The Last Guest at the Wedding

The first time Lena cheated, she dragged her lover in front of me with tears in her eyes and said I could deal with him however I wished.

Loving her to the bone, I chose to forgive her for this mistake.

The second time she cheated, I sent that man abroad and ordered him never to return.

On the night of our engagement party, Lena grabbed me by the throat and pressed a dagger tightly against my lower abdomen.

With red eyes, she asked, "Where is Owen? Don’t you know he’s the father of the child in my belly? It was me who couldn't control my feelings. If you're angry, take it out on me. Owen is innocent. He doesn't deserve any of this. I'm begging you, as long as the child is safely born, I’ll never see him again for the rest of my life."

She added, "Didn't you lose the ability to have children after the car accident? Let's keep this child, okay? Don’t worry, the child will only acknowledge you as the biological father. That’s my promise to you."

The tip of the blade pierced my lower abdomen and blood began to seep from the skin.

I smiled at her and told her where Owen was.

The sound of the door slamming echoed. Trembling, I pulled out my phone and dialed that number.

"This time, you were right. Can you help me out again?"

——

On the other end of the line, the woman cursed under her breath, her tone helpless. "Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’ve already gone abroad, how am I supposed to help you now? Mr. Cross, no offense, but for someone so smart, how did you end up falling for the same woman twice? Did you trade all your emotional intelligence for IQ?"

Pressing hard on the wound in my abdomen, my voice grew increasingly bitter. "I'm sorry. Consider this a debt I owe you. I'll give up thirty percent on our next project. Is that enough?"

The person on the other end perked up instantly, clearly interested. "Send me the time and location. I promise to be there on time. If you ever have this kind of ‘deal’ again, remember to call me! Fair trade, no tricks."

I sent the complete wedding planning proposal to Miya. She quickly replied with an "OK" emoji.

The onceprepared marital home had been smashed to pieces by Lena, a perfect reflection of my current state of mind.

After treating my wound alone, I staggered out of the villa.

Just as I finished checking into a hotel, Lena’s call came in again. The roar of airplane engines was loud, but I still clearly heard the suppressed fury in her voice.

"Gavin, I’m on a plane heading abroad right now, so I can’t be with you tonight. Please get some rest. I’m sorry. I lost control of my emotions earlier. I never meant to hurt you."

"Is your injury serious? Should I send my private doctor over to take a look…"

"No need." I cut her off coldly.

Lena instantly lowered her tone. "Gavin, didn’t I already explain? What happened between Owen and me was just an accident. I was drugged and mistook him for you. Now that it’s happened, I had no choice but to find him. Would you rather let the father of my child die abroad?"

"You forgave me once before, didn’t you? Why must you make such a fuss this time? The wedding is only a week away. Calm down and get some rest tonight."

Staring at the chat history with Miya on my screen, I said coldly, "That won’t be necessary. I’m not going to marry you. Lena, I’ve told you before. I don’t tolerate sand in my eyes."

Just as I was about to hang up, she suddenly burst into anger. "Not marry me? Are you kidding? The engagement party is already over. Now the whole world knows the Greene Family is tying the knot with the Cross Family and you’re saying this now? Are you using our alliance to threaten me?"

"Gavin, we grew up together. You know exactly what kind of person I am. If I hadn’t been set up, I would never have betrayed you! I’ve only made two mistakes. Once the baby is born, I promise Owen will never show up in your life again. Isn’t that enough?"

Tears slid down without warning and a bitter smile curled at the corners of my lips. "So what? You want me to watch you raise another man's child every day? To be reminded every single day of your betrayal? Lena, I can't do it. I'm sorry."

As soon as the words fell, her furious roar came through the phone. "Fine! Remember what you said. Don’t you dare regret it! Who in my position doesn’t have lovers outside? I already handed Owen over to you to deal with. I've done all I can. If you can accept that, then marry me. If not, then get lost. Do whatever the hell you want."

The call ended.

In the reflection of the floortoceiling window, I saw my own wretched silhouette.

She had already forgotten that car accident. She had already forgotten that the only reason I had a penetrating wound in my abdomen was because I had saved her.

Room 13520, the suite that used to be her favorite spot for our dates.

