Chapter 9: Danger at the Wedding Banquet
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, then Zachary sighed. "How about this - I'll give you more time to think it over. I believe your decision is just temporary."
After hanging up, I sat on the sofa lost in thought, my eyes empty and unfocused.
I was deep in my thoughts and didn't notice Tyler had walked in.
"What are you thinking about?"
I jumped, startled, and finally saw him.
"When did you come in?"
"Just now. Come with me to a wedding the day after tomorrow."
I refused without hesitation. "I'm not going. Take someone else."
As I was about to get up, he grabbed my arm, anger flashing in his eyes. "You're my wife. Who else would I take?"
Hearing those words from him made me sick. I really wanted to know how Tyler had the nerve to say something like that.
I looked up and met his gaze, finally letting out a bitter laugh. "Do you really want me to spell it out?"
Tyler just looked at me, his eyes churning with unclear emotions.
He said, "It's Dennis Gonzalez's wedding. Many classmates will be bringing their partners. If you want everyone to laugh at us, you can choose not to go."
So it was just about saving face.
I lowered my long lashes, hiding the sadness that flashed through my eyes.
Suddenly, he hugged me. I felt the warmth of his embrace and his familiar scent, and I froze.
"Sophia, from now on I'll come home every day and spend more time with you and Jasper."
I gently pulled away from his embrace. "I'll go."
It had been a long time since he'd taken me to any event where couples attended together. Before, I'd seen photos on social media of Tyler attending events with Ava.
In the past, I would have been happy, but now, I felt nothing.
-
The wedding day.
The brilliantly lit wedding venue was filled with celebrities and elites. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, and champagne glasses clinked, displaying pure luxury.
"Wedding March" echoed through the air, its melody beautiful and intoxicating.
I walked in holding Tyler's arm, and everyone's eyes focused on us. If this had been right after we got married, I would have enjoyed it, but now, I felt uncomfortable with all the attention.
I knew that everyone in this circle knew about Tyler and Ava. Everyone thought they were true love - after all, their college romance had been quite passionate.
Although Tyler's behavior was cheating and Ava was the other woman, people would just think that after all the twists and turns, they were meant to be together, just rekindling an old flame.
Dennis walked toward us with his wife. "Tyler, Sophia."
I handed over the wedding gift and said, "Congratulations on your marriage."
"Thanks Sophia, this is my wife Ivy Price."
"Hello Sophia." Ivy's voice was sweet. She glanced at me, then at Tyler.
Tyler chatted with Dennis for a bit, while Ivy kept complimenting me.
"Sophia, you're so beautiful. Before you came, Dennis was saying we'd have a gorgeous guest coming. I think you could be a celebrity, Sophia."
My cheeks flushed from the compliments, and I returned some kind words to Ivy.
Soon, it was almost time for the ceremony to start. Dennis was about to lead Ivy to the staging area when, after just a few steps, his face suddenly twisted in pain. He clutched his chest and collapsed.
The scene immediately erupted into chaos. Ivy was terrified. Several friends helped him up - Dennis's face was pale white and he was barely conscious.
Tyler and I pushed through the crowd. A server rushed over with a glass of water, but with just one look, I knew Dennis was having a heart attack.
I quickly stopped them. "He's having a heart attack. Don't give him water. Lay him flat!"
Suddenly, everyone looked at me, most with doubtful expressions.
Tyler looked at me too.
I didn't have time to worry about that. I went forward and helped lay Dennis flat on the ground, then quickly loosened his tie and belt to keep the air flowing around him.
My actions made everyone suspicious, and people started talking about me.
"What is she doing? Is she crazy? Why is she unbuckling someone's belt?"
"Isn't that Tyler's housewife? What does she know?"
"If it's really a heart attack, you're not even supposed to touch him. What if she kills him?"
I ignored the comments and started unbuttoning Dennis's shirt. Ivy was terrified. After hearing what people were saying, she started doubting me too.
"...Sophia, what are you doing? Don't touch Dennis anymore. The ambulance is on its way..."
I didn't listen to Ivy and unbuttoned all the shirt buttons. Then I looked at everyone and said firmly, "Everyone step back. Don't crowd around. Keep the air flowing."
Then I quickly asked Ivy, "Does Dennis have a history of heart disease?"
Ivy shook her head, sobbing. "I... I don't know. I don't think so..."
Tyler suddenly remembered something. He said, "He does. In college he passed out because his heart felt uncomfortable. Later they diagnosed early-stage coronary heart disease. It wasn't serious at the time."
My brow furrowed tightly. I bit my lower lip and started pressing on the inside of his wrist. As I pressed, I said, "If Dennis really has a history of heart disease, he should be carrying nitroglycerin. Check his pockets!"
Ivy was at a complete loss, frozen in place, not knowing what to do.
Seeing this, Tyler crouched down to help me search, but found nothing. He said to Ivy, "Are Dennis's parents here? Ask them!"
"His... parents didn't come."
I stared anxiously at Dennis, who was semi-conscious. Every second felt stretched out. The golden window for treating a heart attack is ten minutes.
"Did Dennis bring a bag today? Go check his bag for medication!"
Ivy was shaking, her legs weak. She stumbled toward the room with a bridesmaid's help to search.
Time passed second by second, but Dennis's condition didn't improve - he even started convulsing.
"I told you she couldn't do it! It's all her fault!"
"He's foaming at the mouth! What do we do! What do we do!"
My muscles tensed, fine beads of sweat forming on my forehead. I could only keep pressing on the inside of his wrist.
"Tyler, make your wife stop! At this rate, he's going to die!"
"Exactly!"
Just then, Dennis's eyes suddenly rolled back, and his whole body began convulsing violently. The scene erupted in noise, and everyone panicked again.
"Look, Sophia killed him!"