Waiting for the rights one novel

Chapter 72 At the hotel , my brother went to handle our parents while Gerald led me to the bridal suite for my makeup .

Otherwise , if my mother saw how badly injured I was , shed be devastated .

On such a joyous day , I didnt want her to feel even a trace of sadness .

As the makeup artist worked on me , she chatted lightheartedly , her tone full of admiration .

Miss Stanton , youre such a lucky bride .

Ive heard the Hoffmans have been planning this wedding for months , just to make it absolutely spectacular for you .

% I lowered my gaze to the wedding dress draped over me , the intricate embroidery shimmering under the soft glow of the vanity lights .

It was even more exquisite than the one I had originally customized .

A thought crept into my mind had Gerald truly been preparing for this wedding all along ? % My suspicions only deepened when Gerald knocked gently on the door , stepping inside with a small velvet box in his hands .

When he opened it , revealing a pair of elegant satin wedding gloves , my chest tightened .

% His gaze softened as he said , Arabelle , wear these later so your mother wont notice your injury .

The consideration in his voice , the warmth in his eyes it stirred something deep within me .

Once everything was ready , I walked toward Gerald , my steps perfectly aligned with the rhythm of the wedding march .

As the officiant posed the fateful question , I didnt hesitate .

I do , I answered , my voice steady and clear./ It was the first time I had gone against my familys wishes when I chose Jonah .

I had always believed that , having been raised by my parents , my judgment wouldnt be so poor .

Yet , reality had crushed that illusion I had been utterly blind .

For six years , I had loved Jonah with everything I had , only to be left with nothing but pain and scars .

A real , physical scar./ The doctor had already warned me that even after my hand healed , a mark would remain .

But I accepted it without complaint it was the price I paid for stubbornly chasing after a love that had never truly existed .

I should have seen the signs earlier .

Jonah had always refused to visit my parents , brushing off every invitation with vague excuses .

My father had disliked him from the start and my mother had voiced her concerns time and again .

Gerald , on the other hand , had done the opposite .

He had gone out of his way to visit my home , playing chess with my father , chatting with my mother and always treating them with the utmost respect .

Despite his feelings for me , he had never crossed any boundaries or pressured me .

Perhaps , if I had paid more attention to the details , I would have seen the difference sooner./ As we exchanged rings , Geralds gaze never wavered .

In his eyes , there was only me .

A man who cherished me so deeply someone who put me first even when I never gave him the same consideration- was someone worth spending a lifetime with .

Even if love was absent , trust and respect remained and I believed in my parents judgment .

Because of my injured hand , some of the planned wedding games were canceled .

But even so , this grand ceremony was no less extravagant than Jonahs wedding .

Once the wedding concluded , my parents didnt ask why I suddenly had a change of heart .

Instead , they sent me off with Gerald , their only request being that I cherish him .

The moment my parents left , Gerald wasted no time .

He took me straight to the hospital , where the doctor performed a thorough examination and presented several options for scar removal .

% Throughout the process , Geralds expression remained grim , his fists clenched as he listened to the doctors words .

My brother , who had just returned from escorting our parents home , looked even angrier .

I reached out and gently smoothed out the furrow between my brothers brows , then did the same to Gerald .

Didnt the doctor say theyll do their best to remove the scar ? Its just a mark .

Everyone has them and its not even on my face .

Can you two stop looking so worried ? I tried to sound lighthearted , not wanting them to dwell on it .

But my brother had already looked into everything .

Meanwhile , Jonahs wedding had spiraled into chaos .

His calls had started hours ago , one after another , each more frantic than the last .

% I didnt answer a single one .

When he failed to reach me , he turned to my brother .

!! My brother glanced at his phone .

A second later , his expression darkened and his grip on the device tightened before he suddenly exploded .

% * Jonah , you son of a bitch ! Who gave you the guts to stab my sister ? His voice was a furious roar , shaking the quiet hospital room .