Chapter 11

Gavin's words hit right where it hurt most, leaving me stunned and speechless. I stared at him in disbelief, as though the man before me was someone I no longer recognized. I couldn't help but think back to the Gavin I knew during our university days—charming, composed, and admired by everyone. He and Tom were known as the "Twin Stars of Fuvine University", revered for their looks, character, and achievements. There wasn't a girl on campus who didn't have a crush on them. But now everything had changed. Even my youthful, fervent love for him seemed like nothing more than a fleeting illusion. Gavin must have taken my silence as an acquiescence. He let out a small sigh of relief and pulled me into his arms, his voice soft and pleading. "I promise you, Mandy and I are nothing. Please, just trust me." I was just about to push him away when his phone began to vibrate in his pocket. And when I saw the name on the caller ID, I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. It was Mandy. Again. "Answer it," I said as I stepped back from his embrace. Disappointment upon disappointment had left me numb. I hadn't realized how easy it was to erode a decade of love. Gavin frowned, ignoring the call and hanging up. But Mandy wasn't the type to give up. The phone buzzed again, and Gavin once more declined the call. Again, and again, she called. I stood there watching the scene unfold, unable to suppress a humorless chuckle. When the phone rang again, I grabbed it from Gavin's hands and quickly hung up, blocking her number in one swift motion. Gavin froze, staring at me in surprise for a moment before the corners of his lips lifted into a smile. "Well, that's one way to keep things quiet." I hadn't expected him to remain so calm about me blocking Mandy. He softened his tone as he tried to placate me. "I was wrong today. I shouldn't have left you alone at the hospital without telling you. I promise it won't happen again." In the past, his rare moments of humility would have made me giddy with joy. But now, all I felt was exhaustion. With Elizabeth's condition so fragile, I couldn't risk upsetting her. All I wanted now was for the wedding to proceed smoothly so she could be happy, even if it was just for a little while. As for everything else—I didn't have the energy to care anymore. "There won't be a next time, Gavin," I said firmly. Seeing that I wasn't entirely dismissing him, he quickly nodded. "There won't be, I swear." … Preparations for the wedding proceeded in an orderly fashion. Perhaps out of guilt, Gavin spent the next few days at home with me, helping choose invitations, picking out candies, and going over other wedding details. During this time, Mandy seemed to vanish, no longer calling or causing a fuss. Perhaps it was because she was still blocked. Her sudden silence felt out of character, almost unsettling. But, true to form, Mandy wasn't one to stay quiet for long. Three days before the wedding, she showed up at the Gould residence—arriving in my father-in-law Victor's car, no less. "I ran into Mandy on the way," Victor explained with a beaming smile. "So I thought, why not bring her along to help out?" "Come in, come in, Mandy," he said, gesturing warmly. "Make yourself comfortable. What would you like to drink? I'll have someone get it for you." Mandy smiled graciously as she took a seat on the sofa. "Thank you, Mr. Gould. No need to trouble yourself. I'm just here to help." I watched the exchange with a calm yet cold detachment. Help? She was clearly here to stir up trouble. I turned to Gavin to gauge his reaction, but he remained focused on the iPad in his hands, meticulously reviewing the menu for the wedding banquet, as though Mandy didn't exist. I was taken aback by his apparent indifference. This was the same man who used to fret over a tiny cut on Mandy's finger as though the sky were falling. "What about this?" Gavin asked, sliding the iPad toward me. "I think your mom would like this dish." I glanced at the screen and shook my head. "It's a bit spicy. My mom can't handle spicy food right now." Suddenly, Mandy chimed in. "Gavin, you remember I used to love this dish when we were in school?" Gavin finally looked up, his expression icy. "No one asked you. Shut up." Mandy pouted but didn't seem offended. "What's the big deal? I'll say whatever I want!" Gavin ignored her and went back to his iPad. Unfazed, Mandy grinned and continued, "Wow, you're still mad? I was just messing with you the other day. We used to tease each other like this all the time back in school. Since when did you become such a grump? Aren't you supposed to be a man?" "You're the one who isn't a man!" Gavin snapped, clearly flustered. Mandy burst into laughter. "Obviously, I'm not a man! Hahaha!" Their banter, so familiar and easy, made me feel like an outsider. "Gracie, let's go upstairs," Gavin said abruptly, taking my hand and standing up. Surprised, I allowed him to lead me toward the stairs. As we walked away, I glanced back at Mandy, who stood frozen, her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes flashing with barely concealed anger. For the first time, seeing her frustrated made me feel a small sense of satisfaction. Upstairs, Gavin sat beside me on the bed, continuing to go through the menu options. As I watched him, my heart wavered once more. "What's on your mind?" he asked, noticing my silence. He reached over to ruffle my hair affectionately. "Are you tired? If you don't feel like deciding, I can have my mom handle it." "Okay," I agreed. After all, Amelia had far more experience with such things. Setting the iPad aside, Gavin looked at me expectantly. Taking a deep breath, I finally mustered my courage. "After the wedding, let's go to the hospital together. I want to get a full check-up." If the wedding went as planned, my position as the rightful Mrs. Gould would be solidified, and I wouldn't have to live in the shadows anymore. And then, I wouldn't mind giving the Gould family double the joy—both a wedding and a baby announcement. "That sounds like a good idea," Gavin said, nodding. "Medical science has come a long way. With proper care, I'm sure we'll have a baby soon." He had misunderstood, but I didn't correct him. Once the test results were out, he would know the truth. He was going to be a father. The thought made me smile involuntarily. "Mm."