Chapter 30 The Moment After
As they walked out of the hall, everyone, including Rebecca, assumed the wedding was about to be called off. After all, which grandfather would allow his grandson to marry someone with such scandal?
She watched them leave the hall, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t know whether to hope or to give up.
She looked at Vanessa and could tell she and Liam had planned this. Immediately, she decided that if peradventure Derek decided he wasn't going to marry her anymore, she was going to spill what happened and also tell Derek about the child in her womb being his.
When they reached Derek’s hotel room, Mr. Hemsworth didn’t waste a second.
"This wedding is off," he said firmly. "I will not allow this family to be tied to a woman who carries such scandals around her. I wanted you to grow up, Derek, not to add a cheat to this household."
Derek’s jaw tightened. "What do you mean the is wedding is off? You forced me into this arranged marriage," he replied quietly. "You made me accept something I didn’t want. And now that I actually want it, you want to stop me?"
His father frowned. "What do you mean you want it?" he asked. “I forced you.”
"I’m getting married to Rebecca," Derek stated firmly. "If you call off this wedding, then forget about me ever getting married at all. If you want me to be responsible, then let me handle this my way."
“And what is your way?” Edward asked with a raised brow.
“I want to go ahead with the wedding. Merely looking at the situation, you should be able to tell that man came here just to sabotage the wedding and you calling it off will only make their plan work. Let me marry her and find out what truly happened because you saw her. If she'd indeed cheated, she wouldn't have had that boldness or tried to counter what he said,” Derek explained.
His grandfather stared at him, genuinely stunned by how much determination he had just to go on with the wedding.
In all these years, Derek had never seemed truly committed to anything. He had never defended anything with this level of seriousness. This was the first time his grandson had stood his ground. And he had to admit that he liked it.
Finally, the old man sighed. "Fine," he muttered. "If this is what you want… then let’s finish it, and make sure you get to the roof of this mess."
They walked back into the hall together, and conversations hushed instantly. Everyone waited to hear the verdict. Rebecca stood nervously by the altar, twisting her fingers and preparing herself for rejection.
But Mr. Hemsworth gave a small nod to the officiant. "Let's continue, please," he said.
Rebecca’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected the wedding to proceed until probably they'd heard from her or something.
She swallowed hard, trying to steady her breathing. She looked at Derek, who gave her a once-over glance before turning his attention to the officiant.
What was going on in his head right now? Why didn't he ask her anything? Why wasn't he angry? She glanced at Edward whom she knew was angry and she couldn't help asking herself a million questions.
“Focus. It's our wedding,” Derek whispered to her when he saw how distracted she looked.
Rebecca’s heart skipped several beats as she turned to him, and their eyes met. There was no judgement whatsoever in them. Why? He didn't know her so shouldn't he be asking to know if she truly did all Liam talked about?
Or was he just going ahead with the wedding because like he wanted to consider it a business transaction like he suggested that day?
She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. When she opened them, she told herself she needed to finish this and have a talk with him. She needed to know what was going on in his mind.
At the back of the hall, Vanessa’s smile disappeared. Her jaw clenched as she immediately pulled out her phone and sent a message to Liam. "The plan has failed."
Her fingers trembled with anger; the plan had been perfect, almost flawless even. She'd thought this was all she needed to tear down whatever future Rebecca had of taking over the company, yet it had failed.
It might seem Rebecca was winning, but she was not giving up, not now, not ever. She would never allow Rebecca to win.
The car ride home was silent. Rebecca sat by the window, her hands folded tightly in her lap, staring out at the passing streetlights.
Although she had changed out of her wedding gown into a simple dress, the weight of the day still sat heavily on her chest. Everything had happened too fast, too suddenly for her mind to catch up.
Beside her, Derek sat with one hand on the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road. His jaw was tight, and his shoulders were stiff. He hadn’t said a word since they left the hotel.
The silence felt deafening. She wanted them to talk about it. She wanted to ask him about it but at the same time, she wanted him to bring it up.
By the time they arrived at the house, Rebecca felt emotionally exhausted. This place was now supposed to be her home, and the thought alone made her heart race. How was she going to stay in the same house with a man she barely knew?
Derek parked the car and turned off the engine. Still, neither of them moved, as if they were both waiting for the other to make the first move.
Rebecca waited for Derek to say something. Derek, on the other hand also.waited for Rebecca to say something.
But nothing happened. None of them said anything.
Finally, Derek got out of the car and walked around to open the door for her. The gesture surprised her. She hesitated for a moment before stepping out.
They walked inside the house together, the door closing softly behind them.
Rebecca stood near the living room, unsure of what to do with herself. She slowly took off her shoes and placed them neatly
by the door. Her movements were careful, almost nervous; she felt like a stranger in someone else’s life.