She once said this place was filled with memories of our love.

Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, this room had practically become our exclusive haven.

But now, I was the only one who still remembered.

Lena was the one who told my parents about the canceled engagement. They immediately called, voices full of concern.

"Gavin, what happened? Lena said you're calling off the engagement?"

"This isn’t a joke. You can’t be reckless like this."

Burying myself deep under the covers, my voice choked with emotion. "She’s pregnant. And the child isn’t mine."

"Every woman makes mistakes. Can’t she just get rid of it…?"

"I’m not canceling the wedding," I interrupted. "Just changing the bride. You know her too. Miya."

My father's words of persuasion were swallowed back down. My mother, on the other hand, gasped in shock.

"Miya? Weren’t you two sworn enemies? Have you forgotten how she used to pin you down and beat you up when you were kids?"

I chuckled, trying to keep my tone light. "That’s exactly why I want to marry her, so I can torment her for the rest of her life."

Tossing and turning all night, the pain in my abdomen kept me wide awake.

When morning came, I contacted a real estate agent to start the process of selling the wedding house.

But when I returned to pack my things, I saw Lena’s private jet still parked on the lawn.

I pushed open the door, only to be met with a wall full of warm, intimate photos.

But the figure beside her in every picture wasn’t me. It was Owen.

She had gone again to every place we had once visited together — Arctic glaciers, the Eiffel Tower, the charred remains of NotreDame — this time with Owen.

She used to say she hated taking pictures. After all, she was holding a high position. Who knew what the media or her rivals would do with her photos? No matter how much I begged or promised, we never took a single photo together.

But now, Owen had become the exception.

The two of them stood in front of the photo wall.

She gently touched her barely showing belly, smiling sweetly. “Owen, once the baby is born, let’s take him on a trip too, okay? He’ll definitely like these places. Feel this, he’s kicking me already!”

The sound of the door opening caught their attention.

They both turned to see me standing there.

Owen immediately dropped to his knees before me, clutching my waist, begging for forgiveness.

“Gavin, it’s my fault. I didn’t keep my promise to stay abroad. Please don’t blame me, okay? I really like Lena… I swear, once the baby is born, I’ll leave and won’t bother you anymore.”

Before I could say anything, Lena sneered twice.

“No need for you to apologize. You were also drugged and that’s how you met me. In fact, I’m the one who owes you.”

She looked up at me.

“Gavin, I’ve already found out who poisoned us. That company will be shut down within a month. Owen was innocent, forced into making mistakes. You shouldn’t blame him. As for this whole mess, I won’t hold it against you. Just apologize and let it go.”

I looked back coldly, my gaze devoid of any emotion. It all just felt ridiculous to me.

“Apologize? Lena, have you lost your mind?”

The next moment, a hand around my waist suddenly pressed hard, stabbing right into my wound.

Pain shot through me and I gasped sharply, cold sweat soaking my entire body.

I hurriedly pushed the person away.

I didn’t push with much force, but Owen crashed straight into the cabinet.

“What are you doing?”

Lena suddenly shoved me hard, causing my forehead to slam heavily against the door frame.

Blood immediately welled up.

“I think you are the crazy one! Owen has already lowered his head to you and I've explained everything. What more do you want? Apologize to him. Otherwise, you can try me!"

Clenching my teeth and swallowing all my grievances, I said word by word, "No. Way. You want me to apologize to your lover? Lena, you're dreaming!"

"Ungrateful!"

Lena’s eyes turned red with anger. She hurriedly helped Owen into the bedroom to rest.

When she came out, she summoned all the servants in the villa.

"Where are the iron chains? Bring them out."

"Mr. Cross has lost his mind. Make him kneel in the manor and reflect properly!"

"Without my permission, no one is allowed to let him get up!"

My eyes suddenly turned bloodshot as I looked at her in disbelief.

"Lena, you’re insane! He’s just a homewrecker and you dare treat me like this? This is the house I bought!"

"But I’m the lady of the house."

Lena cast me a cold glance and said nothing more.

The servants swiftly dragged me outside.

Blood streaked across the ground, leaving a long, red trail.

