He Made My Parents Wait, So I Stopped Waiting Chapter 01
On the day my parents traveled nearly seven hundred miles to New York to discuss my wedding, Sebastian Wentworth and his family were late.
After my third call was declined, my mother smiled and tried to comfort me.
“Maybe they’re stuck in traffic. It’s fine. Your father and I can wait a little longer.”
That little longer became three hours.
The joy on my parents’ faces slowly faded into quiet hurt.
My father tugged at his stiff, ill-fitting suit for what felt like the hundredth time. Finally, his eyes reddened, and his voice trembled as he asked me, “Baby girl, does it really have to be him?”
“I’m not trying to break you up. I’m just worried. This city is almost seven hundred miles from home.”
“If you suffer here one day, your mother and I won’t be able to get here in time to wipe your tears.”
My nails dug into my palm.
I smiled anyway, helped them up, and said, “Dad, Mom, let’s go home. I don’t want this marriage anymore.”
…
After I brought my parents back to my apartment and got them settled, Sebastian finally called.
The second I picked up, he questioned me. His tone was sharp.
“We’re at the restaurant. Why is there nobody in the private room?”
“Marriage is a serious matter. Do your parents care so little that they can’t even show up on time?”
I went quiet for one second.
Then I answered, my voice flat. “Sebastian, my parents waited with me for three hours. You never came.”
“It’s not that they don’t care.”
“It’s that your family never cared about mine.”
The other end fell silent.
A moment later, Sebastian softened his voice.
“Violet got into Columbia’s graduate program. Her parents came in from out of town today to celebrate.”
“They don’t know New York, and Violet is still a student. She couldn’t handle everything alone, so I went to Penn Station to help pick them up.”
“You know my family has sponsored Violet for thirteen years. I’ve always seen her as a little sister. Her parents came all this way. I couldn’t just ignore them.”
It was rare for Sebastian to explain.
But hearing it only made my chest hurt more.
When my parents arrived yesterday, my company had an emergency all-hands meeting, and I really couldn’t leave.
I had no choice but to call Sebastian and ask him to pick them up.
How had he answered me?
“They’re grown adults, not toddlers. They can call an Uber. What, are they going to get lost?”
I explained patiently, “My parents haven’t traveled much. They don’t really know how to use ride apps. I was the one who bought their train tickets.”
“Penn Station isn’t far from where we live. You could just drive over and pick them up…”
Before I could finish, he cut me off impatiently.
“I’ve been working all day. I’m exhausted. Now after work I still have to be ordered around by you?”
“Whoever’s parents they are, that’s who should deal with them. I’m not getting involved.”
The line beeped twice.
He hung up.
In the end, I called a friend.
She drove over without a second word and picked up my parents for me.
The man who was about to become my husband was not even as reliable as a friend.
The thought was so ridiculous that I laughed out loud.
On the other end, Sebastian’s tone relaxed completely.
“If you’re laughing, then this is over.”
“Winnie, don’t be petty like this next time. You know there’s a big gap between our families. My parents already don’t really approve of us.”
“I’ll book another time. When it happens, have your parents apologize to mine, and then we can talk about the wedding again.”
His voice was so superior.
So sure that everything he said made perfect sense.
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“No need.”
“My parents are leaving soon.”
Sebastian paused for a second, then replied smoothly, “That works too. The wedding will follow my parents’ arrangements anyway. Your parents probably wouldn’t have much useful input.”
Just then, Violet Hayes’s sweet voice came from his side.
“Sebastian, my parents finished ordering. This is so generous of you. Come eat with us.”
Then, just like always, Sebastian hung up.
In the living room, my mother walked over nervously and took my hand.
Her expression was gentle.
“Winnie, your father and I are fine. Don’t say angry things because of us.”
“As long as Sebastian treats you well, that’s all that matters. We’ll attend the wedding and leave right after. We won’t make trouble for you.”
My heart ached.
I turned and held my mother’s arm.
“Mom, my company’s headquarters opened a new branch near home. I already submitted my transfer request.”
“In three days, I’m going back with you.”
My mother’s voice rose with uncontrollable joy.
“Really?”
I smiled and nodded.
“Really.”
My parents went to repack their bags.
The things they had brought for me to use after marriage now had to be carried back untouched.
When Sebastian came home, it was already after midnight.
Half-asleep, I felt someone hug me from behind.
“Sweetheart, why did you go to sleep without waiting for me tonight?”
