“Curtis, from where did you learn of this medication?” Jeremy cut him off in a solemn tone. “Who's taking it?”
Curtis recalled the list of medications he sent to Jeremy a while ago which he didn't receive a reply on. Now that the latter was questioning him in a strange tone, the concerned Curtis asked, “Is there anything wrong with them?”
“Tell me who's taking them first? Is it Rayna?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
Jeremy continued, “Tell her to get rid of them. Those medications have been confirmed five years ago to contain substances that are harmful to the mother and her fetus. That's why they have long been banned internationally. I don't know where she had gotten them from, but long-term use will cause the fetus to die in the mother's womb.”
“Are you sure it's a banned drug?” Curtis' expression had grown extremely sullen. “She received the drugs from the hospital. If there's something wrong with them, there's no way the hospital would have dispensed it to her.”
Jeremy reminded him, “Curtis, there are all sorts of characters in a hospital. Since you don't work there, how would you know they give the same drugs to all pregnant mothers?”
The gravity of the situation immediately dawned upon Curtis, after which, he strode out of the VIP lounge with a scowl on his face and a growing sense of dread.
Meanwhile, Rayna had changed into her bridal gown. With Kristie and Roxanne escorting her, she entered the car and headed for the church.
Despite feeling the urge to say something, neither Roxanne nor Kristie dared to do so.
Their car sped through the streets and arrived at St. Paterlica's Church in half an hour.
Outside the church, the press had already set up camp on both sides of the red carpet in an orderly manner. With their cameras aimed at Rayna, they started clicking furiously the moment she alighted from the car, hoping to get the best shot of the bride.
Linda, who had arrived ahead of time, came up to receive her daughter.
As she stared at Rayna in her wedding gown, it finally dawned upon her that her daughter was all grown up and about to get married. “I'm sorry that I failed to take good care of you.”
“Mom.” Rayna gave her a look of resignation. “Can you not say such things on my wedding day?”
Linda nodded. “Fine, fine. I'll stop.”
Holding Linda's hands, Rayna walked on the red carpet in the direction of the church.
As she approached the building, anxiousness began to descend upon her previously calm mind, causing her to feel a little lost.
It's my wedding day today. Unlike in the past when I did it to escape something, I'm marrying a man who loves and cherishes me. However, why does my heart feel empty still?
Upon looking up, Rayna realized that she had entered the church, where the chairs on both sides of the aisle were filled with friends and business partners. Even Sandy and Alfred were in attendance.
When Alfred's eyes met Rayna's, he flashed a gentle smile at her. Contained within it was a sense of warmth and a hint of regret.
Nevertheless, he knew there was nothing he could do about her not becoming his granddaughter-in-law.
It wasn't until Rayna didn't see Curtis that she let out a discreet sigh of relief. Locking gazes with Alfred, she returned his smile before allowing herself to be led up to the altar by Linda.
There, Jefferson was dressed in a white suit and looked dashing in it.
As he watched on with an affectionate look in his eyes, all he could see was Rayna.
Thereafter, Linda solemnly placed Rayna's hand in his palm. “Her dad and I divorced a long time ago. Now that she's getting married, only I can give away the bride. I hereby place her in your care and hope that you will cherish her always.”
“I definitely will.” Jefferson gave Rayna a longing look. “She is all I ever wanted.”
And now, we're finally getting married.
After giving her daughter away, the tearful Linda gradually backed away from the altar.
Jefferson subsequently squeezed Rayna's hand. “You're beautiful, Belle.”
“I know.” Pursing her lips into a smile, Rayna reminded him, “The guests are looking, so don't try anything funny.”
“Okay.”
Both of them got into place while holding each other's hands.
With that, the pastor, standing before them, began to officiate the wedding.
Finally, he turned to look at Jefferson, “Mr. Jefferson Hamilton, are you willing to take Ms. Rayna Garland as your lawfully wedded wife? To love and cherish her, in sickness and in health.”
“I do,” Jefferson replied in a gentle yet firm tone while holding the hand of the woman he loved.
After that, the pastor turned toward Rayna. “Ms. Rayna Garland...”
Watching the couple at the altar and listening to the pastor's words, Alfred couldn't help but let out a deep sigh. “How did Curtis let such a wonderful girl slip through his hands?”
“Dad, stop sighing.” Sandy added, “If it isn't meant to be between the two of them, there's no point in forcing the matter.”
Deep down, she still resented Jefferson and had no intention of seeing him.
If it wasn't because she was friends with Linda and Alfred insisted on attending the wedding, she would definitely not have shown up.
Alfred let out an exasperated snort. “Curtis is just too reserved for his own good. Once Jefferson learned of their breakup, he tried his very best to win her back. As for Curtis, he ended up pushing her into the arms of his rival.”
The problem with this grandson of mine is that he's too aloof and never shows concern for anything that doesn't benefit him. When it comes to matters of the heart, being too restrained will get him nothing.
Thinking of Curtis' character elicited another deep sigh from Alfred. “Is he in the office again?”
“His assistant mentioned that he's on an overseas business trip.”
“Nonsense, he must be trying to avoid the wedding!” Alfred spoke candidly. “He's such a coward to go into hiding just because his ex-fiancée is marrying someone else!”
Sandy defended Curtis, “Dad, how can you say that about your own grandson? What if he really has something important to do?”
“Do you think I don't know what he's up to after spending thirty years with him?” The more he looked at the wedding couple at the altar, the angrier he became. “If he has any guts, he would be crashing this wedding right now!”
Sandy was stumped for words.
Back at the altar, the pastor was already asking Rayna, “Are you willing to take Mr. Jefferson Hamilton as your lawfully wedded husband?”
The guests fell silent as they waited with bated breath.
Closing her eyes to calm herself down, Rayna broke into a slight smile as she spoke. “I—”
“She isn't willing!” A deep male voice pierces through the church to cut Rayna off.
Stunned, the curious guests turned toward the entrance in unison, only to be greeted by the appearance of a towering figure.
Recognizing the familiar voice, Alfred was filled with elation when he saw who it was. “He really did come to win her back!”
“Dad, you had better not get ahead of yourself,” Sandy whispered. “The wedding is being broadcasted live. This scene of him disrupting it will soon go viral!”
With that, she got to her feet intending to stop it.
However, Alfred quickly stopped her. “Just think about it. Your son is thirty years old, not twenty anymore.”
After struggling with herself, Sandy finally sat back down.
As for Rayna, she instantly knew who it was the moment she was interrupted. Jolted by the turn of events, she tightened her grip on Jefferson's hand without turning around.
Striding down the aisle and up to the altar, Curtis was relieved that the ceremony wasn't over yet.
Thank goodness I made it.
He ascended the altar and grabbed Rayna's hand. “Rayna, come with me.”
Gasp!
All the guests were stunned.
Mr. Faymon is really aggressive! Not only did he crash the wedding but also demanded that the bride leave with him without any regard for the groom?
One of the guests muttered, “This is the first time I have witnessed someone crashing a wedding. On top of that, Mr. Faymon is the one doing so.”
“Me too.”
Even the cameraman filming the live telecast was shocked by the scene.
Staring blankly at the three persons at the altar, he didn't know whether to turn off the camera or continue filming.
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