Chapter 48: Chapter 48

The day Dylan was dreading the most had finally come. As he sat on his bed, looking at the tuxedo prepared for his wedding today, he couldn't help but feel frustrated. The single plan he had thought of last night, the only plan that could help him stop this wedding, was now ruined because he couldn't contact Suzette's boyfriend all of a sudden. How naive of him to assume everything was going as planned.

"What will I do now?" Dylan asked himself while confusedly staring at the tuxedo. Although he wanted to run away and be with Madison, he couldn't bear to watch his father suffer in prison after abandoning him for his happiness. Now, he was torn on who to choose between Madison and his Dad. Why did this have to happen to him?

Dylan lay down on his bed and painfully closed his eyes. The wedding was scheduled for three in the afternoon, and it was only twelve. He wanted to clear the contents of his brain so that he could think of a way even in the last moments. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Dylan quickly looked at the door and met Laurene's sad eyes. He immediately sat up on his bed and invited Laurene in. When she entered, she directly sat down next to him.

"How are you feeling, Honey?" Laurene worriedly asked. Dylan sighed deeply.

"Honestly, I'm not fine, Mom. I think there's nothing I can do to stop this wedding. I thought I could somehow make a way," He helplessly said, frustration laced in his voice. After a pause, he added, "But now? I'm fucked up. I don't know what to do anymore."

Seeing the pity and self-blame in Laurene's eyes, Dylan was shaken. He instantly said, "Don't look at me that way, Mom. I felt even more powerless."

"We're sorry, Honey. If it wasn't for your Dad's actions, you wouldn't be forced into this marriage," Laurene apologized and tightly held his hand.

"It's okay, Mom. I know you don't like this either. If only I could run away from here. Yet, I know I can't be selfish and let my Dad be jailed in exchange for my happiness. I don't want that to happen, Mom," He said, shaking his head at his Mom.

"You can run away, Honey. Your Dad and I will take care of everything," Laurene encouraged him.

"You know I can't just do that, Mom. I love you both, and I don't want to embarrass you two in front of many people. There is still time; perhaps I can think of a way," Dylan tried to convince her, but inwardly, he, too, was losing hope.

"You can do it, Dylan. You're smart, so I know you can. Just follow what your hearts tell you. Don't worry about your Dad and me. We can pass this hurdle if ever…." Laurene sadly smiled, but Dylan didn't let her finish her words.

"Whatever happens, I won't leave you two, Mom," Dylan promised, turned to Laurene, and hugged her so that somehow he could get some strength from his Mom.

"If you need anything, Dylan. Your Dad and I are just here. We're ready to help you just in case," Laurene gently said as she caressed his back, easing Dylan's worries.

After Laurene let him go, Dylan smiled at her. Then, Laurene told him she still needed some things to do, so she said goodbye to him. Upon seeing Laurene leave his room, Dylan lay down again on his bed and stared at the white ceiling of his room, lost in his thoughts. Suddenly, his mobile phone rang, so he quietly pulled it out of his pocket. He didn't even look at the caller and just answered it. When the person on the other line introduced himself, Dylan immediately shot up from his bed and smiled genuinely for the first time.

Hours later, Dylan stood in front of the altar, handsomely wearing his tuxedo as he waited for his bride to arrive. When someone announced the bride's arrival, he just silently stared at the altar before turning to look at the entrance. As the ceremony started, the sponsors, flower girls, bridesmaids, and ring bearers walked down the aisle until Suzette appeared, walking slowly with her parents.

Dylan gotta admit that Suzette was truly breathtaking as she walked down the aisle if she didn't look so downhearted. Although she tried hiding her sadness, it didn't escape Dylan's eyes. Suzette looked at him apologetically, but he just stared back at her and smiled. Not expecting his reaction, Suzette's surprised eyes didn't leave him as she walked toward the altar.

As Suzette and her parents came before him and were about to give her hand to him, Dylan suddenly spoke.

"I'm sorry, but I can't marry your daughter, Mr. Welch," He firmly said and saw how Hades' smile faded, and his expression became furious. Keenly aware of the change of atmosphere, the guests focused their attention on the altar and murmured amongst themselves.

"How dare you do this to us!" Hades exclaimed angrily, feeling embarrassed, and even pointed the finger at Dylan.

"I know you know that I shouldn't be the one standing here and marrying your daughter, Mr. Welch," Dylan responded in a grave tone while looking intently at Hades. Then, he glanced at Suzette, who was also confused by the sudden turn of events. Since she was locked up in their house, Dylan hadn't talked to her.

"Armand, what is your son doing?! You must keep our agreement, or else you know the consequence!" Hades threateningly shouted at Armand, but the latter just stood there and looked at him calmly.

"My son has grown up and already knows what he is doing. Whatever his decision is, I will support him. If he doesn't want to marry your daughter, we'll stand by his side and won't force him, unlike you," Armand indifferently said and shrugged his shoulders. Surprised, Dylan turned to him, but Armand just smiled at him and patted his shoulder. Dylan felt warmth from his gesture.

"Armand, I will sue you for breaching the contract! You even dared to embarrass us in front of so many people!" Hades roared, his face turning red from anger. The guests were surprised at how the always composed Hades lost his cool.

