That evening, Willard sent me a voice message. "Cynthia, stop throwing a tantrum. I'm out here working hard every day, only to come home to your cold shoulder. This really hurts me."
"We're about to become family. I hope you can understand."
His voice sounded slightly slurred and he kept rambling on afterward, but I didn't want to listen anymore.
He was the hardest-working, the one most in need of understanding. So, I'd make him happy by granting his wish.
The day before the wedding, Willard probably couldn't hold it in any longer and finally called me. "Cynthia, have you confirmed all the procedures before and after the wedding? Tomorrow we'll go to the City Hall first, then to the wedding venue. You know the exact schedule, right?"
I nodded in agreement while stuffing the last item into my suitcase. "Yes, I know everything."
Willard looked visibly relaxed. "Good, that's good. I'll pick you up tomorrow."
The next day, I changed into a simple white shirt instead of the $800 wedding dress he thought was too expensive.
A car horn blared downstairs and my phone buzzed simultaneously.
Willard's voice sounded urgent. "Cynthia, Jolene is having some trouble with her move, so I need to go help her and I won't have time to pick you up."
"Just take a taxi to the City Hall first. It's just for the marriage certificate, anyway. I'll head over later."
I calmly replied, "Okay."
That man paused, as if he sensed something was off. "You're … not upset, are you?"
"No, you go ahead."
After that, he hung up and let out a sigh of relief. He turned to Jolene in the passenger seat. "All set. Let's finish moving your stuff first."
Jolene pouted, her face full of grievances. "I'm sorry, Willard, it's all my fault for delaying you getting married."
Willard reached out and ruffled her hair. "Silly girl, your matters are more important than anything else."
Yet deep down, a vague unease lingered. My calmness just then felt unusually strange.
Willard thought inwardly, "Forget it, maybe he's figured it out and knows I have feelings for her. I'll make it up to her after we get married."
Outside City Hall, all the relatives and friends had arrived, but neither the bride nor any of her family members showed up.
Willard arrived late with Jolene and his heart sank at the sight. "How could this happen. Did Cynthia get lost or forget?"