The moment the villa's gate shut, a sudden clap of thunder erupted in the once clear sky.

Then came a torrential downpour. It drenched me completely in an instant.

I knelt in the rain, the wounds on my forehead and abdomen beginning to burn.

My consciousness slowly blurred.

Turning to the servant nearby who was keeping watch, I spoke in an almost inaudible voice.

"Let me go... Please go get Lena… I’m begging you..."

The servant gave me a mocking glance, standing under the eaves with a sneer on her face.

"Save it. I’ve seen enough of your ‘pitiful act’ routine."

"Mr. Cross just called for a private doctor. She's busy tending to Mr. Belt’s wounds right now."

I forced my eyes open and looked up. A vague silhouette appeared on the secondfloor balcony.

The next second, everything went black and I collapsed completely onto the ground.

In my fading consciousness, I heard the servants shouting anxiously. "Something's wrong! Mr. Cross has fainted! There's blood on the ground. Quick, get the doctor!"

Familiar footsteps approached and an umbrella was opened over my head.

Lena's voice was especially cold. "Had enough of this act? Anyone who didn’t know better would think you’re the one being bullied. Gavin, it’s time you learned some humility. I'm doing this for your own good."

Her footsteps receded. She stood under the eaves, embracing Owen, both looking in my direction.

Owen held her in his arms, his voice tinged with guilt. "Lena, I don’t think Gavin is faking it… Aren’t we being a bit too harsh? After all, he’s your fiancé. If the Cross Family finds out..."

Lena's expression turned cold. "I’ve worked hard for years. I don’t need to answer to the Cross Family. He was the one being unreasonable first. You still have eight months here. I can’t let you get pushed around all the time. His temper has to be corrected."

A glint of smugness flashed in Owen’s eyes before he quickly replaced it with an innocent expression.

“I’ve heard that marriages between wealthy families lack real feelings. Is that how it is between you and Gavin too?”

The torrential rain showed no mercy, pounding down relentlessly, washing over my pale face again and again.

In that instant, it felt as though my heart had stopped.

The next second, Lena's emotionless voice echoed in my ear.

"To wear the crown, one must bear its weight. Born into the Greene Family, a marriage alliance is a duty I can’t escape. Since I never had a choice, I can only accept it. Gavin is handsome and innocent. Compared to the other arrogant secondgeneration heirs, he’s the best option."

Tears slid from the corners of my eyes, soaking into the dirt.

Lena looked at Owen with tender affection, her eyes finally showing emotion.

"I once thought I’d live my whole life like this. But your appearance is a gift from the heavens. Thank you, Owen."

Every word pierced my heart like a knife.

I couldn’t tell what hurt more, my body or my heart.

The childhood memories we once shared were slowly fading.

What I thought was innocent companionship, what I believed to be a love deeply rooted, turned out to be nothing but lies.

How laughable that in my twenty years of life, my only wish was to marry her, to support her career, to help her rise effortlessly.

The girl who once broke a branch under the willow tree to make a ring for me has now faded into nothing but a memory.

My tightly wound nerves suddenly snapped and blood gushed from the wound on my abdomen.

Lena finally sensed something was wrong and snapped at the servant beside her. "What are you waiting for? Go check on him! If anything happens to Gavin, none of you need to work here anymore!"

In my daze, someone kept shaking me.

Then, I fell into a warm embrace.

The familiar scent of pine seemed to bring me back to those days when it was just the two of us.

But when I opened my eyes, I was already in the guest room.

Lena sat by the bed.

Her face was full of anger and coldness.

"Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt? Gavin, must you be this stubborn? When will you ever change your temper?”

Ignoring her emotions, I turned my head and looked around the room.

It was dilapidated and messy, worse than the servants’ quarters.

And the master bedroom that once belonged to me… well, it was obvious who lived there now.

A cold smile curled at the corners of my lips.

I didn’t spare her a glance.

“My temper has nothing to do with you. The one you should be most concerned about right now is Owen.”

I propped myself up and tore off the bandages around my abdomen.

“And one more thing—just a reminder—this is a house I bought. Kindly ask your lover to move out as soon as possible.”

