I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 221

After finishing the champagne toasts, Sophie slipped out of her crimson evening gown and changed into her final outfit for seeing the guests off: a Vintage Velvet High-Slit Gown. The emerald-green fabric, embroidered with vibrant, blooming florals, radiated an elegant yet festive charm.

Gavin also swapped his white tuxedo jacket for a sleek black one, standing proudly by Sophie's side in the grand foyer to bid farewell to the departing crowds.

"Are your feet killing you? Lean on me for a bit," Gavin murmured, gently pulling her closer by the arm linked through his.

Sophie was wearing emerald stilettos that perfectly matched her gown. It was her third pair of towering heels for the day, and standing for hours on end was taking its toll.

"People are going to laugh at us," she whispered back, nudging him playfully.

After waving off the latest group of guests, Sophie glanced up at him with a soft smile. "If you can't even handle standing for a few hours, how are we going to survive? My mom always said marriage is a long, difficult road..."

"...Which is why we have to walk it together," Gavin finished without missing a beat.

They shared a loving smile, waving goodbye to the final stragglers before turning to head back into the hotel lobby.

From a distance, Luke stood frozen, silently watching the elegant sway of Sophie's emerald silhouette as she walked away. It was the first time he had ever seen her wear something like that; the silk hugged her curves flawlessly, stopping just below the knee to reveal her long, slender legs.

In a matter of seconds, she and Gavin rounded the corner of the grand entrance and vanished from his sight.

Lowering his gaze, Luke slowly dug a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. He had barely flicked his lighter when Gwen walked out of the double doors and marched straight toward him.

"Here. For you," Gwen said, shoving a lavish box of wedding favors into his hands.

When he didn't immediately reach for it, she added, "Sophie told me to give it to you."

"She saw me?" Luke finally extinguished the flame and took the box.

"Just take the candy. She said she'll consider this your official blessing."

Luke remained silent.

When it came to men who used silence as a weapon, Gwen had absolutely zero patience. Being handsome didn't mean a thing if a guy just stood around radiating dark, brooding energy without uttering a single word. Being with someone like him would drive any sane woman insane.

"Sophie is incredibly happy now. Her father-in-law is a high school principal, her mother-in-law is a CEO, and her husband is a brilliant scientist. Brains, wealth, and a family that adores her—she has everything. Honestly, whether you give her your blessing or not doesn't matter. You weren't even invited. Showing up like this is highly inappropriate."

She took a deep breath, filling her lungs, but before she could open her mouth, Luke simply turned on his heel and walked away.

Watching his retreating figure, Gwen exhaled sharply, deflating the argument she had geared up for.

What a total weirdo.

A hateful person is often pitiful, and there was definitely something pathetic about the way he walked away, but he had brought every ounce of this misery upon himself. Gwen shrugged and headed back into the venue.

Luke had booked a flight for 5:30 PM, but with hours to kill and nowhere else to go, he headed straight to the airport, settling into a coffee shop to burn through the time.

He had actually arrived the day before, booking a room at the exact same hotel he used to stay at, right down the street from Sophie's apartment.

He had shown up early this morning, beating even the groom's motorcade.

Standing in the stairwell of the building directly across from hers, he had looked out from the third-floor window, giving him a perfect view of her front door.

He had watched the fleet of wedding cars roll in. He watched Gavin step out, holding a massive bouquet of roses, marching into the building flanked by his groomsmen. And he watched Gavin emerge moments later, carrying Sophie in her snow-white gown in his arms.