CHAPTER 72: DYING INSIDE

Days passed and preparations for Alpha Maxwell and Deborah’s wedding were in full swing. The date was also moved a week later to give everyone more time. This time more guests were invited especially from the business world especially that Alpha Maxwell was already cooperating with everything related to the wedding.

His family were astonished by the sudden change in his attitude towards the wedding. He used to vehemently oppose the wedding and sulk a lot but now he is very cooperative.

The news of their wedding was already published in leading news outlets and the public was not surprised because it had been a long overdue affair.

Meanwhile...

At Greene’s residence, Naomi’s wedding to Edison was also made public. She did the same thing. She stopped complaining and chose to cooperate with wedding preparations, wanting it to end quickly so she could finally divorce her husband and be reunited with the love of her life, Alpha Maxwell.

Naomi’s wedding to Edison will take place a few days before Alpha Maxwell and Deborah’s wedding.

Days pass quickly.

The night before Naomi’s wedding, the couple were chatting when Zero sent them a message, urging them to come to the Windowless Lover chatroom.

The couple reluctantly obliged Zero.

Alpha Maxwell: Zero, I already told you not to disturb us anymore. Why are you doing this?

Zero: I’m sorry about my intrusion guys, but the bosses have a last offer to Naomi if she doesn’t want the wedding to happen at all.

Naomi: What is it? Speak!

Zero: My men can infiltrate your house by planting a fake waiter to serve food to your guests. If you agree, these men will take you away so no wedding can take place. Will you accept the management’s last minute plan?

Naomi: Thanks for the offer, Zero. But... I cannot bear to bring shame and sorrow to my family. The wedding will continue as planned.

Zero: Oh, that is sad, dear. You would rather suffer in pain silently while the rest of the people around you are smiling happily celebrating a wedding you don’t like?

Naomi: Yeah, that’s more like it. So be it. I already agreed to the wedding... I can’t back out now and I don’t have plans to play the runaway bride tomorrow. Sure, I will suffer pain and sorrow but it will be temporary.

Zero: Oh... okay. I respect your decision, dear. How about you Alpha Maxwell? We can do the same for you. We will lend you a helping hand so you can escape your house before the wedding takes place. Will you accept management’s plan in your favor?

Alpha Maxwell: No. I already cooperated with the wedding and I won’t let anything and anyone destroy that moment. Our family’s reputation and prestige will suffer if the wedding does not push through. The guests had already been invited. It’s too late to back out. Just like Naomi said, the pain will be temporary, it won’t last forever.

Zero: Oh, this is sad... I feel sad for you both. I apologize for my intrusion. But before I go, I just want to ask you this question. Do you still love each other? Are you planning to reunite with each other someday?

Alpha Maxwell: Yes, of course we do. But this time we will do it in our own way, no more interference from you and your bosses. So please leave us alone Zero. We want to fight our own battles without anyone’s help and intervention. Do you understand?

Zero: Is this true, Naomi dear?

Naomi: Yes, it is true. This time we want to do it our way.

Alpha Maxwell: Yup. That’s why we no longer need your assistance, Zero. I hope you will respect our wishes and stop bothering us.

Zero: Ah okay. This is really over. I get it guys. Alright, I’m leaving the chat now. I wish you good luck with your wedding. That’s all and please give my love to baby Jacob. Bye bye. Adios!

Naomi: Bye Zero

Alpha Maxwell: Bye dude and get a life!

Zero: Yes, I will. Byeeeee!

Zero left the Windowless Lover chat group.

The couple switched to private chat and discussed their couple plan further. After feeling sleepy, they bid each other goodnight and went to sleep, dreaming of each other.

...

The following day, the Greene family mansion was alive with activities. Everyone was busy with the wedding taking place in the garden at the back of the house.

After lunch, Naomi and Edison manage to have a private conversation amidst the flurry of activities happening around them.

"Darling, I’m happy that today I can finally marry you," he said enthusiastically.

Naomi gave him a fake smile. "Are you sure you won’t regret marrying me?"

His forehead furrowed. He was puzzled by her question. "What do you mean?"

"Just answer my question. Are you sure you won’t regret marrying me? If there is a doubt in your heart you can call off the wedding immediately and all this madness will end instantly," she said in a gloomy tone, desperate for one last remedy to solve her problem.