Lena was completely enraged by my indifference. She stood up and shouted furiously. “Enough! Can’t you be a little more tolerant? I let Owen stay here so you two could take care of each other, not for you to throw tantrums!”

“Forget it. I still have eight months until I give birth. Use that time to calm down. When the child is born, I don’t want their father to be a madman!”

Throwing out those words, Lena turned and left without looking back.

Lifting the covers, I saw the wound on my knee had already been treated by the doctor.

I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.

Everything I’d suffered was because of her and now she’s trying to play the good guy?

The sound of laughter from downstairs continued. I pulled out my phone and lowered the selling price of the villa once again.

I didn’t want to see this place, soaked with heartache, for another second.

That night, the servants prepared a full table of food.

Most of it was seafood, exactly what Lena was allergic to.

Standing on the second floor, I glanced down and remembered the way she used to order food at restaurants, never willing to compromise for me.

So this was what love and indifference look like—so stark, so obvious.

Back in what used to be the master bedroom, all my belongings had already been thrown out.

At least it saved me some effort.

After booking a ride on my phone, I turned to leave.

Owen appeared in front of me, carrying a plate of food.

He smiled smugly. “Gavin? What, came to take a look at your old room? Sorry about that. Lena said the baby comes first, so this room’s been given to me now—makes it easier for the father to stay close and take care of things. If you’re looking for any trash, you might want to check the garbage bin. There’s nothing here.”

The “trash” he was talking about was the gifts Lena once gave me.

I curled my lips into a cold smile and looked at him. “Owen, what you treat as treasure isn’t necessarily treasure to me. I can give you the house and I can give you the woman too. But remember, whatever you snatched from someone else will one day be snatched from you. You weren’t her first man and you won’t be her last.”

Owen’s face darkened. He smashed the plate of food in his hand.

“Stop pretending. Only someone pathetic like you who's been used and thrown away still talks tough! You don't need to give anything. Lena would only ever choose me. If you don't believe it, just watch!"

As soon as he said that, he suddenly screamed, tore his own pajamas apart and ran toward the terrace. With a leap, he flung himself over the edge, clinging by just one arm. The cold night rain lashed against him as the wind howled and Owen’s sobs grew increasingly pitiful.

"Gavin, why are you treating me like this?"

Before I could react, Lena kicked the door open. In just a few strides, she rushed forward and yanked him back in, cradling him tightly in her arms.

Then she turned back to me, rage flashing in her eyes and slapped me hard across the face.

“Gavin, are you done yet?”

Owen leaned weakly against her, his voice faint and sorrowful. “Gavin, I’ve already admitted I was wrong… Why won’t you let me go? You can hit me, curse me. I’ll take it all. But the child… the child is innocent. When the baby is born, I’ll pay for everything with my life. Just… please, spare my child…”

I frowned tightly, about to speak, but Lena cut in coldly:

“Gavin, kneel!”

I stared at her in disbelief. “You doubt me?”

Lena laid Owen gently on the bed, then turned to face me, her eyes sharp and ruthless. “Shouldn’t I doubt you? First, you sent Owen abroad, then you deliberately pushed him. This is the third time! Gavin, what reason do I have to believe you?”

The love that once existed between us vanished in that instant. Without giving me a chance to explain, Lena hurriedly carried Owen and left the villa.

One by one, I tore down the photos on the walls, cutting them up and setting them ablaze.

At midnight, the realtor messaged me. [Mr. Cross, someone wants to buy the house at full price—no need for a discount. When would you be available to sign the contract?]

[Tomorrow.]

I fired all the villa’s servants. For a whole week, Lena did not appear again.

From time to time, photos of her being secretly taken by passersby at the hospital surfaced—either registering at the maternity ward or strolling with Owen in the garden on the first floor.

On the morning of the wedding day, with the groom still nowhere to be seen, Lena drove the wedding car straight to the villa to find me.

She opened the door and was met with a stranger’s face.

Her brow immediately furrowed.

“Where’s Gavin? Who are you people?”

An assistant hurriedly came up from behind, out of breath and said, “Ms. Greene, there’s been a mistake, a big mistake. This house has already been sold by Mr. Cross! Today, Mr. Cross is going to marry Miya from the Hart Family!"