Dominic stepped back, shaking his head in disbelief. How could she cancel? Two months ago, when he’d accepted her proposal,
her joy had been undeniable. Why would she cancel the wedding?
His friends and family were equally bewildered. They hadn’t forgotten the date. Dominic’s mother, after confirming with the
staff that Jane had indeed cancelled, pulled him aside, anger simmering.
“What’s going on? The date was set! She didn’t come, and cancelled the wedding? What does she mean?”
Seeing his son’s equally surprised expression, her anger intensified.
She knew Jane and Dominic had been friends for twenty years, and she’d sensed Jane’s affection for him; she’d approved of her as
his daughter–in–law.
But Jane, the bride, hadn’t shown up, and had cancelled two weeks prior, without anyone knowing!
“Call Jane! Ask her if she still wants to get married!”
Dominic, jolted awake, pulled out his phone to call Jane.
His hand trembled as he dialed. But she was already on a flight to Chrysalis; the call went straight to voicemail. A cold,
mechanical voice was all he heard.
His heart sank. Everything had been fine yesterday. Why couldn’t he reach her today?
He rushed home, clinging to a sliver of hope.
–
The house was silent, empty. He noticed the absence of a picture frame from the table a rare photo of him and Jane, one she
cherished, keeping it meticulously clean. Her toiletries, her clothes… everything related to her was gone!
He suddenly remembered the emptiness in the house after his trip with Beverly.
The picture frame had been missing then, too.
He’d vaguely noticed something was missing, and Jane had said she’d cleared out unnecessary items, so he hadn’t thought much
of it.
Now he realized she hadn’t cleared out unnecessary things; she’d removed everything that reminded her of him, of their
relationship. Including herself.
