Chapter 4

4: 4

I didn't reply after that.

The others had already started discussing which dates would be good for a wedding.

Simon glanced back at me several times to gauge my reaction.

Afraid I'd think it was all too fast, he looked ready to open his mouth and make excuses again.

I gave him a reassuring look.

I wasn't against marrying Simon. I wanted to settle down soon too.

In the end, they agreed on a date ten days out.

I looked at the date.

It was the same day Harvey and I had originally talked about.

Even now, Harvey was still there at Minnie's side, with no idea that I'd changed my mind long ago.

I thought of the promise Harvey had made me.

Wait for him to marry me.

Wait for him to make me his wife.

I had waited and waited. Now it would never happen.

After dinner, we each went our own way home.

Since I had my own place, I took a cab back alone.

When I reached my door, I found two people standing there.

More precisely, one standing and one being held up.

Harvey saw me, and something flickered in his eyes.

"Nora, you're finally back. We've been waiting a long time."

He steadied Minnie and turned her to face me.

"Minnie knows she held us up again, so she insisted I come apologize to you."

"She's got an injured leg and she's still this thoughtful..."

The tenderness in Harvey's eyes was impossible to hide.

I looked down at their tightly laced fingers.

There were rings on Minnie's ring finger and Harvey's both.

I recognized the style at a glance. It was the one Harvey had told me he was having made for me.

I never wore it. Minnie did.

Catching my gaze, Harvey drew his hand back a little.

"Minnie thought it looked interesting, so I let her try it on..."

I couldn't help a small laugh.

"A try-on that fits this perfectly. Looks like you two really are a match made in heaven."

Harvey frowned, put out. "Don't talk like that. You know it's you I'm going to marry."

Minnie pressed her lips together, looking wounded, then spoke up with stubborn resolve.

"Nora, I know you hate me, but Harvey is innocent in all this."

"I want you both to be happy too. I'll be there on your wedding day."

She looked on the verge of tears.

As if I were the one who had stolen the love of her life.

Harvey moved Minnie behind him.

"Nora, don't make things hard for her. We'll be family soon. I still hope you can be generous about this."

I nodded, picked up my phone, and sent Harvey a hotel location.

"The wedding's in ten days. I've sent the location to your phone."

Harvey blinked, not expecting me to actually be so gracious, his face lighting up with delight.

"Nora, I knew you'd understand me. I'll be there on time."

"I'm going to take Minnie back for her medicine now. We'll keep in touch by phone."

But the look on Minnie's face had soured.

She wanted to say something, and Harvey pulled her away by the hand.

Before they left, Minnie shot me a defiant look.

I didn't give either of them a second thought.

I was busy the next several days.

Ten days really was cutting it close, but luckily the Simmons family had prepared a great deal in advance.

Simon took me to buy the diamond ring, and we registered the marriage.

In between, Harvey only found a moment here and there to send me a few messages.

Before long, the wedding day arrived.

At the venue, the bridal photo of Simon and me was posted at the hotel's front doors.

Very sweet.

Guests and relatives took their seats one after another.

The ceremony began, and Simon and I exchanged rings.

That was when Harvey appeared, half an hour late.

He shoved the doors open in his suit and rushed in, his eyes locking straight onto me.

"Nora, what's with the poster at the door?"

"Why is he the groom?!"