Out of Ashes Into His Heart novel Chapter 13

I couldn't react for a moment. "Not in the lounge? Could he have gone out to greet the guests?"

After all, Gavin was the star of today's event. No one could possibly be busier than him.

Dawn pressed her lips together. "I asked the makeup artist. She said Gavin answered a call and left."

My heart skipped a beat. "Whose call?"

"No idea." Dawn said the words, but it was clear she had someone in mind. Gritting her teeth, she muttered, "I just knew that Mandy wouldn't stay quiet!"

"Gracie, call Gavin right now! Today is your wedding—you can't let anything go wrong!"

I hurriedly grabbed my phone and disabled Gavin's number, but all I got was, "Sorry, the number you're calling is currently switched off."

"He's turned off his phone." The gravity of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks.

There was only an hour left before the wedding, and most of the guests had already arrived. Considering the Gould family's position in Fuvine, if Gavin didn't show up today.

The mere thought of it made my vision blur.

Panicked, I grabbed Dawn's wrist, my voice trembling. "Is my mom here yet?"

"She's been here for a while," Dawn replied, her lips pressed tightly together.

"What do I do?" I was beside myself with worry.

Even if I had to face everyone's ridicule alone on the wedding stage, I could endure it. But under no circumstances could I let my mother find out. Her health wouldn't withstand the shock.

"I'll find your brother Alex and ask him to come up with a reason to take your mom back to the hospital."

"Okay." I nodded hurriedly. "Please, take care of my mom.

"Don't panic. Call Caleb and see if he can reach Gavin. Also, ask your mother-in-law for help." Dawn, ever decisive and level-headed, exuded a calm authority that steadied me somewhat.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to focus. After Dawn left, I immediately called Caleb.

The call connected quickly.

"Where's Gavin?" I waste no time with pleasantries, cutting straight to the chase.

Caleb was silent for a moment.

"Caleb," I pressed, my voice low but urgent, "today is my wedding with Gavin. All of Fuvine's elites are here. Do you want the Gould family to become the laughingstock of the entire city?"

Clearly grasping the seriousness of the situation, Caleb hesitated before saying, "Mr. Gould received a call from the hospital. Ms. Green attempted suicide and was admitted."

It felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over my head, extinguishing the last shred of hope I had held onto.

My knees buckled, and I swayed, barely managing to stay upright.

It was a blow unlike any other—crushing, overwhelming despair.

He had promised me.

He said he wouldn't get involved with Mandy anymore. Yet, when he heard she had attempted suicide, he still abandoned me to see her.

Why? Why today of all days?

He had personally promised me this wedding. He knew how much this day meant. And yet, everything—this entire day, this dream—meant nothing compared to Mandy's place in his heart.

I clutched the phone tightly, unable to speak.

Even as Caleb's voice filtered through, his words sounded distant and muffled, like echoes in a void.

I felt as though a blade had pierced my chest, twisting cruelly, robbing me of breath.

"Mrs. Gould," Caleb's voice deepened, tinged with urgency, "I'm heading to the hospital now. Don't worry—once I find Mr. Gould, I'll bring him back. But I need you to stall for more time."