Cancelled Wedding

Ch. Called Off the Wedding 52 Called Off the Wedding 52

Chapter 52

Did she really not want to marry him anymore, just as the neighbors had gossiped?}

Cynthia’s face was calm, betraying nothing of what she truly felt.

“I just need some time alone to collect myself,” she said quietly. “Otherwise, 1 might bring all these emotions with me to the wedding.“}

Her explanation was perfectly reasonable; Benedict’s suspicions eased, if only a little.}]

“But I can’t help but worry about you, being here by yourself,” he replied. “I want to stay and keep you company.“}

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He was terrified that, left alone, Cynthia might find out more than she already knew. For now, he needed to be by her side, to keep anyone from telling her too much.

He reached out to take her hand, but she pulled away sharply.

The public slight stung his pride. Benedict’s expression darkened, but he forced himself to keep his

“Cynthia…”

She cut him off. “I’m just afraid you wouldn’t dare stay here by yourself.”}

With that, she stepped into the yard. He hurried after her.

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annoyance in check.

Inside the living room, the first thing Benedict saw was the framed portrait of Cynthia’s grandmother, hanging in the center of the wall. In life, the old woman had been a strict schoolteacher–stern and uncompromising, except for the rare moments when she let her guard down around Cynthia.”

Benedict glanced at the portrait and quickly looked away, uneasy. The old woman’s gaze seemed to bore straight through him, as if she could see every secret he’d ever kept.

He sat down stiffly on the sofa, but the feeling of being watched didn’t leave him. He could almost sense those sharp eyes tracking his every move, a chill crawling up his spine.

Cynthia watched him squirm, a cold, bitter amusement flickering in her eyes.

She was certain: Benedict wouldn’t last two nights in this house.”

“I happened to be home when my grandmother passed away,” she said, her voice steady. “One moment, she was talking and telling she wanted to see you. Then, while I stepped away to cal! you, she was gone.”

Benedict flinched, scrambling to explain himself.}

-I was really busy that day. I must’ve missed your call.”

Cynthia nodded. “I know. You were in a meeting. Giselle picked up instead. I asked her to let you know my grandmother had passed away. She told me it was a peaceful end–a blessing, really.“}

As she spoke about that night, Cynthia’s eyes reddened, though not out of self–pity, It was still hard to believe her grandmother had simply vanished from her life.

Benedict stared at her, stricken. He fumbled for his phone, searching frantically through his call logs.

There was no record from that night. He realized, with a sinking feeling, that Giselle must have deleted it.

His knuckles whitened as he gripped the phone, rage and regret boiling beneath his skin.

Cynthia watched him calmly, recounting everything that had happened: calling the ambulance, the medics confirming the death, the arrangements for the funeral. Her voice was even, but her eyes were still rimmed with red.

Seeing her like this, Benedict felt suffocated by guilt. He could barely stand it.

“Cynthia, I’m so sorry” This apology, at least, came straight from the heart.”

But Cynthia just smiled faintly. “It doesn’t matter anymore,” she replied softly.

She glanced up at her grandmother’s portrait, her voice dropping to a murmur. “They say when someone passes, their spirit lingers in the house for a while. If you truly feel sorry, then stay here in the living room and ask her forgiveness. Who knows–maybe late at night, her spiet will visit you in your dreams and let you know how she feels?”

Benedict blanched, his composure faltering. ‘Cynthia…”

She fixed him with a piercing gaze. “What’s wrong? Are you scared?“}}

He shook his head quickly ‘Of course not*%

‘Good‘

Without another word, Cynthia turned and went into her bedroom, locking the door behind her.#

16:58

Chapter 52

Benedict sat frozen in the living room. He was the only one there, but it felt as though he was surrounded on all sides, the weight of unseen eyes pressing in from the darkness.}