True Love Won’t Wait

At 10:30 a.m., the string quartet played the processional for the third time. The groom was still nowhere to be seen. The officiant stood awkwardly at the altar as the guests whispered among themselves. "Where is Mr. Cross?" "What happened? Did the groom disappear?" Their voices were hushed, but I knew every eye was on me. I stood behind the doors, gathering the skirt of my wedding gown in my hands, yet somehow I was the calmest person in the room. Only one person in the world could make Adrian late to his own wedding. At 11:10 a.m., the ballroom doors finally opened. Adrian entered with one arm around Chloe. Half her weight rested against him. Her face was pale, but the emerald at her throat flashed like a taunt. I recognized that necklace. We had seen it at an auction three years ago. Adrian had told me the emerald ivy symbolized loyalty and lasting love. He promised to give it to me as a wedding present. But now, that very necklace was resting against Chloe's collarbone. Adrian walked straight up to me. "Evelyn, I'm sorry. Chloe started complaining of tightness in her chest on the way here, so I had to take her to the hospital first. Thankfully, she's fine. We can go ahead with the wedding now." He reached for my hand, as though continuing the ceremony could erase his 40-minute absence. I didn't respond. My gaze remained fixed on Chloe's neck. Chloe touched the emerald and gave me an apologetic look. "Evelyn, please don't blame Adrian. I panicked when my chest started hurting and made him stay with me. You're a doctor. You understand, don't you?" Her words were for me, but her hand never left Adrian's arm. "I know you loved this necklace too." She paused, glancing at my bare throat. "But ever since my brother died saving Adrian, he buys me anything that catches my eye. I'm so sorry." Adrian shifted uneasily. "That's enough, Chloe." Then he turned to me, trying to explain. "I'll make it up to you. After the wedding, I'll buy you something even more valuable." He apologized, but he didn't ask Chloe to remove the necklace he had promised me. The hotel doctor arrived and examined Chloe again. Her blood pressure and oxygen levels were normal. She had never been sick at all. "Miss Lane isn't showing signs of a medical emergency. She can rest here while we monitor her." My godfather, Gabriel, stepped down from the altar. He was 70 years old and had flown more than 10 hours to officiate my wedding. He had to leave before noon to catch his flight. "Adrian, how could you keep your bride waiting in her wedding gown?" Gabriel's expression darkened. "Chloe has a doctor with her, and I must leave by noon. Go finish your wedding. Now." Adrian didn't argue. He straightened his tie and came toward me. "I swear that after we're married, I'll never make you wait again. I'll cherish you above everyone else." He was about to take my hand when a pained cry came from behind him. Chloe clutched the back of a chair and crumpled to the floor, both hands wrapped tightly around her ankle. "My foot... I think I twisted it." Adrian's outstretched hand froze. A moment later, he turned away from me and pulled her into his arms. "What happened?" "I must have twisted it on the steps earlier." Tears of pain filled Chloe's eyes, but she forced a smile at me. "Don't worry about me. Go marry Evelyn." She told him to move, yet her trembling fingers clung desperately to his lapel. The hotel doctor crouched beside her and soon delivered his verdict. "There's no visible swelling, and her range of motion is nearly normal. If you're concerned, there's a public hospital 10 minutes away. The doctors there can treat her." "Public hospitals are too cheap," Chloe said shakily. "I've always been treated at St. Matthew's. Only the doctors there understand my condition." Adrian looked at the altar only a few feet away, then at the woman in his arms. He hesitated before saying, "We're going to St. Matthew's." St. Matthew's was outside the city, a two-hour drive each way. Gabriel's anger erupted. "There's not even visible swelling on her ankle. Are you really going to abandon your own wedding and let everyone mock your bride?" Embarrassment crossed Adrian's face. "I know how important today is to Evelyn. But Chloe's brother died in a fire while saving my life. I owe the Lane family that much. I'll be back soon." I stepped in front of him. "Adrian, I'll wait until 11:40. Stay, and the wedding goes ahead. Leave, and we're over." His whole body went rigid. "Don't say that. I know you don't mean it. I'm sorry I let you down today, but I'm only taking her for an examination. I'm not abandoning you. Give me a few hours. I promise I'll come back and marry you this afternoon." At 11:35, he carried Chloe out of the hotel. Before getting into the car, he glanced back at me. "You waited the first two times. A few more hours won't make any difference. I still love you. Wait for me."