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?"

shook her head seriously. "No, but there's

as thick as

gift. Did you

her life, even waste it! She was not stupid enough to not know how nice it was

affection of men might change, but money never betrayed anyone. What was

was speechless. He cleared his throat as he reminded her, "You should remember that Irene isn't as rich

definitely isn't anything so mundane," Erin

as if everything

did things turn out unpleasant like this?

continuing to rummage through everything. "You sure you don't want to look

"Oh, right!"

that, Erin lifted her dress and headed straight to the 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

Erin nodded repeatedly. "Yeah."

but she was a Zidonian at heart, inheriting the