Chapter 366 Uninvited Guest

Chapter 366 Uninvited Guest

Oliver had arranged everything for the wedding. Though it was complicated, thanks to his thoughtfulness, Daniela didn't need to worry about a thing.

A week later, the wedding day arrived as scheduled.

Zachary hosted the wedding. Whether from the business world or cultural circles, everyone who could be invited had been arranged by Zachary for Oliver.

People were happy to show respect to the Jennings family, making the wedding an unprecedented grand affair.

In the dressing room, Daniela had already changed into her wedding dress, with Quinley and Martha staying by her side the whole time.

Unable to contain her curiosity, she went to the door and peeked outside, which gave her quite a shock.

Outside was a sea of people—everywhere she looked, there were people.

"I'm so nervous."

Daniela said, clutching her chest.

Quinley laughed. She walked over to Daniela and looked at her carefully. "Being nervous is normal. Today you're the most beautiful woman here. Seeing you look so gorgeous, I'm kind of regretting that I got married so casually back then."

Quinley was deliberately joking.

Daniela blushed shyly again. "I'm used to wearing pants. Wearing a dress makes me uncomfortable all over. This wedding dress is so heavy and complicated—I can't wait to take it off."

She kept her voice very low, but Martha still heard her.

She immediately put on a stern face and said to Daniela, "You absolutely cannot say things like that. So many people dream of experiencing what you're experiencing today. From now on, you need to cherish this. Being with Mr. Oliver, you need to learn to be a good wife and mother. Only then can you..."

Martha launched into her earnest teachings again.

But before she could finish, Daniela interrupted her.

"Mom, please give me a break today. I'm the bride today."

Martha was left speechless, the words on the tip of her tongue left unsaid.

Quinley laughed and took Martha's arm. "Martha, don't worry. Daniela has Oliver wrapped around her finger. Daniela is so excellent—she just needs to be herself and doesn't need to think about all that. Besides, if Oliver ever wrongs Daniela, Zachary and I will be the first to stand up for her."

"Yes, I know."

Martha replied, grabbing Daniela's hand and holding it tightly.

"Mom, I understand."

Daniela suddenly felt a lump in her throat because she noticed Martha's eyes had turned red.

"Martha, Daniela isn't marrying far away—she's actually closer now. You should be happy. Daniela needs to make her entrance. Let's go wait up front together."

Martha nodded heavily, then turned back reluctantly.

Daniela was strong. She took a deep breath, composed herself, and followed a staff member to the entrance position.

Quinley accompanied Martha and sat down in the center front row. Just as they settled in, she spotted Wise and Elise.

Quinley hadn't seen Wise in a long time. She quickly walked over.

"When did you get back?"

Quinley looked delighted.

After almost two years, Wise had grown into a young man. Dressed in a suit, he looked tall and handsome.

"Quinley, I just got back yesterday. I wanted to come see you right away, but Mom said you've been busy these past few days, so I came here instead. How are you and my brother-in-law? And Riley?"

After two years studying abroad, Wise had returned with a more mature and steady presence. Quinley held onto Wise and couldn't help looking him over a few more times.

"We're all doing well. Did you pass your thesis defense? Have you decided whether to come back or stay abroad?"

Quinley chatted with him enthusiastically.

Wise smiled bashfully. "I haven't decided yet. I've gotten several offers, but I'm still thinking it over."

As they were talking, Quinley unexpectedly saw Teresa.

She was wearing a beige cocktail dress, looking gentle and charming, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Sit for a bit. I'm going to say hello to a friend."

Quinley said, then quickly walked toward Teresa.

Oliver's wedding was a major occasion. Quinley hadn't expected Teresa would actually come.

"Ms. Winters."

Quinley reached out and tapped Teresa's shoulder.

She was standing at the very back of the venue, in an inconspicuous spot that was hard to notice.

Teresa was slightly startled. She turned to look at Quinley, her expression instantly becoming uncomfortable.

"Mrs. Jennings."

Quinley showed a gentle smile. "I didn't expect you to come. Does Oliver know?"

Teresa shook her head. "He doesn't know. I didn't want to tell him. Besides, he didn't invite me—I came on my own. Even though I can't marry him and be the one standing on stage with him receiving everyone's blessings, I still wish him happiness."

