Chapter 77: Wave her goodbye

Chapter 77: Wave her goodbye

The mansion’s front courtyard buzzed with restrained activity that morning. Staff lined up neatly along the paved drive, some holding their hands behind their backs, others clasping them in front, all watching as Gwen descended the front steps in dark sunglasses and a fitted travel coat.

A few suitcases had already been loaded into the waiting black SUV, the engine humming softly as if impatient to leave. The air felt tense in a way that had nothing to do with travel and everything to do with the people standing there pretending this was a normal goodbye.

“Safe travels, Miss Gwen,” one of the housekeepers said politely.

Gwen smiled, thin and casual. “Thank you. I’ll be back before you know it.”

Tennessee stood a few steps away, his hands in his pockets, his expression said he wouldn’t miss her. “Dad needs you focused,” he said. “India isn’t a vacation.”

Gwen tilted her head. “I know that. I’m going for him, not for sightseeing.”

Yvonne stood beside Audrey, her hands resting on the wheelchair handles. Audrey had insisted on coming outside despite Yvonne’s concern. She sat straight, her face calm, her eyes fixed on Gwen as if she were studying her, memorizing something invisible to everyone else.

Gwen glanced in Audrey’s direction briefly. “Take care of yourself,” she said, her voice light. “I hope you feel better soon.”

Audrey didn’t respond.

Tennessee noticed the silence and shifted uncomfortably. “The driver’s ready,” he said, more to end the moment than anything else.

Gwen took a step toward the car. That was when the gates burst open.

It happened fast, loud, chaotic. A group of people surged into the courtyard, cameras raised, microphones shoved forward, voices overlapping. Security shouted too late. Flashes went off like fireworks.

“There she is!”

“Mrs. Whitmore!”

“Over here!”

Audrey blinked, startled, her body stiffening in the wheelchair as the reporters rushed toward her instead of Gwen. Cameras zoomed in, lenses inches from her face. Microphones hovered near her mouth.

“How does it feel losing your legs just weeks after marrying a billionaire?” one reporter asked sharply.

“Do you think this marriage is cursed?” another voice added.

“Was the money worth it?” someone else shouted. “Or would you rather have your legs back?”

Yvonne gasped. “Are you people insane?” she snapped, stepping forward instinctively. “Get out of her face!”

Audrey’s hands clenched on the armrests. Her chest rose and fell slowly. She didn’t scream. She didn’t cry. She simply looked at them, her eyes dark.

“Mrs. Whitmore,” a female reporter pressed, lowering her microphone closer, “did you marry Izo for love or for security? Now that you’re disabled, do you think he’ll still want you?”

Tennessee snapped.

“Get them out of here!” he shouted. “Now!”

Guards rushed in, pushing reporters back, trying to form a barrier. “Move back! This is private property!”

“But she’s in public view!” someone yelled.

Flashes continued popping. Audrey’s face was broadcast-worthy now: rich, broken, silent.

Tennessee crouched beside her. “Audrey, let’s go inside,” he said urgently. “You don’t need this.”

She looked at him then, really looked at him, her gaze sharp. “Don’t touch me.”

He froze.

“I said let’s go,” he insisted, reaching for the wheelchair handles.

Audrey slapped his hand away. “No.”

The guards finally forced the reporters back toward the gates, voices still shouting questions as they were dragged away. The noise slowly faded, leaving behind a ringing silence.

Tennessee stood, breathing hard. “I was trying to help.”

“I know,” Audrey said quietly. “But I want Yvonne.”

Yvonne immediately stepped closer. “I’m here.”

Audrey nodded once. “Take me inside.”

Tennessee hesitated. “Audrey…”

“I said Yvonne,” she repeated, her tone final.

Yvonne pushed the wheelchair gently, guiding her away from the courtyard. As they moved, Audrey didn’t look back, not at the reporters, not at the mansion, not even at Gwen.

Behind them, Gwen watched the scene with a small smile hidden behind her sunglasses. As the chaos settled and the guards returned to their positions, she adjusted her coat and turned toward the car.

One of the reporters, lingering near the gate, caught her eye.

Gwen winked.

She mouthed, “Thank you.”

Then she slid into the back seat of the SUV.

The door closed. The engine revved. The car pulled away smoothly, disappearing down the drive toward the airport, toward India, toward Izo.

Yvonne pushed Audrey down the long hallway in silence. Audrey’s face remained composed, but her hands trembled slightly in her lap.

Neither of them spoke. Behind them, Tennessee stood alone in the courtyard, watching the empty drive where Gwen’s car had been, his jaw tight, unease settling deep in his chest.

"Hello?" He made a phone call. "My sister is on her way to him."

He looked around. "I'll let you know." He sighed, ending the phone call.