Chapter 6 Announcement

• Announcement
• Isla’s POV:
• My emotional journey today was too complex to describe, from awkward to tense, then from tense to strange.
• Now that my parents had called Matthew over, I was certain that he was a man of action, to say the least.
• They finally agreed to have both families sit down together to discuss the wedding. I walked Matthew downstairs.
• It was just the two of us in the elevator again.
• “My marriage license...” I started.
• “To avoid a short cooling-off period and a hasty divorce, both copies are with me,” Matthew said seriously.
• “...That's so domineering,” I muttered under my breath. “I'm not that kind of person.”
• The elevator doors opened, and they stood by the Range Rover.
• People in the neighborhood were glancing our way; after all, several luxury cars parked in a regular complex like this was a rare sight.
• I recognized a few familiar faces. Having lived here for a while, everyone knew each other. Now, seeing her with an unfamiliar man and a fleet of luxury cars, their looks were curious.
• I didn't shrink back, let them look all they wanted.
• Matthew stood across from me. I, being shorter by about eight inches, couldn't see his expression without looking up.
• When I wasn't paying attention, Matthew gently hugged me, one hand on my head, the other around my back, his chin resting on my head, enveloping my small frame completely.
• He was dressed all in black, holding a petite girl in a pink dress, looking like a guardian with a tender expression.
• Before I could react, Matthew let go.
• “Go on back, I'm leaving,” he said.
• His strong presence close and then suddenly gone left me a bit dazed.
• “Okay.”
• I felt slower around him, like he made me feel protected in ways I hadn't expected.
• “Hey, Isla! Who was that big shot?” a neighbor called out as Matthew walked away, curiosity getting the best of mine.
• “Is he a distant cousin? You two seem pretty close, even hugged.”
• I replied calmly, “He's my husband.”
• “What? Your husband?” the neighbor screeched.
• Others gathered around, drawn by the commotion.
• “Aren't you Aiden's fiancée? The engagement party is next month.”
• “Yeah, we were all waiting for your engagement candy.”
• They kept calling me Aiden's fiancée, a term I'd grown used to but now found repulsive.
• I smiled slightly, “I'll still give out candy, but it will be for me and my husband, not for me and Aiden. We broke up. Please, don't call me Aiden's fiancée anymore. Thanks.”
• With that, I turned and went back upstairs.
• I didn't want to explain much or care about others' opinions. Soon enough, word would spread throughout the complex, and that was fine.
• Just as I reached her door, a new friend request popped up on my INS.
• The nickname was “W.”
• The request message read: Matthew.
• Matthew wanted to add her on INS? Given their current relationship, she had no reason to refuse. I accepted the request.
• Matthew: [Image]
• Matthew: [Post this on your social media, Mrs. Logan.]
• Without any greeting, Matthew's messages popped up immediately.
• I: “...”
• He'd taken a picture of our marriage certificate, the one with my name on it.
• Announce it? Tell everyone WE were married?
• Before I could reply, Matthew posted a new status on his social media.
• Caption: You are My Mrs. Logan. Attached was the photo of their marriage license.
• I couldn't quite describe how I felt. Warm, maybe.
• Matthew's serious attitude made me feel warm, reassured. He gave me a sense of stability after our whirlwind marriage.
• When I didn't respond right away, Matthew sent another message, urging me.
• “Ms. Eliana, what's your response?” He smiled a bit, then suddenly stopped calling me Mrs. Logan and switched to Ms. Eliana. He must be showing his displeasure.
• I posted on my social media:
• Caption: “He’s my Mr. Right.”
• After posting, I turned off my notifications and put my phone on mute.
• When I walked into the house, Mila seemed to have something to say.
• “Isla, honey...”
• I, looking tired, whispered, “Mom, I'm exhausted. I need to sleep.”
• “Alright, go rest. When you wake up, tell me what you want for dinner, and I’ll make it for you.”
• “Okay, thanks mom.”
• My room wasn't big, but it was decorated with care. In middle school, I had been obsessed with pink and purple, so my parents had decorated my room in a dreamy pink and purple style. In high school, I preferred ocean blue, so the room changed to that. After graduating college, I loved a more elegant look, so my room became a soft cream color.
• Maybe because I was spoiled from a young age, I subconsciously thought life would always go smoothly.
• I lay on my bed, hugging a Stitch plushie, staring at the items on my desk. The pen holder, the crystal ball, the cat lamp, the notebook—gifts from Aiden back in high school. The clothes, shoes, and bags he bought me in college. All those things were still there.
• Even on my easel, there were countless drawings of Aiden.
• This room held so many memories of him.
• I remembered the year we were sophomores, a boy in the art room had harassed me. Aiden and his two buddies had burst in and beat the guy up. Aiden got hurt and ended up in the hospital, almost getting expelled.
