Matt is shocked and finds it hard to believe that someone actually ran away from their own wedding, leaving the bride behind. Betty shares the concern, questioning the groom’s intentions while Evelyn and others anxiously await the ceremony, which is only ten minutes away. Kellan explains that Mr. Larkin told him to settle the guests for now and that they would know what to do when the time came, but the group remains uneasy and uncertain about what will happen next.

Janice tries to contact Ariel but finds the line dead, leaving her feeling betrayed and unsure if Ariel truly considered her a friend. She then notices Wade has arrived, and Alicia appears alongside him, greeting Janice warmly. Despite a flicker of unease, Janice acknowledges Alicia politely. Chad joins Janice and bluntly tells her to stop being foolish, then offers to sit with her since she is Wade’s fiancée. Janice hesitates, worried about intruding because Wade is with someone else, but Chad’s smirk suggests she’s more aware than she lets on.

Inside the venue, Wade and Alicia prepare to enter, with Alicia gently urging Wade to check on Janice, but he dismisses the idea. The guests take their seats in a beautifully lit hall with a calming mountain view, yet the bride and groom are still missing. Confused murmurs spread through the crowd as anxiety rises, especially for Janice, who fears Ariel might be unfairly blamed for the strange situation.

Suddenly, a large screen lights up, showing a video of a younger Jayson during a high school graduation ceremony. Evelyn recognizes him immediately, and Janice spots Ariel in the footage, holding a bouquet of yellow roses. The video captures a tender moment where Jayson, looking young and confident, addresses Ariel directly, congratulating her on her graduation and explaining that he sent her the flowers anonymously because she seemed afraid of him. The guests watch in stunned silence, absorbing the unexpected glimpse into the past.

Matt’s brow furrowed as he absorbed Kellan’s words, a sharp hiss escaping his lips. “He actually ran away from the wedding? That can’t be right.” The idea seemed impossible to him. Who would just bolt from their own wedding, leaving their bride behind?

Betty’s face tightened with concern. “What exactly is he thinking? What could he possibly be planning?” she asked, her voice low but tense.

Evelyn and the others turned their attention toward the hallway, their expressions a mix of confusion and apprehension. The clock was ticking—only ten minutes remained until the ceremony was supposed to begin.

Kellan swiped a hand across his forehead, damp with sweat. He felt as though he had lived through countless moments, yet nothing had prepared him for this bizarre situation. “Mr. Larkin told me to settle the guests for now. He said we’d know what to do when the time came,” he explained, trying to keep his voice steady.

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the uncertainty hanging thick in the air. They had no idea what was coming next, but there was no other option but to trust the plan. After all, the couple had disappeared without a trace. No one knew where they had gone.

Betty shook her head decisively. “Forget it. We have to trust Jayson on this,” she declared firmly. The entire event had been meticulously arranged. No matter what, they had to see it through.

Janice rubbed her temple in frustration and hurriedly dialed Ariel’s number, but the line was dead. She stood frozen, speechless and stunned. Had Ariel really considered her a friend? If so, why hadn’t she confided in her?

As Janice turned around, she spotted Wade, who had already arrived at the venue. Wade caught sight of her as well.

Before Janice could even compose herself, Alicia appeared gracefully behind Wade. She caught Janice’s eye, offering a warm, polite smile and a gentle wave.

Janice felt a flicker of unease but reminded herself that Alicia had done nothing wrong. There was no reason to direct her frustration over Wade onto her, so she simply nodded in acknowledgment.

Chad approached the scene, observing quietly before tapping Janice lightly on the back of her head. “Stop being such a fool,” he said bluntly without changing his expression.

Janice glared up at him, clutching her head where he had tapped.

Ignoring her glare, Chad pointed ahead. “So, do you want to sit with him or with me?”

Since Janice was now Wade’s fiancée, it made sense for her to sit beside him.

Janice’s shoulders slumped slightly as she lowered her gaze. “He’s with someone else. I don’t want to intrude,” she murmured.

Chad studied her for a moment, then stepped forward. “Looks like you’re not as clueless as you pretend to be,” he remarked with a smirk.

