Chapter 1
Outside Jersten’s city hall, Elvira Willis glanced at her watch, an hour past the time she and Calvin Kennedy had planned to tie the knot. She had
called him over a dozen times with no luck.
Worried sick, Elvira wondered if Calvin got into an accident rushing over or if his granddad Haz Kennedy had taken ill.
When Calvin finally picked up, Elvira blurted out, “Calvin, you’re there! Something wrong?
“Sorry, Elvira I can’t do it today. Let’s push the registration, I’ll fill you in later” Calvin sounded beat.
Then, a fainty cry whimpered in the background. “Calvin, it hurts” Elvira then heard Calvin cooing in the background. “Easy, can’t you see she’s hurting!
Elvira’s heart stopped. Their big day, and Calvin was with Judy Willis.
“Elvira, something urgent came up, I’ll call you back!” Calvin hurriedly said, preparing to hang up.
“Hold up, Calvin, you’re with Judy? You know I fucking hate her Elvira’s voice was sharp with fury
“Look, Elvira, Judy is in an accident. Can’t leave her to sign papers with you. Your folks splitting has zip to do with her. She has never dissed you What’s up with you now? Judy has been on my case to make it official with you. But hell, any day for paperwork, let’s aim for tomorrow.” Calvin sighed, obviously fed up, hanging up before Elvira could snap back. He saw Elvira as spiteful and unreasonable, while Judy was all angelic understanding,
Elvira clutched her phone, feeling a boulder in her chest, breaths short, head splitting.
Her parents divorced when Elvira was twelve. Her father, Vincent Willis, started a new life with Judy and her mother, Amber Willis, exposing his secretive double dealings.
Elvira and her brother, Marsh Willis, ended up under Vincent’s custody, enduring a living nightmare within the Willis family, largely due to Judy’s scheming.
Calvin, their neighbor, had been Elvira’s consolation after the divorce, initially despising Judy. Yet, over time, he warmed up to Judy.
Elvira had pushed for marriage, fearing losing Calvin to Judy. Now, it seemed she had lost him after all. ‘I just didn’t want to face reality, Elvira thought, aching inside.
From a car not too far away, a fashionably dressed elderly lady intently watched Elvira, observing every nuance of her demeanor. She quickly grabbed her phone and called her grandson, Zach Gilbert. “Zach, my heart is acting up. Hurry over, or you might miss saying goodbye to your dearest grandma. I’m right outside city hall!“
Upon receiving his grandma Tracy Gilbert’s call, Zach felt an all–too–familiar headache brewing. Tracy often feigned illness to coax him into blind dates.
‘Now she is escalated to city hall? She can’t possibly expect me to marry some random person, can she? Zach mused, skeptical yet moved by concern for his grandmother, and promptly redirected his car toward city hall
Despite being tricked numerous times before, Zach couldn’t take chances with Tracy’s health.
Elvira was
determined. She dialed Calvin one last time, only to hear an unfamiliar voice.
never
“Elvira, why don’t you get
tit Calvin has moved on. He is with me now. Oh, and your birthday? He spent it with me. In fact, whenever I call, he nev hesitates to ditch you for me. Thought you should know, I’ve already slept with him” Judy’s voice rang with glee and a touch of smugness,
Hearing Judy’s words, Elvira felt her world collapsing around her, her complexion paled, and she trembled uncontrollably. She knew Judy was telling the truth, the evidence was unmistakable.
It was my desperation to hold onto Calvin that made me overlook the reality. Now, it is time to wake up. What is not mine will never be, no matter how hard I try, Elvira thought, letting tears fall as she closed her eyes.
Watching couples emerge from city y hall, radiating
g happiness, Elvira turned to leave, emotionally numb.
“Ms. Willis, look who it is!” “Tracy approached with a beaming smalle, grabbing Elvira’s hand with warmth
“Mrs Gilbert,
rt, is that you? How are you feeling!” Elvira, recognizing the elderly lady she had rescued days before, was jolted back to reality.
“Tin much beiter, dear. Are you here to register with your boyfriend? Where is he?” Tracy inquired with a knowing sinile. After Elva a saved her. Tracy took a liking to her and even looked into her background. The thought that Elvira might soon belong to someone else had troubled Tracy all
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6:14 PM d
Chapter 1
day. Upon noticing Elvira’s fiance was nowhere to be seen, Tracy had sent Zach in hopes of playing matchmaker.
“He is not coming. Elvira replied, her voice hollow, her heart aching.
Your boyfriend doesn’t know what he is missing. Don’t worry, dear. Let me introduce you to a suitable match. My grandson. He is a catch: healthy, successful. How about giving marriage with him a shot Tracy blurted, almost surprising herself with the proposal, but she genuinely adored Elvira and couldn’t bear the thought of losing her as a potential granddaughter–in–law.
Just as Elvira was about to refuse, Zach arrived. In his last–minute switch to a modest car, he didn’t even have time to ditch his regular threads. His custom–tailored suit and commanding height made him stand out, turning heads.
“Here is my grandson, Zach Tracy beamed, clutching Elvira’s hand. “Elvira, trust me, marrying this dude? You will hit the jackpot
