The four men eyed the fair-skinned little girl, assessing her.
Howard sighed. "Blake's got it easier now. Hedwig's older and more sensible. My little princess, though tiny, has quite the temper. She gives me a headache every day."
Leo sat with Hedwig on his lap, stroking her long hair. "Hedwig, are you ready to be a flower girl with Noah?"
"Yep!" the little girl nodded eagerly.
"Just remember not to be nervous when you walk," Leo smiled.
"I won't! I'm not scared!" Hedwig patted her chest bravely.
But soon, her courage faltered.
Upon seeing the church filled with guests, she shrank at the entrance, too scared to step forward.
Meanwhile, Richard helped a limping Nick to their seats in the front row.
"Cheer up. Don't let others sense anything's wrong," Richard said, noticing Nick's sullen face.
Nick couldn't force himself to be happy. He wished he weren't here.
At that moment, a figure appeared before them.
"Richard, Nick, you're here too." Emily returned, dressed in a mature and elegant style that caught their attention.
Richard's expression shifted instantly.
"Why are you back? When did you arrive? Why didn't you inform me?"
"I just got back this morning. Patricia called yesterday, insisting I come. You know how firm she can be—I couldn't bear to upset her," Emily said, using Patricia as an excuse without mentioning Blake.
Richard knew Patricia often acted assertively.
"It's good you're back. Witnessing the man you love get married might just be the catharsis you need," Richard said in a low voice, relieved there were few people around.
Emily's smile froze.
She glanced at Richard, feeling a strange sense of distance, then sat beside them.
Nick didn't join their conversation. His face dark, he stared straight ahead.
"How's Nick's leg? I saw him limping earlier. Hurt?" Emily asked casually.
"Fell," Nick replied curtly.
He couldn't admit he was bitten by a dog—too humiliating.
Emily didn't press further.
She put on her sunglasses, disregarding etiquette, to avoid Richard's gaze.
Her heart ached, and she didn't want to face him.
Her pent-up resentment flared upon seeing Richard.
She wanted to lash out, to ask why he treated her this way—had she become disposable to him?
Did he exploit her innocence for his gain before casting her aside?
But Emily wasn't naive.
She saw through Richard's ruthlessness.
He truly intended to discard her but wanted one last use out of her.
She was no fool. Some people, heartless and cruel, couldn't be moved by genuine emotion.
When he was arrested, she'd pleaded with Blake, but now?
Her past feelings seemed misplaced.
Perhaps Richard deserved to rot in prison forever, his black heart locked away.
Richard had been covertly observing Emily.
Her unexpected return without a word had raised his suspicions.
Feeling his gaze, Emily pretended to check her phone, avoiding eye contact.
As the wedding host took the stage, the guests were moved by his heartfelt words, applauding enthusiastically.
After the host's segment, the main event began. Blake walked onto the stage to place the ring on Catherine's finger and make his vows before the priest.
Dressed impeccably in a suit, he exuded an astonishing aura of elegance and presence.
Emily's eyes were drawn to him as if by a magnetic force.
She swiftly removed her sunglasses—she wanted to sear this moment into her memory without any barrier.
Upon Blake's ascent to the stage, the elegant violin music signaled Catherine's entrance. The guests stood, and the doors opened.
Catherine took a deep breath, her nerves palpable.
Noah and Hedwig, holding their baskets of petals, stood before her. Hedwig peered ahead. "Noah, there are so many people. Are you nervous?"
"No," Noah replied coolly.
"What if I trip? Can you help me?" Hedwig's uncertainty betrayed her anxiety.