He Never Knew I Was Carrying His Child Chapter 07
I stared at the screen, already drafting a careful explanation in my head.
Before I could type, another message appeared.
Were you trying to tell me something?
A second later, my phone buzzed again.
A banking notification. A transfer had been made.
My eyes widened. Five figures. I froze.
Then another message came through.
Not an accident.
Come with me to a wedding this Saturday in New York.
Some distant cousin is getting married.
My family will spend the entire day asking why I’m still single.
I’d rather have a fake date than answer those questions.
You’re single, aren’t you? Consider the money hazard pay.
I couldn’t help laughing. Unfortunately, Ava’s wedding was the same day.
For the first time in our friendship, a small fortune was competing against loyalty.
I stared at the amount on my screen. It could pay several months‘ rent. Maybe longer.
I sighed. Then typed back,
Thank you, Mr. Carter.
But my best friend is getting married on Saturday back home.
There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
The moment I hit send, I could practically hear money slipping through my fingers.
The wedding preparations started at nine in the morning. I arrived at the bridal suite right on time.
Ava was already sitting in front of the mirror, surrounded by makeup artists, hair stylists, and a dozen little details that came with a wedding day.
“Elena. I knew you’d be the first one to come.”
When she finally turned around, I forgot what to say.
The girl who had stood beside me through countless ordinary days was now sitting there in a wedding dress, about to start a completely new chapter of her life.
My eyes stung. Ava noticed immediately.
“Don’t cry,” she whispered, reaching for my hand. “If you start, I’ll start too.”
She pointed toward the bouquet resting on the vanity.
“I actually picked these lilies of the valley with you in mind.”
Ava pointed to the bouquet resting on the table. “I thought you were finally going to bring Damian today.”
She smiled. “I was hoping you’d be the one catching the bouquet.” So that was why she’d kept asking me to bring him.
I looked at the bouquet and laughed softly. “I guess you’ll have to find another target.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “No. I’m already sacrificing myself by getting married. Don’t think you’re getting away that easily. You’re next.”
Something inside me finally settled. My best friend was getting married.
The ceremony was held at a country estate.
By the time guests began arriving, my nerves had caught up with me.
I slipped outside for some air. The gardens were quiet.
I had just steadied my breathing, when I saw him.
Damian.
He walked toward me as though nothing had happened.
“You told me Ava wanted everyone to bring their spouses. I cleared my schedule.”
He brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face. “When are you coming home?”
I stepped back.
“This is Ava’s wedding. I’m not doing this today. If you want to talk, it can wait until after the ceremony.”
His jaw tightened. But after a long moment, he moved aside.
Later, the officiant handed the microphone to the groom.
“If you could promise your bride one thing, what would it be?”
He smiled at Ava. “Everyone says you’re the strongest woman they know. You never ask for help. You carry everything on your own.”
His voice softened. “But I’d like to ask you for one promise. When life gets heavy, don’t carry it alone, let me carry some of it with you.”
“You don’t have to be strong every minute of every day. You can lean on me.”
“You can wake me up at three in the morning. You can call me when you’re scared. You can tell me when you’ve
had a terrible day. I want to be the person you come home to.”