Janice rolled her eyes but followed him inside, forcing herself not to look back at Wade.

Wade cast a casual glance over his shoulder at Janice’s retreating figure before turning his attention back to Alicia. “Let’s go inside. It’s freezing out here,” he said.

Alicia nudged him gently. “Aren’t you going to check on Jan?”

Wade shrugged, unmoved. “No need.”

Alicia sighed softly. “Wade, you don’t have to hover over me. I can handle myself.”

His face remained calm and unreadable as he stayed close by her side.

Alicia smiled gently and linked her arm through his as they moved forward.

One by one, the guests found their seats. When the scheduled time arrived, everyone proceeded into the main hall.

The room was bathed in natural light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, which framed a breathtaking view of snow-capped mountains. The serene landscape outside seemed to soothe some of the guests’ nerves.

Yet, as the ceremony was about to begin, the bride and groom were still nowhere to be found.

Murmurs of confusion rippled through the crowd. Whispers grew louder as people exchanged puzzled looks.

Janice felt a tight knot form in her chest, anxiety rising sharply. She feared that today’s strange incident might once again be twisted into an excuse to target Ariel unfairly.

Just as her tension peaked, the massive screen at the front of the hall flickered to life, instantly capturing the attention of every whispering guest.

All eyes turned toward the stage. Even Betty and Evelyn stared, their faces marked by surprise and curiosity.

Then, a lengthy video began to play on the screen, revealing Jayson’s face.

It was a younger version of him, his youthful innocence evident in his features—something that had faded in the mature man he was now.

Evelyn recognized him immediately. “That’s Jayson, around twenty,” she murmured.

The footage appeared professionally shot, set during a graduation ceremony at Eldoria’s top high school.

In the frame, alongside Jayson’s face, a young woman holding a bouquet of yellow roses stood a little distance away among a group posing for a photo.

Janice’s eyes widened in recognition. She nudged Chad. “That’s Ariel! It’s her high school graduation!”

Everyone watched in stunned silence.

Though Jayson kept his distance from Ariel in the video, the camera seemed to reveal his feelings more clearly than words could.

Young and confident, he looked directly into the lens and spoke softly, “You’re an adult now, so I won’t hold a grudge for you calling me old. Since you seemed afraid of me, I sent you a bouquet of yellow roses anonymously. Ariel, congratulations on your graduation.”

The chapter closes on a poignant note, weaving together the threads of uncertainty, unspoken emotions, and the weight of past memories. The absence of the bride and groom casts a shadow over what should have been a joyful occasion, leaving the guests and characters grappling with confusion and hidden feelings. Through the revealing video of Jayson’s younger self, the story delicately uncovers the tender complexities beneath the surface—regret, longing, and the subtle ways love and misunderstanding intertwine.

Amidst the tension and unanswered questions, the characters are caught in a moment of reflection, their inner struggles mirrored by the silent, snowy landscape outside. The unfolding events hint at the fragile nature of trust and the courage it takes to face the past, setting the stage for deeper revelations. This chapter leaves readers suspended between hope and doubt, reminding us that sometimes, the most profound truths emerge not in grand gestures but in quiet, heartfelt acknowledgments.

The next chapter promises to deepen the mystery surrounding Jayson and Ariel’s past, peeling back layers that have remained hidden until now. As the guests watch the video, emotions will undoubtedly stir, and loyalties may be tested. The revelation of Jayson’s younger self and his subtle gesture toward Ariel hints at unresolved feelings and secrets that could reshape how everyone perceives their relationship. Expect tension to mount as the ceremony’s atmosphere shifts from confusion to something far more charged.

Meanwhile, Janice’s inner turmoil is likely to intensify, caught between her own fears and the complicated dynamics unfolding around her. The fragile alliances and simmering resentments among the characters suggest that not everyone will remain silent or passive for long. With Wade and Alicia’s interactions adding another layer of intrigue, the next chapter will explore the delicate balance between trust and suspicion, setting the stage for emotional confrontations and unexpected revelations.