He Said Caring For Girl Best Friend Was Duty, So I left Chapter 03

He Said Caring For Girl Best Friend Was Duty, So I left Chapter 03

That afternoon, after I got home alone, I got a call from a number I didn’t recognize.

“Hello, Ms. Cross.”

“The wedding venue you reserved with Mr. Hale has been secured.”

“Your dress fitting appointment has also been confirmed.”

I went still, my mind drifting.

The venue and the wedding dress—I’d booked them last year, and they’d never been used.

The coordinator laughed softly.

“Mr. Hale even brought you to see the venue today.”

“Looks like the wedding is finally happening.”

I was quiet for a moment before it clicked.

“The bride isn’t me.”

A pause. Then I said, “Please remove my contact information. And cancel the dress.”

The coordinator hesitated.

“But it’s a custom gown. I thought you loved it?”

I just said, “I don’t want it anymore. Give it to someone who does.”

At nine that night, the front door opened.

Bellamy and Derek walked in laughing and shoving each other.

Bellamy dropped onto the couch.

“I’m wiped out. Trying on wedding dresses is worse than running a mile.”

The moment the words left her mouth, she covered her mouth dramatically.

“Oh no—Wren, don’t get the wrong idea. I was helping a friend try on dresses.”

Derek came in behind her, several luxury shopping bags hung from his hands.

He frowned. “That’s enough.”

Bellamy stuck out her tongue and ran upstairs.

The living room fell quiet.

Derek set the bags on the table.

Then he explained casually.

“I went to check out a venue with her today. A friend’s getting married.”

I nodded. “Oh.”

His hand paused. As if he was waiting for me to ask more.

But I’d already looked back down at my phone.

After a long silence, he spoke, “You don’t believe me?”

I looked up, confused.

“Of course I do.”

Something flashed across his face.

Then he let out a cold laugh.

“Wren, drop your act.”

I stared at him.

“Derek, what kind of reaction are you hoping for?”

He choked on his own words. His expression darkened further.

“Whatever.”

Then he turned and headed upstairs.

I remained on the couch.

A few seconds later, my phone rang again.

The moment I saw the number, I picked up right away, “Mr. Collins?”

A woman’s voice came through instead.

“Ms. Cross? This is Fairview General Hospital.”

“Mr. Collins has been taken into emergency care.”

By the time I reached the hospital, the light above the emergency room was still on.

I was shaking so hard I could barely stand.

It was only when the light turned green that a nurse led me into a patient room.

Mr. Collins was awake.

The oxygen mask covered most of his face. He looked painfully thin.

The moment he saw me, he still tried to smile.

“What are you crying for? I’m not dead yet.”

My tears fell hard.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

He waved a weak hand.

“It’s an old condition.”

“I thought I’d wait until after you and Derek got married. Then we’d throw a proper celebration.”

At the mention of Derek, his eyes brightened.

“Where is that boy? Why didn’t he come with you?”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

Mr. Collins sighed. “Wren, you and Derek have always been my biggest worry.”

“You’re too kind, and he’s too stubborn.”

“When you’re married, look out for each other.”

I finally broke down, the tears wouldn’t stop.

After he fell asleep, I stepped out of the room with my phone.

Then I called Derek.

The phone rang for a long time before he answered.

“What is it?”

My voice shook. “Derek… Mr. Collins is dying.”

There was a beat of silence.

Then he said, “And?”

I closed my eyes.

“He wants to see you—one last time.”

A quiet chuckle came through the phone.

Derek sounded like he was in a great mood.

“Wren. You finally remembered how to call me.”

I didn’t answer. Tears kept falling.

Derek leaned back, wherever he was on the other end of the line.

His voice was lazy.

“You want me to come? Then beg.”

I gripped the phone so hard my fingers hurt.

“Derek. Just… please.”

His tone softened slightly.

“Alright. I’ll come tomorrow morning.”

“Stop crying. I promise.”

The call ended.

For the first time all day, I let myself breathe.

The next morning, I waited.

Sunrise to noon. Noon to evening. Derek never came.

Mr. Collins grew weaker and weaker. His mind was beginning to drift.

Yet he kept asking the same question.

“Where’s Derek? Is he stuck in traffic?”

I nodded over and over.

“Yeah. He’ll be here. He’ll be here any minute.”

Seven o’clock came.

Mr. Collins’s hand slowly slipped from mine.

The monitor’s rhythm flattened into a single unbroken line.