He Had a Secret Wedding, I Had a Final Goodbye Chapter 09
Adrian had lost a lot of weight.
The effortless composure that had once made him seem so completely in control had been worn
down over the past two years.
When I didn’t turn around and leave, he seemed relieved.
“Are you doing okay?”
“I’m good.”
He studied me as if he wasn’t sure he believed it.
“Really?”
“Really.”
A cool breeze swept down the street, stirring the fallen leaves.
Adrian was silent for a long time before he finally spoke.
“I used to think you’d never actually leave.”
“I thought no matter what I did, you’d still be there in the end.”
I didn’t answer.
Because he was right.
Back then, I had put up with far too much.
I wouldn’t anymore.
He looked down, his voice rough.
“Is there really no chance for us?”
I looked at him.
“It’s too late.”
He seemed to have expected the answer, but it still hit him. After a moment, he nodded.
“I know.”
A few seconds passed.
“I’m sorry.”
Passing headlights swept over his face. He looked exhausted.
Suddenly, I remembered something from years ago.
I had been sick with a fever, and Adrian had stood in the kitchen making me a bowl of chicken soup.
I had sat there with the warm bowl in my hands, thinking how lucky I was. I had believed that as
long as he was there, I could handle whatever came next.
Only later did I understand that a little tenderness from someone didn’t mean they deserved the
rest of your life.
I looked away.
“Goodbye.”
Then I turned and walked away.
This time, I never looked back.
Later, I got married.
The wedding was small, with only the people who truly mattered to us.
There was no big production and no elaborate traditions, but from beginning to end, I felt
completely at peace.
Mia sat in her wheelchair in a pale blue dress, holding the ring box in her lap.
When it was time to exchange rings, she handed it to me, her eyes already full of tears.
I squeezed her hand.
“Don’t cry. You’ll ruin your makeup.”
She tried to hold it in, but the tears only came faster.
“Leah, you look so beautiful today.”
My own eyes stung as I looked at her.
My adoptive parents were sitting with the other guests, teary-eyed too.
They had changed a lot over the past few years.
They no longer assumed I would always be the understanding one, and they no longer used family
platitudes to guilt me into giving in.
Some damage could never be undone.
But at least now, they looked me in the eye and said my name like it mattered.
The man standing beside me was Julian.
When the officiant asked him to say a few words, Julian didn’t give some polished speech. He simply tightened his hand around mine, looked at me, and said, “From now on, I’m on your side”
His voice was quiet but steady.
The room fell silent, and my throat tightened.
So this was what it felt like to be chosen without hesitation.
