Out of Ashes Into His Heart novel Chapter 11

Gavin's words hit right where it hurt most, leaving me stunned and speechless. I stared at him in disbelief, as though the man before me was someone I no longer recognized.

I couldn't help but think back to the Gavin I knew during our university days—charming, composed, and admired by everyone. He and Tom were known as the "Twin Stars of Fuvine University", revered for their looks, character, and achievements. There wasn't a girl on campus who didn't have a crush on them.

But now everything had changed.

Even my youthful, fervent love for him seemed like nothing more than a fleeting illusion.

Gavin must have taken my silence as an acquiescence. He let out a small sigh of relief and pulled me into his arms, his voice soft and pleading. "I promise you, Mandy and I are nothing. Please, just trust me."

I was just about to push him away when his phone began to vibrate in his pocket.

And when I saw the name on the caller ID, I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

It was Mandy. Again.

"Answer it," I said as I stepped back from his embrace.

Disappointment upon disappointment had left me numb. I hadn't realized how easy it was to erode a decade of love.

Gavin frowned, ignoring the call and hanging up.

But Mandy wasn't the type to give up.

The phone buzzed again, and Gavin once more declined the call. Again, and again, she called. I stood there watching the scene unfold, unable to suppress a humorless chuckle.

When the phone rang again, I grabbed it from Gavin's hands and quickly hung up, blocking her number in one swift motion.

Gavin froze, staring at me in surprise for a moment before the corners of his lips lifted into a smile. "Well, that's one way to keep things quiet."

I hadn't expected him to remain so calm about me blocking Mandy.

He softened his tone as he tried to placate me. "I was wrong today. I shouldn't have left you alone at the hospital without telling you. I promise it won't happen again."

In the past, his rare moments of humility would have made me giddy with joy.

But now, all I felt was exhaustion.

With Elizabeth's condition so fragile, I couldn't risk upsetting her. All I wanted now was for the wedding to proceed smoothly so she could be happy, even if it was just for a little while.

As for everything else—I didn't have the energy to care anymore.

"There won't be a next time, Gavin," I said firmly.

Seeing that I wasn't entirely dismissing him, he quickly nodded. "There won't be, I swear."

…

Preparations for the wedding proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Perhaps out of guilt, Gavin spent the next few days at home with me, helping choose invitations, picking out candies, and going over other wedding details.

During this time, Mandy seemed to vanish, no longer calling or causing a fuss. Perhaps it was because she was still blocked.

Her sudden silence felt out of character, almost unsettling.

But, true to form, Mandy wasn't one to stay quiet for long.

Three days before the wedding, she showed up at the Gould residence—arriving in my father-in-law Victor's car, no less.