom's surgery would take several more hours, I left my contact information with the hospital and stood up.

Since Jerome insisted that I come back... Then I would go back and retrieve the last thing my father had left me.