"I thank you on Oliver's behalf."

Quinley said sincerely.

Neither of them spoke. Their eyes were both fixed on the center of the stage.

Oliver was holding Daniela's hand, walking under the spotlight. The man was tall and handsome, the woman beautiful and graceful—this was their most radiant moment.

The emcee's rich voice enhanced the atmosphere, and the electronic screen displayed photos of the couple's journey together.

When it was time for the groom and bride to exchange vows, Teresa's eyes turned red.

Quinley saw this but didn't say much. She simply quietly handed over a tissue.

"Thank you."

Teresa took the tissue and pressed it to her eyes, letting the tears fall directly onto it.

"If you want to cry, go ahead. After you cry, let it go and pursue your own happiness." Quinley comforted her.

Teresa gave a bitter smile. "I've known Oliver for ten years. I never knew he liked playing games, and that he already had someone he liked in the game. I thought he didn't understand love, didn't want love, so I kept traveling the world with him. Whatever he wanted to do, I always supported him unconditionally. I confessed my feelings, he rejected me, but I didn't give up—I kept waiting. But love can't be waited for."

"When I chose to leave, I was actually giving him a chance to ask me to stay. I thought that after all these years, he might have gotten used to having me around. If I suddenly left, he might feel uncomfortable, and that discomfort might make him appreciate what I'd done for him. I kept all my communication channels open, waiting every moment for him to tell me to come back."

Teresa gave a bitter smile as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Quinley didn't interrupt her. Everyone has a place in their heart where they hide their wounds. If she was willing to talk about it, listening was the best comfort.

"Listening to this now, you must think I'm really stupid, right? I spent ten years of my youth waiting for him to love me, and in the end, he gave the love I dreamed of to someone else. From the moment I found out he was getting married, my world collapsed. I think I'll never be able to love another man for the rest of my life."

Teresa spoke these pessimistic words.

Only after she finished did Quinley speak. "Ms. Winters, thank you for telling me all this. Losing Oliver isn't necessarily your loss. I believe that a woman as excellent and devoted as you will definitely find happiness that truly belongs to you."

Teresa nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Jennings. I'm leaving now."

With that, she turned and walked out.

Quinley didn't stop her, just watched her leave.

"Quinley, Mom is calling you over."

Wise suddenly appeared in front of Quinley. He stared in the direction Teresa had left and asked, "Who was that person?"

"A friend."

Quinley replied casually.

She quickly walked toward where Elise was sitting, not noticing that Wise was following Teresa's retreating figure outside.

The moment Teresa walked out of the wedding venue, her tears began flowing like a broken dam.

Today, she had come here to say goodbye to her youth.

She had learned about Oliver's wedding from others. He had invited many people, but not her.

By all rights, she shouldn't have appeared at such an occasion, but she came anyway.

Only by seeing with her own eyes the man she'd loved for ten years marry his happiness would she finally give up.

But when she actually saw that scene, her heart felt like it was being stabbed into pieces by a knife.

Outside the hotel, it had started raining at some point—pouring rain, coming down everywhere, much like the night she decided to resign and leave Rosewood City.

She stood at the entrance, looking up at the sky.

She couldn't see anything clearly, only the chaotic sound of rain, making sad, sobbing sounds.

The excitement and happiness belonged to others, and she didn't deserve it.

Bareheaded, she rushed into the rain.

Wise, as if possessed, had followed her out and happened to see this scene. Without thinking, he also rushed in, then scooped Teresa up in his arms and strode back to the entrance.

"What are you doing?"

Teresa was frightened and frantically slapped at Wise.

But he paid no attention, carrying Teresa out of the rain before gently setting her down.

"The rain is heavy outside. If you get soaked like that, you'll get sick."

His tall, slender figure enveloped Teresa, making her seem even more delicate. Her makeup had run all over her face—whether from tears or rain, it covered her face.

Of course, Wise wasn't much better off. Just now, while protecting Teresa on the way back, his suit had gotten completely soaked, and his styled hair was now plastered messily to his forehead.

But he grinned, showing a bright smile.

"Mind your own business!"

