Chapter 3 Midnight

Midnight has arrived. The visitors have left already. Lucas Blake, who appears to be very irate, has asked all of the reporters and paparazzi to leave the building. Families from the bride's and groom's sides are the only ones who still reside here. Since we were previously regarded as members of the Blake family, we are still here as well. I have remained seated, as have Luna, Max, and Sienna. Max puts his arms around Luna while she sobs against his chest. She seemed to be in complete heartbreak. Max whispers comforting words to her while kissing the top of her head. Ethan's parents are speaking with Uncle Vaughn and Aunt Melanie in an attempt to assist them in resolving the issue. As they discuss the missing bride, I see how distressed Ethan's parents appear. The Blakes are powerful and well-connected enough to learn what might have happened to Olivia Stone in these last few hours. It must have occurred to them that this is not an accident. The bride has made the independent decision to leave. As Cassandra Blake walks up to her kid, my heart sags. She hugs him while crying. Ethan hugs his mom in return. I can see that he's holding back as he squeezes his eyes shut, as his mother sobs. It's not for himself that he's attempting to save himself from disintegrating. For his mother, that is. She wipes away her tears as she draws away, and her shattered expression is killing me as she looks at him. I'm unable to identify the words that Lucas Blake uses when speaking to his son. He gives his son a quick embrace as well, and I can see the rage in his eyes as he turns to leave Ethan. Tragically, their family was humiliated in front of the entire world on a day that should have been happy and sacred. The bride's side families have already left, appearing equally distraught, by the time Uncle Vaughn and Aunt Melanie come up to us. Uncle Vaughn gives Max a sly glance, as if they are conversing without exchanging words. "They're leaving," he informs his son. "Ethan will stay here." Max sighs and plants another kiss on Luna's forehead. He murmurs, "Luna," as Cassandra approaches us to fetch her daughter. "We're heading home. I'll accompany you, shall we? Let's head home. Max is more important to the Blakes than to us, so he may accompany us home. He is essential to Luna, particularly at this tragic time. Luna sniffs, then shakes her head in denial when she sees her mother. Cassandra looks pleadingly at her daughter, her eyes glistening with sorrow. "Luna." She is trembling when she speaks. "Let's go home, sweetheart." However, Ethan is still standing at the altar with his back to us, and Luna's gaze is firmly fixed on him. A lump in my throat is swallowed. "No," Luna says in a broken voice. "What about Ethan?" After taking a deep breath, Cassandra adds, "He's staying here," with just anguish in her voice. "I need time to be alone," he replied. Once more, Luna shakes her head. "I'm not leaving him." Max assists her in getting to her feet, but Luna chooses to approach her brother rather than part from Ethan. "Ethan," she calls. She lets out a little weep and then opens her mouth once more to say, "Let's go home." The air is quiet, and I can see her lips quiver. She awaits Ethan's answer. She adds, "Please," in a feeble voice. "I'm staying here," announces Ethan. He has yet to turn around and look at us all. "Just go home, Luna." He has a raspy voice. Luna looks at him incredulously. With her hand balled at her side, she inhales deeply. "I'm not going home without you." She speaks firmly. "I'm not leaving you here alone." She pleads once more after not hearing back from him. "Please, Ethan. Come home with me, please. "What's keeping you here?" The tension builds as Ethan continues to elude her for extended periods of time. As I watch, tears stream down Luna's face, demonstrating the depth of her grief for her sibling. "Why are you still waiting here?" Anger now permeates her voice. She seemed to be caught between erupting and breaking down. "Why are you still waiting for her?" "Because the last time we spoke, we promised each other to meet at this altar!" When Ethan turns around at last, his voice erupts. His jaw is clenched. His eyes well up with tears, yet he does not cry. I can see the pain in those lovely ambers, but he hasn't shed a tear since his bride left him. I feel like I just got a heavy slap across the face. I nearly choked at the size of the lump in my throat. Due to me. I caused his spouse to flee. I've hurt this man so much, and I'm not sure how I'll be able to forgive myself. Olivia would have walked down the aisle as she had promised Roman if I hadn't overheard them conversing in that garden. Max ends up supporting Luna after she is shocked by how loud Ethan's words are. Max hugs her as she continues to look at her brother with such sorrow in her eyes. Ethan yells, "I'm sorry, Luna," as he turns away from us once more. "Would you--" He exhales in frustration. "Will you simply leave me and head home? Would you please?" "Come, Luna," Max says in a whisper. "He'll be okay." It's difficult, but I also want to believe Max. Everyone is aware of Ethan's problems. But the least we can do is give in to his wishes, which is to leave him alone here for a bit. Lucas calls out, "Luna," and Luna turns to face her father, who is waiting for her with her mother, prepared to exit the hall. At last, Luna sniffles and nods. As they make their way to the door, Max puts his arms around her. Aunt Melanie and Uncle Vaughn also go, but I remain in the same place. I am immobile. I'd rather stay here than go. I am solely responsible for this incident. "Nyla," I'm startled to hear Sienna say. She tugs me to get out of my chair. "Come on. We're heading out. Come on, Nev. All I can do is allow her to pull me away. I can't take my eyes off of Ethan, and his back is the last thing I see before leaving the hallway.