CHAPTER NINETY- The Last Door Left to Open
Laura felt a hand on her arm and turned to see Megan, the bridesmaid who had delivered the news
“Laura, I… I don’t know what to do,” Megan said, her voice trembling. “The other bridesmaids are in shock. Julia’s
themselves. It’s chaos back there.”
‘s parents are beside
Laura nodded, her instincts kicking in. “Okay, let’s try to calm things down. Can you go back and ask Julia’s parents to come out here? They should be with Ryan and his family right now. And maybe see if you can find the wedding planner? We need to start informing vendors.”
Megan nodded gratefully, seemingly relieved to have a task to focus on. As she hurried off, Laura turned back to Ryan. He was now sitting in the front pew, his head in his hands, his parents on either side of him.
Laura approached cautiously, her heart aching for her friend. “Ryan?” she said softly.
He looked up, his eyes red–rimmed and lost. “Laura,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I don’t understand. Why would she…?”
Laura sat down next to him, fighting the urge to p
pull him into her arms. “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “I’m so sorry, Ryan. This is… it’s unimaginable.”
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Ryan’s mother looked at Laura gratefully. “Thank you for being here, dear. Ryan’s lucky to have such good friends.”
Laura managed a small smile, even as her heart twisted at the word ‘friend“. “Of course. I’m here for whatever you need.”
Just then, Julia’s parents appeared, looking shell shocked and devastated. Julia’s mother immediately rushed to Ryan, enveloping him in a tearful hug.
“Oh, Ryan, we’re so sorry,” she sobbed. “We had no idea. We don’t understand…”
Ryan patted her back awkwardly, looking more lost than ever. Julia’s father stood to the side, his f
face a mask of anger and embarrassment.
“I don’t know what got into that girl,” he muttered. “This isn’t how we raised her.
The wedding planner, a tall woman named Vanessa, appeared next to Laura. “Ms. McKenna? I understand you’re close to the family. We need to start making some decisions about the reception and vendors. Do you think you could help coordinate?”
Laura nodded, grateful for something concrete to do. “Of course. What do you need?”
As Vanessa began outlining the immediate concerns, Laura’s mind raced. She needed to help manage this crisis, to be there for Ryan and his family. But a small, guilty part of her couldn’t help but wonder what this meant for her and Ryan. She pushed the thought away, focusing on Vanessa’s words
“We need to inform the reception venue immediately,” Vanessa was saying. “And the catering staff, the band… not to mention all these guests.”
Laura took a deep breath. “Okay. Let’s start with the venue and catering. Can you handle that? I’ll work on drafting a message for the guests”
Vanessa nodded, already pulling out her phone. Laura turned back to the group huddled in the front pew. Byan was still there, surrounded by both sets of parents, looking lost and small
“Ryan?” Laura said gently. “I hate to bother you, but we need to start dealing with some logistics. Is there someone you’d like to help make decisions about the reception and vendors?”
Ryan looked up at her, his eyes unfocused. “L… I don’t know. I can’t think straight.”
Ryan’s father stood up. “I’ll handle it,” he said firmly. “Son, you don’t worry about any of that. We’ll take care of everything.”
Laura nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Mr. Callis. If you could come with me, we’ll start making some calls.”
As she led Ryan’s father away, Laura glanced back at Ryan. He was staring at the altar, where he should have been exchanging vows with Julia at this very moment. The sight made Laura’s heart ache.
For the next hour, the church was a flurry of activity. Guests were ushered out with apologies and promises of more information to come. Vendors were contacted and arrangements were cancelled or postponed. Through it all, Laura moved efficiently, coordinating with Vanessa and Ryan’s father to manage the crisis as best they could.
Finally, as the last of the guests left and the vendors had been dealt with, Laura found herself back in the now–empty church. Ryan was still sitting in the front pew, alone now, his head bowed.
CHAFTER NINETY –The Last Dr Left
22
Laura approached him slowly, unsure of what to say or do. As she reached him, he looked up, his eyes red and tired.
“Laura,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “What am I supposed to do now?”
The vulnerability in his voice broke Laura’s heart. Without thinking, she sat down next to him and took his hand in hers.
“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “But you’re not alone, Ryan. We’re all here for you.”
Ryan nodded, squeezing her hand gratefully. They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the day hanging heavy between
n them. “I just keep thinking,” Ryan said finally, his voice heavy with despair, “what did I do wrong? Was there something I missed? Some sign I didn’t see?”
Laura shook her head vehemently. “No, Ryan. This isn’t your fault. You can’t blame yourself for someone else’s actions.”
Ryan’s face darkened, his eyes clouding over with a mixture of pain and anger. “Can’t I? There must have been something. People don’t just leave for no reason, Laura. I must have driven her away somehow.”
Laura’s heart ached for him. She wanted nothing more than to take away his pain, to make everything right again. But she could see Ryan retreating into himself, building walls around his hurt.
“Ryan, please don’t think that way. You’re a wonderful person, and-”
“A wonderful person who got left at the altar,” Ryan cut her off, his voice bitter. “Some catch I must be.”
Laura reached out to touch his arm, but Ryan flinched away. “What would I do without you, Laura?” he said, but this time the words were laced with sarcasm. “Probably the same thing I’m going to do now. Figure out how to piece my life back together alone.”
The statement hung in the air between them, loaded with unspoken emotions and a newfound distance. Laura felt her heart sense of panic rising in her chest.
“Ryan, you don’t have to do this alone. I’m here for you. We all are,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
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But Ryan was already standing up, his body tense and his eyes avoiding Laura’s gaze. “I appreciate that, Laura. I really do. But right now, I just… I can’t do this. I can’t be here.”
Before Laura could say another word, Ryan turned and strode quickly down the aisle, his footsteps echoing in the empty church. Laura sat frozen, watching him go, feeling helpless and heartbroken.
As the heavy church doors closed behind Ryan with a resounding thud, Laura was left alone in the vast, silent space.
The weight of everything that had happened – and everything left unsaid – settled around her like a heavy cloak. She wanted to after Ryan, to make him understand that he didn’t have to face this alone. But she knew that right now, he needed space.
