When Bruce finished speaking, he turned and walked away without looking back.
Harvey and I stood there, holding the wedding dress in our hands, speechless.
“Hailey, he doesn’t seem to match the story you told me about him,” Harvey said, exhaling deeply. “I was so scared just now, afraid you’d go with him.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “This isn’t his territory. What could he possibly do? Kidnap me in broad daylight?”
“But…” I paused and looked at him. “Since he gave us the dress, what do you think, Harvey?”
“Hm?” He raised an eyebrow.
“How about letting me wear it? Just once?” I asked tentatively.
Harvey froze for a moment before breaking into a radiant smile, one so bright it reminded me of an overexcited
puppy.
On the way back to the hotel, Bruce couldn’t stop replaying the image of Hailey and Harvey holding hands. He had anticipated the possibility that Hailey might already have someone new in her life, but seeing her comforting another man right in front of him–so calm, so natural–pierced him in a way he hadn’t prepared for.
Frowning, he rubbed his temples, irritation bubbling under his skin. Almost unconsciously, he opened his social media app.
There it was: Hailey’s latest post. A photo of the wedding dress, accompanied by two tightly clasped hands.
“This wedding dress has finally brought me happiness,” the caption read.
The joy radiating from the photo was almost tangible, the words practically glowing with uncontainable excitement.
A pang of regret surged through him, sharp and immediate. But he knew it was far too late.
For the past two years, Bruce had quietly gathered fragments of Hailey’s life from afar, though he never dared to look too closely. Then, a week ago, when he saw the auction announcement, he had recognized her design at once.
In his mind, he thought, if Hailey could forgive him, he would do anything, pay any price, to win back the dress and begin anew.
But when he saw Harvey by her side, holding her hand, Bruce finally understood. He had no place in her life now. The pure and hopeful Hailey he had once known was far beyond his reach.
He had hurt her too much.
All he could offer her now was the wedding dress, imbued with happiness and promise, so that she could wear it with someone who truly cherished her.
“Mr. Cameron, Kathy called again,” his assistant said cautiously, interrupting his thoughts.
