Chapter 423
Chapter 423
Willow dropped to her knees before Eloise, ignoring the pain from her still –healing leg. She insisted, “Mother, you can’t let Michael leave! Even if I have to crawl there today, I’ll make it to his estate – no matter what p>
Tears streaming down her face, Willow struggled forward, dragging her injured leg behind her as she made for the door. The eldest maid hurried forward to block her, urgently pleading, “Miss Willow, you mustn’t go out p>
“Get out of my way!” Willow snapped in desperation, yanking the fruit knife from a nearby table and pressing its sharp tip to her throat. “If you don’t move, I’ll kill myself right before your eyes! ”
Eloise stared at Willow, her face a mask of shock. After all she had done for her daughter’s well –being, Willow was now threatening to take her own life to get her way.
An indescribable ache filled Eloise’s heart. ‘Why can’t Willow understand all my well–intentioned efforts? ‘ she wondered.
“Willow,” Eloise asked, her voice laced with a mixture of warning and weariness, “Have you truly considered this? If you walk out that door today, you’ll face endless suffering and humiliation. Are you still willing to go through with it p>
To Willow, Eloise’s painstaking care was nothing more than a stumbling block. After waiting all this time for Michael, with happiness finally within her grasp, Willow would never let go.
Willow nodded emphatically at Eloise. “Yes, Mother, I am still willing. Even if I must endure countless humiliations, even if I am dragged to the depths of hell, I don’t care p>
Her words were so resolute that Eloise knew that if she kept pressing the issue, it would only breed resentment between them.
Eloise nodded slowly, her voice heavy with resignation. “Alright, Willow. Since you’re so determined to marry Michael, I won’t stand in your way any longer. I’ll let you have your wish p>
Eloise waved her hand at the servant blocking the way. “Escort my daughter to her wedding p>
“Thank you, Mother,” Willow said, gritting her teeth against the pain in her leg as she nodded to Eloise.
The servant gently helped Willow to her feet and carefully draped the bridal veil over her head. Following tradition, another servant carried her out of the room.
Fireworks exploded, and classical music played, filling the air with unbridled wedding joy. Yet an indescribable pang of bitterness gripped Eloise’s heart. She had meticulously planned everything for Willow, only to be outmatched by an outsider.
Outside the duke’s estate, Michael saw that the gates remained stubbornly shut. His patience had run out. Just as he was about to leave, festive wedding music suddenly rang out from inside.
Just then, the tightly shut gates of the duke’s estate finally swung open, and the bride emerged. Eloise and the Duke of Suffield, their faces clouded with sorrow, escorted Willow to her wedding.
Despite all the wedding mishaps and drama, Michael took comfort in one thing–at least Willow married him with her whole heart. Michael thought, ‘I can’t let Willow down–this is my commitment to her.
Michael stepped forward, facing Willow. “Willow,” he declared, “I’ve come to marry you p>
He took Willow’s hand, swept her into his arms, and strode purposefully toward the waiting bridal sedan chair. The fireworks show became even more festive, and the music played with even greater joy, filling the air with celebration.
1/2
Their custom dictated that the wedding procession couldn’t retrace its steps, so to return to the Osborne family estate, they had to circle the entire city. With such a lively celebration, and their happiness in sight, they wouldn’t mind going the long way home.
Michael ordered his attendants to scout ahead, ready to respond to any trouble. Meanwhile, he dispatched a messenger to the Osborne family estate to update Kelsey on the situation and requested that she keep the guests calm.
The bride – fetching procession had already taken two hours, and the return journey would take nearly four more. The auspicious hour for the wedding had long passed. But there was no other choice–they had to grit their teeth and press on.
Perhaps to make up for his earlier mistakes, Michael had his attendants withdraw some cash from his account to scatter around as they marched around the city. The townsfolk scrambled eagerly to grab the money, naturally lavishing the couple with effusive wedding blessings as they did so.
“Congratulations, Lord Osborne! Wishing you and Lady Osborne a blissful marriage and a lifetime of happiness together p>
“Congratulations, Lord Osborne! May you be blessed with a healthy child immediately p>
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.