• Back then, we weren’t even together yet. He was so resolute, like he’d fight anyone who dared to bully me, ready to give everything for me.
• When did our love change?
• I thought about it for a long time before finally drifting into a restless sleep.
• In my dream, there was darkness, a shadow moving further and further away, then a fiery rose slowly blooming beside me.
• I didn’t know how long I had slept, but I was woken by the sound of voices.
• I sat up slowly.
• “Rowan...” Outside, someone was talking. It sounded like Aiden’s parents.
• I glanced at the clock. 7:20 PM.
• Third Person POV:
• Aiden’s parents, Ellis and Charlotte, brought a bruised and battered Aiden, talking to Isla’s parents. The pile of gift boxes still cluttered the living room. Everyone was cramped on the balcony.
• Aiden stood in the corner, staring out the window.
• Their parents sat at the tea table.
• Rowan asked, furious, “Do you think your son deserved to be hit?”
• “He did, he did,” Mila responded angrily, “The idiot did something like that. You had every right to beat him.”
• Rowan chuckled coldly, glaring at Aiden, who stayed silent.
• “I saved this kid's life once. When he was little, he snuck out to play by the river and nearly drowned. I pulled him out, or he wouldn’t be here today. And now, I entrusted Isla to him, and he dares to treat her like this.”
• Aiden bit his lower lip hard, still not saying a word.
• Ellis looked ashamed. “We failed as parents. We let Isla down.”
• “Hmph.”
• Rowan was too angry to speak.
• Charlotte, holding Mila’s hand, cried sadly. “Are we really not going to be in-laws? I saw Isla’s post on social media. She really got married to someone else.”
• Mila sighed. “It’s true.”
• Charlotte covered her face, tears streaming down. “How could this happen? I really love Isla. I thought of her not just as my daughter-in-law, but as my own daughter.”
• They were very close friends.
• But after what Aiden did, Mila couldn’t find it in herself to forgive. She couldn’t even offer comforting words.
• “We only have Isla,” Rowan said, his voice heavy with sorrow. “When she’s hurt, we’re hurt. This whole situation is devastating.”
• Charlotte pleaded, “Can’t you reconsider? Isla must have acted on impulse. She and Aiden have so many years of history. How can it end just like that?”
• Aiden finally turned around, looking at Mila with hope.
• Mila pulled her hand back. “That’s too much. Cheating is unforgivable. Let me put it this way—if Ellis cheated on you, could you forgive him and stay together?”
• Charlotte’s face changed. “I…”
• “Well, I couldn’t,” Mila said firmly. “If Rowan cheated, I’d definitely leave him. No question.”
• Rowan’s lips twitched. “Hey, why am I being dragged into this? I’d never cheat.”
• Aiden clenched his fists, his expression growing more sorrowful. The people who once adored him now only showed disdain.
• Charlotte refused to give up. “But the kids have so many years together. They…”
• “Eliana.”
• Isla came out of her room, changed and composed. She walked up to everyone.
• Aiden’s face lit up as he immediately apologized. “Isla, I’m sorry…”
• “I don’t want to hear it.” Isla cut him off. She turned to Rebecca, her tone steady. “Auntie Rebecca, there’s no need to reconsider. I’m already married.”
• Aiden’s throat tightened. “Isla, you’re just saying this out of anger, right?”
• “It’s not anger. It’s real,” Isla said, sitting next to Mila. She looked at Ellis and Rebecca. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. But love isn’t something you can force. The hurt is done and can’t be undone.”
• Charlotte still wouldn’t give up. “But you two were so good together…”
• “Our fate is sealed,” Isla said softly. “Please, Auntie Charlotte, let it go.”
• Her voice was quiet but firm. Her pretty face remained calm and serious, and nothing could change her words.
• Charlotte could only weep, “We failed you.”
• Ellis sighed heavily, weighed down by his guilt and helplessness.
• Rowan said, “This is it then. We’ve been neighbors for 20 years. I thought we’d always be close, maybe even family. But now, we’re here.”
• No one spoke. Aiden’s actions left Ellis too ashamed to even speak to his old friends.
• Rowan continued, “Isla and Matthew’s wedding is coming up. You’re welcome to come, but I’ll understand if you don’t. After this, let’s keep our distance. I don’t want anyone interfering with my daughter’s happiness.”
• Ellis and Rebecca had nothing to say.
• Rowan had already been as gracious as he could be by not breaking off relations entirely.
• “No, I can’t accept this,” Aiden said, looking desperately at Isla. “You’re mine. How can you marry another man?”
• Rowan glared at him. “What, you want to fight again?”
• “You idiot,” Ellis stood up, grabbing Aiden by the collar. “If you touch Isla again, I’ll cut your hands off myself.”