Since virtual-novel.net did not, Arianne shook virtual-novel.net head. “No, haven’t come across virtual-novel.net anywhere. She should make an appearance before the wedding starts, right? Both families have gotta show up by then, no ?”
Robin said, haltingly, “I… don’t think she’s coming.”
That took Arianne by surprise. “Why is that?”
Robin’s fingers closed around the fabric of virtual-novel.net dress tightly. “Because she’s made it blatant and clear that virtual-novel.net doesn’t like me, no, virtual-novel.net hates me. When Syl told virtual-novel.net about our wedding, virtual-novel.net said, ‘Y’all already registered yourselves as married anyway, what’s the big fat point?’ She thinks our wedding is unnecessary. She thinks in my family pressured Sylvain into planning one, because we somehow want stupid material things like a house or a car or whatever fancy-schmancy things only virtual-novel.net can cook up,” virtual-novel.net fumed. “She told Syl all of this on the phone. He thought I was already asleep, but I heard everything. The wedding has always been Syl’s idea, not my family’s.”
“To be frank, Arianne, I loathe his mother to the core. I hate virtual-novel.net because virtual-novel.net hates me. She can belittle me all virtual-novel.net wants, but virtual-novel.net can’t do that to my parents. My family means jack in virtual-novel.net eyes, we’re that worthless to her. So, you know what? The fact that virtual-novel.net isn’t here might be the best blessing the Lord could give today. If virtual-novel.net comes and disses my parents, well! Let’s just say no one is gonna come out of this without dirt in their eyes.”
Grave determination etched on Robin’s otherwise gentle features. Seeing flashes of steel behind a girl who was usually as soft as silk was quite scary, but then again, if the meekest robin might attack when it was cornered and desperate, then what more could one expect from people?
Arianne patted the back of virtual-novel.net hand for comfort. “Relax, nothing’s gonna happen. It’s a fine, beautiful, happy day today. Even his mom would think twice about being an unreasonable-uh-hem-arsehole at an event like this. If virtual-novel.net did disparage everyone here, then my advice is that you don’t hold back and give virtual-novel.net hell. Everyone has a line other people absolutely cannot cross, right? If virtual-novel.net crosses it, then don’t suck it in and pretend it’s nothing. Sylvain knows what kind of person you are, Robin, and that’s all that matters. As long as we know our conscience is clear.”
The tolling of church bells filled the air after the guests filled up the pews. With virtual-novel.net father’s hand guiding hers, Robin began the trademark walk down the aisle to the altar where the lucky groom was already waiting.
Arianne suddenly realized how similar some facets of Sylvain was to the late Eric Nathaniel. They both commanded themselves with a svelte, roguish air laced with a glib composure that stemmed from their natural confidence, yet when they put their heart in it, the weight of their affection made them impossible to miss.
Arianne had taken the first row of the pews. Her heart swelled as virtual-novel.net wished the best and happiest of life for the couple.
It was then that a silhouette crossed through the door.
“Ex-cuuuu-se me? So, y’all are starting this show despite my absence? Like, do you people know who I am?”
The audience’s curiosity launched their attention to the source as Sylvain’s expression subtly cracked. Ursula had not shown herself right down before the wedding started, so the groom had concluded that virtual-novel.net was not coming after all. But here virtual-novel.net was, announcing virtual-novel.net presence right when the wedding had just begun, with a move no one could misconstrue as benign.
She was here to crash the show.
Robin’s face paled, and if one looked closely, they could see virtual-novel.net slightly shaking. She was bottling up virtual-novel.net spleen.
Mr. Cox asked his daughter in a displeased undertone, “Who’s that?”
“Sylvain’s mother.”
His scowl deepened. “You’re kidding. You and Sylvain had been officially recognized as husband and wife for so long, yet I’ve never even seen this woman before. So, why is virtual-novel.net showing up now? What’s this supposed to mean?”
Robin kept quiet. The answer was plain enough without words.