Chapter 22
Lionel had started preparations to propose a week before. He secretly contacted Samantha’s favorite planetarium and borrowed a professional star projection system.
On the day of the proposal, he arranged for all the studio staff to leave early and transformed the sample fitting room where she worked most often into a miniature universe.
“Can you come to the fitting room for a moment?” Lionel texted her while Samantha was in a meeting.
When Samantha pushed open the fitting room door, the entire room was suddenly dimmed. The Milky Way flowed beneath her feet, and the stars of Orion shimmered across the walls.
Lionel stood in the center of the starlight, and behind him were projections of all her designs of the years.
“What’s this?” Samantha covered her mouth in surprise.
Lionel got down on one knee and took out a velvet box from his pocket.
As he opened it, all the stars in the room seemed to focus on the ring inside. The diamond glowed softly under the blue starlight.
Lionel’s voice trembled slightly as he said, “I remember you once said that diamonds symbolize a new
beginning. The design of this ring was inspired by your award-winning piece from back then.”
Tears welled up in Samantha’s eyes. She recognized that detail she had once sketched on a design draft that ended up being rejected by judges.
Lionel said, “I secretly contacted an Ivorian craftsman. It took three months to get it just right.”
He gently held Samantha’s hand. “Every day I’ve spent with you, you’ve shown me a more beautiful world. Samantha Knott, will you marry me?”
Samantha threw herself into his arms before he could even finish saying that. Her tears soaked through
the front of his shirt.
She choked up as she nodded, clutching the hem of his shirt tightly as if she were afraid that this was just
a dream.
Lionel carefully slid the ring onto a finger. Then, he took out a men’s ring from his pocket. “Now, help me
put mine on, too.”
On the wedding day, the small chapel was filled with Samantha’s favorite flowers.
Lionel had invited the best string quartet to perform a piece she had once written about in her diary as her dream wedding music.
Dressed in a little custom-made suit, Joseph’s palms were sweaty from his nerves.
Holding Samantha’s hand tightly, he whispered, “Mommy, I practiced for a whole month. I promise I won’t step on your dress.
When the Wedding March began to play, Samantha walked down the aisle slowly with Joseph in hand.
When they reached the altar, Joseph suddenly pulled out a small piece of paper from his pocket and read seriously, “On behalf of Daddy, I give Mommy to Mr. Gray.”
After a brief pause, he added, “Daddy said that this time, we have to make sure Mommy is happy.”
Tears streamed down Samantha’s face.
Lionel crouched down to meet Joseph’s gaze. “I promise you, I’ll make sure your mother’s happy.”
They said their wedding vows in front of all their friends and guests. Then, they kissed and solemnly said I do” to each other.
At the reception, Harry sat alone in the farthest corner.
The glass of red wine before him remained untouched, and the pain he was feeling in his stomach was making him break out in a cold sweat.
When the newlyweds danced their first dance, he saw Lionel carefully place his hand on Samantha’s waist. He held her as if she were the most delicate treasure.
The sight reminded him of their own wedding night. He recalled how he had been so drunk that he passed out on the couch before he even shared the ceremonial drink.
“Mr. Wright, would you like to try the cake?” A waiter’s voice pulled him back to reality.
Harry shook his head. Then, he saw Samantha walking toward him.
“Thank you for coming to the wedding,” she said as she stood before him with her veil already removed.
Harry wanted to say something, but he suddenly started coughing violently.
He quickly covered his mouth with a handkerchief, but a trace of blood still seeped through. Samantha’s expression instantly changed. She instinctively reached out, only for Lionel to step over and gently put an
arm around her shoulders.
“Should we call a doctor?” Lionel asked sincerely.
Harry shook his head and forced himself to stand up. “I wish you happiness.”
When he turned around to leave, he heard Samantha say softly, “Take care.”
Those words cut sharper than any blade, severing the last shred of hope he had been clinging on to.
In the parking lot, Harry collapsed over the steering wheel as he finally allowed himself to cry freely.
In the rearview mirror, the stained glass windows of the chapel still glowed with a warm light, but he knew he would never walk inside again.