"I'm sorry, but that won't happen, Mr. Welch. I consulted our lawyer, and he informed me that your contract is invalid because Dad was under the influence of alcohol when he signed it. Hence, you can't file a case against Dad," Dylan seriously countered. Hades didn't say anything for a while, so Dylan turned to Suzette.

"Do you want this wedding to continue, Suzette?" he asked, and Suzette shook her head as an answer. Dylan turned to Hades and continued, "See, Mr. Welch? Your daughter doesn't want this marriage to happen also. You're forcing her against her will."

"We must push through this wedding because we've already spent so much money just to prepare this ceremony! You two will continue this wedding whether you like it or not!" Hades demanded weakly while looking at Dylan and Suzette. Perhaps, he finally realized what he was doing and felt guilty for forcing his daughter.

"Do you want to get married to the one you love, Suzette?" Dylan whispered to Suzette, and she nodded immediately.

"Of course, if only he was here," Suzette answered, smiling sadly at him.

"What are you talking about, Suzette?! That bastard didn't have the right to be part of the Welch family! He's a dirt-poor waiter who cannot even provide for you!" Hades became angered again when he heard about Suzette's boyfriend. Before Suzette could speak, Dylan butted in.

"He can," He firmly said before explaining confidently, "I decided to invest in his business and support it so that he will succeed. Moreover, I will do everything to become successful and make you regret ever looking down at him."

"This fucking wedding is off! Let's go, Suzette!" Hades screamed and was about to pull Suzette when Dylan called the person she didn't expect to see here.

"Ed! You can come out now," Dylan said loudly and looked at the side door of the altar, where Ed suddenly appeared. Dylan looked at Suzette. She was shocked as she tearfully looked at her boyfriend in a white tuxedo. Suzette gave Dylan a look, in which he just smiled as a response.

"The decision is up to you now, Suzette. You two are here in front of the altar. Because Ed is an orphan, my parents will stand as his parents. Don't be forced to do something you don't want to do. Just follow your heart's desire," Dylan said, grabbing her hand and squeezing it.

"Don't you ever disobey me, Suzette! Let's go!" Hades shouted and pulled Suzette's arm, his expression ugly after seeing Ed.

"I know you only want what's best for me, Daddy. I don't care if I suffer hardship if I marry him. Honestly, I'm tired of the princess life I'm used to. I don't care if Ed is rich or poor; as long as we love each other, I think it's enough," Suzette said and paused to look directly at Hades' eyes, "I will accept it wholeheartedly if you choose to disown me, Daddy." Her voice broke as she removed Hades' hand from her arm. "I'm sorry, Daddy, but I want to continue the wedding with Ed," Suzette stated and walked over to Ed, standing beside Dylan, and hugged him.

Ed didn't say anything and just quietly hugged his girlfriend. After he kissed Suzette on the forehead, he turned to Hades and hugged Suzette in one arm.

"I know I have nothing to be proud of right now. But I assure you I will do everything so your daughter wouldn't suffer. Even if I can't give her the luxury and the life she used to have, I will still try my best to make her happy and content. I know I can make that happen. I love her so much, and I will do anything for her," Ed solemnly promised. Dylan glanced at Hades, who didn't say anything and looked at his crying daughter.

"I promise you, Mr. Welch, they will not suffer any hardship. Like I told you earlier, I have invested in a business with him. He has the ownership, and I will help him grow it. I can guarantee that they will be happy," Dylan persuaded Hades. "Let them continue the wedding since they love each other so much. Do not hinder your daughter's happiness. Let her be happy with the person who will make her happy and take care of her with all his heart," He gently added.

Hades lowered his head for a moment and raised his face. His eyes were now blurred with tears. Then, he walked closer to Suzette.

"I'm sorry, Suzette," He cried as he apologized and held Suzette's hand tightly. "Forgive me for what I did to you, sweetheart. I only did this because I love you and your Mommy. I want you to marry someone I trusted to care for you well. I'm wrong, and I hope it's not too late for you to forgive me," Hades then knelt in front of Suzette, asking for forgiveness.

Suzette cried, immediately pulled Hades up, and tightly hugged him, "I understand, Daddy. You don't have to apologize. Mommy and I love you very much. I hope you'll let me marry Ed. He makes me happy, Daddy, and I love him very much. Like the love you have for Mommy." Suzette looked at him and saw the latter nod at her. She felt so happy and relieved.

"I'm going to give you my blessing, Suzette. I won't stop you anymore," Hades said, turning to Dylan and his parents, Armand and Laurene, and apologizing, "Please forgive me, Armand and Laurene." They just smiled at Hades, nodded, and shook hands.

After this episode, the wedding ceremony continued when Suzette appeared at the entrance and started walking to the altar again. The only difference was that the one waiting for her at the altar was Ed, the love of her life.

Dylan smiled as he looked at the two facing each other while taking their vows in front of the Priest. They stared into each other's eyes with such love. Before he left, Dylan turned back to look at the altar and uttered his thanks to the Lord for answering his prayers.

"Wait for me, my love. I'm coming," He smilingly said to himself, left the church, and went to his car with a destination in mind.