Separate Weddings, Separate Lives novel Chapter 9

Late that night, Louisa received a text. "Are you still up for tomorrow's wedding?"

She looked at Flora sleeping beside her and replied, "I'll send you the address. Come pick up my grandma and me tomorrow. If you want to back out, don't show up."

"See you tomorrow, my bride!"

Louisa stared at the message, her chest tightening.

She was going to be a bride, too. It was just that the man she was about to marry was an online acquaintance.

She wasn't driven mad by heartbreak. She just didn't want Flora to be disappointed or worried. Besides, even if they had never met face to face, they had known each other for ten years.

How many decades did a person get in a lifetime? If someone was willing to give her ten full years, that was enough for her to trust him.

Thaddeus' call came through at midnight. Afraid of waking Flora, Louisa stepped outside to answer it. "Mr. Cromwell, is there anything I can do for you?"

On the other end, Thaddeus rubbed his temples. Lately, it felt like this was all she ever said to him.

"Why aren't you home?"

He didn't know what had gotten into him. He felt restless and uneasy, so he had driven back to the place they had lived in together for over six years. The bedroom was neat, the bed untouched, and she wasn't there.

Louisa could tell where he was calling from. She just didn't know whether he had noticed that her things were gone.

"I'm at my grandma's," she said honestly.

Thaddeus stood in the dark house. When he had come in earlier, he hadn't turned on the lights because he was afraid of disturbing her. Now, he didn't want to turn them on at all.

Somehow, the endless darkness made him feel calmer.

He sat on the couch and realized for the first time how terrifyingly quiet the house was without her. "What are you doing over there?"

That was when Louisa knew he hadn't noticed anything missing. He still hadn't paid her any real attention.

She wouldn't be going tomorrow, and there wouldn't be a place for her in his future.

The answer didn't matter to her anymore.

"Thaddeus," Louisa said calmly. "I wish you happiness."

When he heard that, he almost wanted to cry. He rubbed his face, unable to explain the feeling. "I want to hear you say that to my face tomorrow."

Was he trying to prove something to Danica?

Regardless, Louisa didn't want to think about it. The night air was chilly, and she shivered. "Thaddeus, I'm tired. I'm going to sleep."

She hung up and closed her eyes. As she looked up at the starlit sky, a single tear slid from the corner of her eye.

This would be the last time she would cry over Thaddeus.