The Runaway Groom

The bridal suite was decorated in lively fashion with rose petals, ribbons and balloons.

James, however, was frowning as Erin rummaged through everything. "What are you doing?"

It was almost as if she had forgotten that she was a bride that day.

In fact, she did not even turn around to look at her bridegroom as she smiled. “Irene told me that she left a gift here. I want to see what she prepared for me."

"Alright, you keep searching," James said. "I'll take a shower."

Erin waved him off, still facing away from him. “Let's go."

James was speechless—was the gift more important than him? It was as if she did not care about him already.

Walking up to her, he asked, "What, am I less precious than a gift?" Erin looked up, staring at him for almost a minute in shock, leaving James a little embarrassed.

"W-What are you looking at?" James asked, touching his cheek. "What, is there dirt on my face?"

"No, but there's

is as

added, "Of course it's the gift. Did you forget what Isaac gave

money for the rest of her life, even waste it! She was not stupid enough

money never betrayed anyone. What was more practical than money in this day and

should remember that Irene isn't as rich

anything so mundane," Erin replied. "Now go take your shower—I'll find it myself." James

if everything he

how did things turn out unpleasant like this? It was so

up, before pausing to look at her continuing to rummage through

"Oh, right!"

bedroom. She opened the door to find it all red, as celebratory as it was romantic. It was obvious the people who decorated it gave it thorough thought. Just then, James said from outside, "Zachary and Irene worked

Erin nodded repeatedly. "Yeah."

at heart, inheriting the