Chapter 55

“IT could have been better if my brother and his family could join us tonight,” Carlisle Cross said when they went to the dining hall for dinner.
Chase sat on his seat across from Prudence, who was beside her uncle. He wasn’t sure if it was a surprise visit or if his father had told him to come.
“How is Sebastian, by the way?” his father asked as though he was really concerned about his future in-law.
“Well…” Carlisle heaved a sigh. “He is still in a coma, unfortunately. But the doctors are doing their best. It seems that our Prudence here will be walking down the aisle without her father beside her.”
“Elena and her youngest daughter can join us—”
“I don’t think so. Elena won’t leave her husband’s side, and Ernestine won’t leave her mother.”
Chase’s forehead creased. Though he understood the Cross’s situation, it seemed a bit odd that Prudence’s family wasn’t that concerned about her wedding. Was she an outcast or something?
“My uncle is here anyway,” Prudence chimed in. “I don’t mind if he will be the one to walk me down the aisle.”
“Well then…” Carlisle clasped his hands. “Let’s start the wedding plans by picking the date.”
“Why don’t we leave it to my wife, Cynthia?” Francis gestured in his mother’s direction. “She’s good at organizing everything. I bet this wedding is a piece of cake for her.”
“What do you think, Prudence?”
Chase’s hands clenched, and he couldn’t hold everything in.
“There will be no wedding,” he said in a low tone.
Everyone turned in his direction.
“What?” Carlisle looked at him with narrowed eyes and then turned to his father again. “What is the meaning of this, Francis? I thought everything was fine. What is going on here, huh?”
“A-ah, Carlisle, let me explain—”
“I will explain,” he said, cutting his father’s words.
“Chase!” his father said authoritatively.
Prudence’s uncle raised his hand. “Go on, Chase. I will listen.”
“I can’t marry Prudence because I’m in love with someone else. I’m sorry.” He shut his eyes for a while. “I know this engagement is very important for both families—”
“You know it’s important, yet here you are breaking it off.” Carlisle’s lip twitched. “So, what will happen now? Do you think we will agree to your terms if you don’t get to marry Prudence?”
“Chase…” His father groaned.
“Tell me, who is this girl you are so in love with that you are willing to break such a big engagement, huh?” Carlisle said afterward.
He looked around and beckoned the butler standing by the corner. Chase ordered him to call Sybil, who was probably locked inside. He was sure his father ordered her not to come out while the guest was there.
After a few minutes, the butler returned.
“Sir, I couldn’t find Miss Sybil. One of the servants said she left the mansion with your sister this afternoon,” the butler informed him.
Chase cleared his throat and turned in Carlisle’s direction.
“Sybil’s not here. The butler said she and Ruth left this afternoon.”
He wondered where they went and why she didn’t tell him about it.
“Sybil is her name,” said Carlisle.
“Don’t worry about it, Carlisle. Perhaps my son’s still in the midst of his obsession with this girl. She’s just no one, a girl without any background that—”
“It’s not just an obsession. I love her!” Chase rose from his seat and left the dining hall.
“Chase! Come back here!” his father’s voice roared.
But he didn’t mind and headed out of the mansion.
He was about to get in his car when someone pulled his arm. Chase turned round and found Prudence looking at him with worry.
“Prudence.”
“Chase, I hope you know you’re doing the wrong thing.” She freed his arm afterward. “You’re putting Sybil’s life in danger—”
“And how about you, Prudence, hmm?” He pocketed his hands and smirked.
“W-what do you mean?” she asked, puzzled.
“You and I are just the same. I know you’re in love with someone else as well.”
Her hands clenched to her side.
“I’m not,” Prudence said firmly. She then turned around and strode back to the mansion.
He tilted his head upward and breathed exasperatedly. Everything was turning upside down, and all he wanted was to be happy with Sybil. But things were tough right now.
“Where is she anyway?” Chase fished his phone out of his pocket and tried calling Sybil, but she wasn’t picking up. He called his sister next, but she didn’t pick up either. “What the hell?”

SYBIL and Ruth didn’t even get to reach the hospital. Her feeling got better while they were on their way, and she suddenly wanted some fresh air. So, she told Ruth to bring her to the park instead.
“Here.” Ruth handed her a can of cold coffee.
“Thank you.” She opened it and took a sip.
“By the way, Chase is calling me, but I didn’t answer. I don’t know what to tell him if he asks why we left.”
“He is calling me, too. I didn’t answer as well.”
“Did you two… had a fight?”
She shook her head.
“We’re good.” She leaned in her seat. “You know, sometimes we want to be alone.”
“But I’m with you right now.”
“You’re Ruth, not Chase.”
“So, you think you and my brother needed a break?” Ruth cupped her hand. “Carlisle came today.”
“Who is that?” Her forehead creased.
“Prudence’s uncle.”
The realization hit her.
“He must be the guest who arrived this afternoon.”
“You saw him?”
“Yes.” Sybil nodded consecutively. “We met at the foyer before you arrived. He’s looking for your father.”
“I see. You must have felt intimidated. That’s why you suddenly looked pale.”
“I don’t know….” She let out a sigh.
“Sybil… they’re planning for the wedding now. What’s your plan?” Ruth looked at her intently. “I think it will be hard for Chase to call off the wedding when everyone in the family is firm to the decision that the wedding must push through.”
“I guess it’s me and Chase against the world.”
Ruth caressed her arm.
“I hope you have a brave heart. The worst is yet to come….”
“Please, don’t say that.”
“I’m not instilling fear in you, Sybil. I’m telling you the truth.”