1 Violet Song

Ivy and ferns grew through the crevices of the old winding stone path, which led directly to a colossal structure. At its threshold stood the delicate marble fountain, the soft gurgling of the clear water melodic as it resonated in the surrounding silence. From the mud come flowers as golden as sunshine, as fluid as rain. It was the perfect day for a perfect event like a wedding.

The mansion loomed proudly behind huge iron gates, flanked by rows of skeletal trees, branches full of leaves swaying gently to the spring wind.

Inside the mansion, everyone was busy preparing for the huge event that was about to take place soon. Servants were walking here and there, doing the jobs they were assigned to do.

Meanwhile, inside a room, a woman dressed beautifully in a white gown stood before the mirror, looking at her own reflection.

Her black eyes were full of excitement that her face couldn't contain the emotions lingering inside her. The side of her rosy lips was curled up into a smile, she was smiling at her own reflection.

Her hair was as black as the night sky which contrasted against her fair skin. Her hair was styled into a low bun with a few curled strands shaping the side of her face.

"Finally." She breathed out in a whisper.

Violet Song has always waited for this day. The day where she could finally marry the man she has always loved and dated. It truly was like a dream come true that she could feel butterflies in her stomach.

A knock was suddenly heard, interrupting her from her thoughts.

"Come in." She said, giving the person outside permission to enter.

The door was pushed open and she saw an old man waiting for her with a smile, The old man had a fringe of grey-white hair. His back slightly hunched and his movement slow. In his eyes could be seen the young boy in him still yearning to return to his train set. "Ah... you look just like your mother, Violet."

"Grandpa..." She lifted up her skirt a bit just so that she can walk easier.

He walked forward and meet her in between. He leaned forward to give his granddaughter a hug.

Tears welled up in her eyes but she tried her best not to cry as she hugged him back.

A chuckled was heard from the old man before he pulled away, "You better not cry."

"I won't." She said with a small pout on her lips.

He kindly smiled at her as he got a closure look at her face. "Are you nervous?"

"Yes, kind of." She chuckled a bit.

"Don't be. I don't want you suddenly tripping while walking down the aisle later." He said with a teasing grin.

She huffed, "I'll make sure to bring you down with me since I'm holding on to you, remember? Let's see how strong you are grandpa."

He laughed at the words she said, "Truly a naughty girl."

"And you're a naughty grandpa."

"Am I?"

"You are."

He chuckled lightly, "Might be. Anyway, we should get going now. You don't want to be late for your wedding, right?"

Another knock was heard and since the door was open, Violet Song and, her grandfather, Andrew Song turned their heads towards him.

"Excuse me, Ms. Song," A servant said politely. "I've been told that the wedding is delayed by an hour by Madam Guan."

Andrew furrowed his brows upon hearing his words, "What do you mean?"

On the other hand, Violet was confused, "Is there something wrong?"

"T-that's..." The servant stuttered under the old man's piercing gaze.

"Spit it out," Andrew said icily.

"Madam Guan said that... young master Guan is running late."

"Late?! Is he serious?! This is his and my granddaughter's wedding for goodness sake!" He burst out in anger.

Violet held her grandfather's arm as she tried to calm him down. "Grandpa, Jason might have dealt with something serious. Why don't we wait, instead?"

He faced his gentle granddaughter and felt sorry for her but wanting her to be happy, in the end, he couldn't do anything but to wait for another hour.

While Violet was left alone in the room, she felt so anxious. One hour felt like an eternity and for some reason, she couldn't stop worrying.

She decided to give her fiance a call. It rang for a few seconds before the call went through.

"Jason? Where are you?" Violet asked worriedly.

A sigh was heard from the other line, "I'm sorry for delaying our wedding, cupcake. I'm already on my way there, don't worry."

She was relieved with the words that came from him. "I see... I can't wait to see you. Take care."

"Mm."

"I love-"

The call was ended before she could even finish her sentence.

She sighed heavily and comforted herself at the thought that he was on his way. The wedding was still going to happen. That's what mattered, right?

Just then, her phone vibrated.

When she opened the message that came from an unknown number, there was no content except for a photo. It was a photo of a woman and beside her, her fiance was standing.

Her eyes went wide in disbelief when she saw the photo. The shocking part of the photo was the part where the couple was staring at an ultrasound monitor.

Her hand trembled, making her lose grip of the phone. She stumbled backward with tears in her eyes.

Even without words, she knew what it was about especially when that girl beside her fiance happened to be his ex-girlfriend. There was no mistaking it.

Did he delay their marriage after finding out that his ex was pregnant? Did she matter more than her? No wonder... no wonder her instincts were telling her that something was wrong ever since she saw them together two months ago.

Just like a fragile glass, her heart instantly shattered upon finding out about her lover's betrayal. What did she do to deserve this? All she did was to be a good girl; a girl that people, including her lover, can be proud of, and yet, what did he repay her?

Was Jason going to cancel their wedding once he arrived? Was he going to reject her in front of everyone?

No, no. She was not going to allow that to happen. She was not going to allow him to have the final say.

As she bent down to pick up the phone from the ground, tears began flowing out uncontrollably, dripping one by one on the ground. Her lips trembled, her body shivered as she ended up kneeling on the ground. Even being in so much pain, the fact that she still loves him didn't change. She couldn't bring herself to stand up and run away from the place.

Oh, how she wished for someone to take her away... someone who can hug her and say that everything was going to be alright.

"Violet?"

A voice brought her back to reality.

She slowly raised her head and saw her grandfather, looking at her in surprise upon seeing the state she was in. With her quivering voice, she breathed out, "Grandpa..."