Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Director Adams felt terrible about my sudden resignation.

Hearing that I just wanted a fresh start, he did not force me to stay. Instead, he recommended me for a position at an international carrier based in Paris.

It was an unexpected blessing, and I accepted it without hesitation.

I could transfer to Paris by next week.

It was nearly midnight when Gavin finally returned home, smelling heavily of alcohol.

Drinking was strictly forbidden for commercial pilots, so I did not need to guess who made him break the rules.

Mixed in with the foul stench of liquor was a familiar floral scent.

It was the delicate freesia perfume Gia always wore.

Seeing the living room lights on and me sitting on the sofa, a flash of annoyance crossed Gavin's eyes. He sat down heavily, waiting for my usual interrogation.

I merely glanced up at him before looking back down to pack my belongings.

Only then did Gavin notice the large open suitcase on the floor. He tensed instantly and asked with confusion.

"Do you have an overseas assignment? Why are you packing so much?"

Without looking up, I gave him a casual reply.

"Yes. An international route. I might be gone for a while."

Hearing this, Gavin let out a visible sigh of relief.

I gave a silent, self-deprecating laugh.

Just one week ago, I had specifically taken time off from the airline to prepare for our wedding.

No airline would ever assign an active flight attendant a sudden overseas trip on her wedding week, yet Gavin believed it without a second thought.

It showed just how little attention he actually paid to me.

Perhaps my quiet obedience made Gavin feel uneasy.

In a rare gentle tone, he asked with a hint of remorse.

"Today's wedding... it did not stress you out too much, did it?"

We had planned this ceremony so many times that, in his eyes, handling the fallout should have become second nature to me.

I brushed him off with a noncommittal response, but Gavin continued speaking.

"How many days will you be away? As soon as you get back, we will hold the ceremony, okay? I swear I won't miss it this time."

My hands paused over my suitcase.

Remembering everything that had happened, hearing these words from his mouth felt utterly absurd.

I could not help but speak up.

"You made the exact same promise at every single wedding before this. Yet every single time, you ran off to be with your precious apprentice."

He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, opening his mouth to make an excuse.

Before he could speak, his phone rang loudly.

A girl's tearful voice came through the speaker, full of panic and trembling fear. "Mentor, I think someone is following me. It looks like a man, and I am terrified!"

Gavin sprang up from the couch like a launched missile. "Gia, stay calm. Keep the line open, send me your location, and I will drive over right now."

Seeing him rush toward the door, I instinctively reached out and grabbed his arm.

"You have been drinking. How can you get behind the wheel tonight?"

Gavin violently shoved my hand away and snapped at me.

"What does that have to do with you?! If anything happens to Gia, can you take the blame?!"

Even though I was used to his harsh words, a shiver still ran through my entire body.

Realizing he had lost his temper, Gavin gave me a conflicted look.

He took a deep breath and said coldly, "I promised to show up for our wedding, and I will. But I hope you learn to be more understanding from now on, so people stop talking behind our backs."

The door slammed shut with a deafening thud.

My heart finally settled into total, dead silence.

I whispered softly to the empty room.

Gavin, there will never be another wedding for us.