He raised a brow at the sudden shift in her attitude. "Huh? Why are you bringing these things up now? You still love that guy, the father of your son? If yes, then you better start forgetting about him. We will get married today and no one can stop this special event over my dead body!" he said sharply.

She inhaled deeply. "Marrying a woman who no longer loves you is a bad idea. But since you don’t want to call off this wedding, let’s continue with it. But I demand a separate bedroom from you. I no longer wish to share a bed with you," she requested calmly.

"Are you out of your mind? No way!" Edison shakes his head in annoyance. "What will your father think of your foolish demands? All married couples share one bedroom. Staying in separate bedrooms is unheard of."

"But staying in a separate bedroom is a big deal for me! I demand it!" Naomi insisted.

"I won’t agree to your stupid demands!" he retorted angrily.

"Then you can’t sleep in my room! You will stay outside!" she yelled, gnashing her teeth, not willing to compromise.

Edison sighed heavily. His jaw twitched in annoyance. "Alright, let’s just do it this way. You will sleep on the bed and I will sleep on the floor. As long as there is a pillow, blanket and floor mattress to protect my body from the cold then I’m willing to sleep on anything. Are you happy now?"

Naomi pouted. "I’ll take it. I have no choice. Why can’t we have a house on our own so we can have the entire house to ourselves? We can sleep in two separate bedrooms without anyone raising a brow with that set up? You should buy a new house for us!" she demanded.

Edison took a deep breath. "Because I’m broke and I can’t buy a new house for us to stay in, so we will stay here in your family house temporarily," he replied morosely.

"Fine!" Naomi retreated to the bathroom to sulk.

Edison left the room, furious.

Naomi left the bathroom. She lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling, feeling restless. She went to the window and looked down. The backyard was already transformed into a beautiful garden, ready for the wedding to start. Sadly, the beauty of the place failed to make her happy because her heart was dying every second, dreading the moment she would walk down the aisle and marry the wrong person.

She took a deep breath, calming herself. Anytime now people will come to the room to apply makeup to her face to prepare her for the wedding.

The wedding ceremony will start at 4:00 p.m.

Since she can’t stop the wedding anymore from happening she might as well get herself physically and emotionally ready. She went to the bathroom and took a shower to get ready for the wedding. She won’t disappoint the two families today, especially her father.

When the beautician arrived to fix her appearance she was already wearing her wedding gown. A simple princess cut bridal gown made up of a tight fitting bodice and a fluffy skirt.

After her makeup was done, Naomi left her bedroom and went downstairs. Her entire family looked great in their wedding attire. She flashed them a fake smile, looking happy outside but miserable inside.

This is her second wedding, the saddest one. Her first wedding was amazing because she felt happy getting married to the man she truly loved, Alpha Maxwell.

When the wedding march started, she walked down the aisle sporting a fake smile on her face, heading to the center of the garden where the officiating minister and Edison were waiting for her.

When she reached the two men, the wedding ceremony began.

She didn’t remember much about the wedding ceremony. She functions like a robot with her monotonous reply. She played her part well like a seasoned actress, projecting a happy and radiant bride to satisfy the guests and the two families.

After the wedding ceremony was over, food and drinks flowed endlessly at the wedding reception. Everyone was having a good time. She and Edison made rounds to the tables and thanked the guests for attending their wedding.

After they finished thanking everyone, the newlywed couple returned to their table. With nothing to do, Naomi began tasting the food placed palatably on their table, trying to enjoy the delicious dishes despite her loss of appetite.

After she finished eating, she began drinking wine, glass after glass like water.

"Stop drinking too much wine, my darling wife. This is our wedding day. There are many guests around us. You might get drunk and make a mess of yourself," Edison warned her.

"Go to your friends and family, have a good time with them. I will be fine here on my own," she responded dryly, trying to send him away. She wants to deal with her pain alone and drinking wine is the only way she can forget today’s sad event.

Determined that his wife would not cause a mess tonight, Edison removed the wine bottle from their table and gave it to the passing waiter.

"Why did you take away the bottle of wine? I’m not done drinking yet!" she hissed angrily into his face.

"Enough! You can’t get drunk tonight. There are still many visitors around us. Wait until they leave and go home. You can drink all you want in our room," he said, preventing her from leaving the table, fearing she might cause an ugly scene.

Naomi bit her lower lip out of frustration. When people started looking at them, she flashed them a fake smile.

She had no choice but to continue to behave like a happy bride. She smiled at everyone who looked her way, patiently waiting for everyone to go home.