Teresa was furious and yelled at Wise.

She tried to rush back into the rain, but Wise was quick and grabbed her wrist. She struggled fiercely, like a trapped animal.

"What exactly do you want to do? Let go of me."

"Don't go out in the rain. You'll really get sick."

Wise tried to persuade her again.

Unable to shake Wise off, Teresa lowered her head and bit down on his wrist.

She used a lot of force. Wise winced in pain, his face contorting.

But he didn't make any move to stop her.

Finally, she released her bite. On Wise's wrist was a row of teeth marks with blood seeping through.

Teresa looked at those marks and said mockingly to Wise, "Are you an idiot? It hurts so much—why didn't you push me away?"

"You didn't do it on purpose. I'm thick-skinned. If you're still not satisfied, you can have this arm too."

As Wise spoke, he actually offered his other arm to Teresa.

She looked up at the big boy in front of her. In him, Teresa seemed to see herself from years ago.

Back then, hadn't she treated Oliver the same way?

"Kid, I hate simps. Got that? I'm busy and don't have time to play with you."

She suddenly pushed Wise. Caught off guard, he stumbled backward several steps.

Teresa rushed back into the rain.

The cold raindrops beat randomly on her face, that pain from outside to inside gradually surrounding her.

She walked forward unsteadily, mixing all the tears she hadn't yet shed with the rainwater.

But Teresa never expected that when she suddenly turned around, Wise was stubbornly following behind her.

She was soaked like a drowned rat, wet from head to toe.

And Wise was the same, completely drenched.

She looked at him and roared, "Are you crazy? Why are you following me? Do you even know who I am? What exactly do you want?"

Wise seemed scared. He stood there, not saying a word.

Teresa, tired of yelling, stubbornly walked forward again.

However, when she reached the next intersection and looked back, she saw Wise had followed again.

"What exactly do you want by following me? Kid, I don't want to date. Listen carefully—you're not my type. Not a chance."

Teresa shouted loudly.

Wise still didn't respond from beginning to end.

"Let me take you home."

After hesitating for a long time, Wise finally managed to say something.

But this sentence instantly made Teresa break down again.

She had no home in Rosewood City.

"Take me home? Where is my home? You tell me where my home is?" She sneered and roared at Wise.

"Wherever there's love can be home. Don't be so sad. His not choosing you isn't your loss."

It turned out that Wise had seen everything when Teresa was staring at the scene on stage.

Teresa hugged her arms, her head drooping. Her pride, her persistence—now all that remained was complete dishevelment.

"None of your business."

She threw out those four words, kicked off her shoes, and strode forward.

Seeing this, Wise quickly caught up. Without Teresa's permission, he scooped her up horizontally.

"Put me down."

Teresa struggled again.

"Once I get you to the hotel, I'll put you down."

He spoke firmly, then stopped caring whether Teresa was still struggling and strode toward the hotel.

Perhaps because she was tired, Teresa finally gave up struggling. She buried herself in Wise's arms and cried like a child.

The rain was too loud, covering the sound of her crying.

The raindrops were too heavy, mixing with the tears flowing from her eyes.

Only Wise knew that that night, his chest felt burning hot.

Soon, he brought her into the hotel.

He got Teresa a room, ran hot water, placed her in the bathtub, and then left.

Teresa just curled up in the bathtub, the hot water gradually dispelling the chill from her body.

But she was like a soulless body, numbly leaning there.

About an hour later, Wise returned.

He was carrying a bag and said to Teresa from outside the bathroom, "I went to buy you some clothes. I'm leaving them at the door. Take them in and try them on to see if they're your size. If there's a problem, I'll go exchange them now."

Wise's voice was very gentle, drawing Teresa's wandering soul back.

The water in the bathtub had long gone cold, just like her heart.

She got up from inside, wrapped herself in a bathrobe, then barefoot, opened the bathroom door.

Wise was still wearing those soaking wet clothes, but he wasn't standing outside the bathroom. Instead, he was by the window inside, his back to Teresa, water dripping from his sleeves.

Teresa walked toward him step by step, like approaching her younger self from years ago.

Suddenly, she opened her arms and hugged this tense, trembling body from behind.