Chapter 102 This Is Our Private Matter
The wedding preparations lasted for over half a month, and the two families met frequently because of this.
Evelyn was busy with the foundation and art exhibition, while Arthur juggled company matters and kept track of the wedding arrangements.
Both of them were incredibly busy, but they still made time to see each other every day, and their feelings for each other hadn't cooled down one bit.
However, when it came to the wedding, Evelyn and Arthur had different opinions.
"The wedding doesn't need to be too grand. Something simple and low-key would be better. I don't want too much media attention on this, after all, getting married is a private matter between us."
Evelyn said sincerely, looking at Arthur.
Their lives had always been under public scrutiny, with every action analyzed and sometimes even blown out of proportion.
This wasn't why Evelyn had entered the art world. She just wanted to live an ordinary life and use her brush to paint her inner world.
But as public figures, she and Arthur couldn't control how things developed, so they were forced to deal with reporters chasing and blocking them.
Every little detail of their lives was exposed to everyone, and even the children got dragged into it and suffered some harm.
She didn't want this wedding to become gossip fodder for others either.
"But Evelyn," Arthur frowned slightly and offered a different view, "This wedding means so much to us. I want to marry you with everyone as witnesses. It has to be grand, otherwise how can it show how important you are to me?"
He didn't want Evelyn to feel shortchanged. If the event wasn't big enough, the media would definitely criticize them, saying the Collins family didn't take Evelyn seriously.
He couldn't let that happen, so no matter what, he had to hold a spectacular ceremony.
Daisy sided with Evelyn and stepped in to smooth things over. "Evelyn has a point. This is your wedding, and simple and elegant is fine. There's no need to invite so many reporters and media. As long as the wedding is what Evelyn wants, nothing else matters."
"But this is the Collins family's wedding after all," Elizabeth shook her head disapprovingly. "We can't make it too shabby. What would people think?"
"We sincerely want to marry Evelyn, so whether it's the framework or the details, everything must be perfect. We can't leave any regrets!" She added.
Evelyn didn't expect them to clash at this point, and she bit her lip in distress.
Seeing her troubled expression, Arthur's heart sank, and he stepped forward. "How about this, we each compromise. Let's have an outdoor wedding by the beach, and we'll cut the scale in half according to plan."
Evelyn looked up at him in surprise, feeling warmth in her heart.
Arthur had made concessions under pressure from the Collins family, considering her feelings.
"Fine," Daisy nodded. "As long as you two are happy, Evelyn's dad and I have no objections."
Elizabeth stopped insisting and left the choice and decision to Evelyn and Arthur.
The wedding format was roughly decided, and the four children enthusiastically joined in the planning.
"I think the decorations should be like this," John suggested excitedly. "We need to highlight Dad and Mommy's taste, and create a warm feeling of everyone sitting together! This isn't just a wedding, it's an important ceremony witnessing Dad and Mommy getting back together!"
James said seriously, "So we must get the details right. The whole tone of the wedding should be simple and elegant. Nothing can go wrong anywhere."
The two boys studied the wedding plans carefully, while Julian and Ella designed wedding cards on the side.
Ella had a foundation in drawing, and Julian had exceptional design talent. The siblings worked together seamlessly and quickly drew several drafts of wedding cards.
"Mommy, look!"
The children immediately showed Evelyn the plans and drafts, wanting her opinion right away. "Which one do you like? What other elements do you want to add?"
Seeing the four children gathered together in a rare, cheerful atmosphere, Evelyn's face lit up with a smile.
"I think they're all wonderful."
She looked at each one and said approvingly, "These are gifts from you to me, and I love them!"
The children had designed them while thinking of her, so they really suited her taste. She could feel the love in them.
"Great, as long as Mommy likes them!"
All four children were thrilled, but they also held themselves to high standards. "But these plans and designs need more work. They have to be two hundred percent perfect!"
The children then returned to the coffee table and buried themselves in their work with full concentration.
Evelyn watched them with a smile, feeling as sweet as if she'd eaten a spoonful of honey.
Meanwhile, Arthur sat alone in his study, looking through their wedding photos from six years ago.
Back then, he and Evelyn were still young and naive, full of youthful passion.
In the photo, Evelyn was leaning against his shoulder with a bright smile, her face full of happiness, with no idea what hardships awaited her after marriage.
If she had known what would happen, would she still have been willing to marry him?
Arthur couldn't say for sure. He only knew how much Evelyn had sacrificed for their marriage back then, pouring her whole heart into him, only to be hurt deeply by him.
Even when faced with criticism and unfair treatment, Evelyn never complained until she finally became completely disappointed and left the Collins family pregnant with their children.
Arthur looked at that smiling face, feeling mixed emotions. If only he had recognized his true feelings back then, they wouldn't have taken such a long detour.
He and Evelyn wouldn't have separated, and she wouldn't have suffered so much raising the children alone.
Arthur gently touched that beautiful face in the photo, suddenly realizing that this wedding wasn't just a ceremony but a repair.
He needed to make up for all the hurt he'd caused Evelyn over the years, to mend her broken heart.
He couldn't let Evelyn be sad anymore. He had to make her so happy that she could let go of the past and stop dwelling on it.
This was something he should have done long ago, and he couldn't delay it any longer.
Arthur made a firm resolution in his heart, telling himself over and over that he must protect Evelyn.
He closed the photo album in his hands and looked out the window with deep eyes, missing her terribly.