He Wanted a Pet, I Left Him Behind

Chapter 5

Kingswell's wealthiest circles were buzzing with gossip.

News of the marriage alliance between the Hale and Grant families swept across the media and social platforms.

Gold-embossed wedding invitations went out to prominent families and business leaders all over the city.

Sophia sat in the bridal suite, scrolling through envious comments on her phone.

She smiled with practiced modesty.

"Sophia, Mr. Hale has been devoted to you for 10 years."

"I know. I'm so jealous."

"Don't forget us once you're Mrs. Hale. We expect some perks."

Sophia lowered her head and smiled.

"Of course."

Her friends kept chattering around her.

She took a sip of champagne and lowered her gaze, hiding the resentment beneath her smile.

She had waited 10 years, through the Grant family's glory days and into its decline.

It didn't matter.

As long as she was the woman standing beside Marcus in the end, it would all be worth it.

At the same time, Marcus stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows while his phone screen went dark yet again.

Elena wasn't at the Hale residence.

His knuckles had turned white around the phone.

'Where did she go?'

"Mr. Hale!" Owen Blake's panicked voice came through the phone. "Ms. Brooks still hasn't come back. We've checked the residence, her usual cafés, even her friends' places. She's nowhere."

"What did you say?" Marcus's voice went cold. "Pull every surveillance feed you can access. Check flights, trains, anything you can get into." He yanked his tie loose and swallowed hard. "Find her."

The wedding coordinator eased the door open, visibly terrified.

"Mr. Hale, the ceremony starts in 10 minutes..."

"Cancel it."

The room went dead silent.

Sophia rushed in holding up the skirt of her wedding dress just as Marcus strode toward the exit.

"Marcus!" Her voice trembled. "Where are you going?"

Chloe grabbed his arm with both hands.

"Marcus! All these guests are watching. Have you lost your mind?"

He shook them off.

"Move."

His face was hard with anger.

Sophia stumbled back two steps.

A strand of hair fell loose from her carefully styled updo, making her already pale face look even whiter.

Whispers rose around her from every direction.

"I heard Mr. Hale is ditching the wedding for some woman no one's ever heard of."

"The Grant family is a complete joke now."

Sophia bit down on her lip until she tasted blood.

When Marcus kicked open the main bedroom door, he stopped short.

Half the closet was empty.

All of Elena's skincare products were gone from the dresser.

Even her favorite stuffed animal had disappeared.

Even the faint fragrance that always seemed to cling to her had faded from the room.

"Elena..."

His voice sounded strange even to him.

She was only supposed to be sulking.

How could she have left like this?

A flash of silver caught his eye.

A simple silver ring lay on the nightstand.

The engraving inside was still clear: For Ellie.

His fingers trembled as he picked it up.

He had bought it with his first paycheck.

After the accident erased his memory, he had worked for 3 months to save up enough money for that ring.

Elena had called him an i***t, her eyes red with tears.

Then she had worn it for 3 years.

Now she didn't want it anymore.