Chapter 21 Otherwise, I Won't Be at That Wedding Chapter 21 Otherwise, I Won't Be at That Wedding As Violet stepped inside, Clara greeted her with a warm smile. "Violet, you made it!" Clara pulled her to sit close, her affection a bit overwhelming. Sure, Clara had always been kind, but this level of warmth was new. Byron, hearing Violet's voice, came down from his study. "Well, well, Violet! Just off work? You look thinner-work keeping you busy?" Violet, a bit uneasy under the attention, smiled. "Grandpa, work's been hectic, but I'm managing." "Good, good. Our Violet's a go-getter. How's that burn on your neck healing?" Violet froze. How did they know about that? She touched her neck absently, brushing it off with a laugh. "It's fine, doesn't hurt anymore." Byron's gaze snapped to his grandson, irritation flaring. "Gavin, get over here!" "Apologize to Violet!" Violet's brow twitched, but she waved it off casually. "Grandpa, no need. He didn't splash me." She didn't need anyone's apology-especially not a half-hearted one. It didn't matter. Byron wasn't having it. "He needs to apologize! He's too careless, always buried in work, but that's no excuse to neglect you. Don't be mad, Violet." Clara chimed in, "Exactly, don't hold it against him." Gavin took a deep breath, staring at the floor. "Sorry." "Louder!" Byron barked, his temper rising. Gavin's temple pulsed, but he raised his voice. "Sorry, I didn't know you got burned." "Violet smirked inwardly. What was knowing gonna change? Would he care about her over his precious sister?" Wayne, legs crossed lazily, fixed Gavin with a sharp look. "And the other one?" Gavin's brows knotted. "Uncle Wayne, this has nothing to do with Luna. She's innocent-she didn't know Cora would flip out like that." Wayne's eyes narrowed. "Oh? Then let Luna explain what she was doing with Violet that day." Luna bit her lip, her face pale as paper. "Uncle, L..." "Enough, Gavin, shut it!" Byron's cane swung toward him. Then his piercing gaze landed on Luna, the adopted granddaughter with no Braxton blood. "Luna, apologize." Gavin shot Luna a worried look, knowing if he defended her again, she'd be targeted worse. Luna clutched her dress, steeling herself. "Violet, I'm sorry. I didn't know Cora would splash you." 16 7% Chapter 21 Otherwise, I Wont Be at That Wedding Violet smiled faintly. "Alright, I hear you." Luna's eyes flickered with hope. "You're so big hearted, Violet. You'll forgive me, right?" Violet's gaze turned icy. "Oh, Luna, trying to force my forgiveness now?" "Since we're laying it all out. I've got something to say. I told Gavin already, Sir Braxton-don't know if he mentioned it." Gavin's heart lurched. This crazy woman-what was she about to say? She wouldn't dare tell Byron she was calling off the engagement, would she? Clara's heart skipped, and she grabbed Violet's hand. "Come on, Violet, let's eat first. It's almost seven-you must be starving." Nathan, silent until now, caught his wife's hint. "Yeah, let's eat. Dad, let's start dinner." Wayne stood, his lips curling in a half-smile as he glanced at Clara's ashen face and Gavin's stormy one. In that brief moment, Gavin had been terrified Violet would spill. He feared if she did, Luna would be shipped abroad again for another five years. Dinner was tense, everyone distracted. Violet had given Clara some face, but tonight, she was determined to clear things up. 'Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I'm full. I'll head to my room," Luna said, setting down her fork and knife first. 3yron glanced at her coolly. "Fine." lara smoothed things over. "Luna, go on upstairs." She shot Nathan a look. He got the message. "Dad, I want to talk about that Boston project with you and Wayne." Byron wasn't thrilled. "It has to be now?" Nathan hesitated. "...It's urgent." Byron grudgingly followed them upstairs, but not before turning to Violet. "Violet, eat up. I'll be back soon." With everyone cleared out, Clara had her chance to talk to Violet alone. Violet set down her fork and knife, sensing Clara wanted a private word with her. Gavin, go grab that box from upstairs, Now!" Gavin gave Violet a long look before heading off. Clara took Violet's hand. "Violet, I'm sorry you've been put through this. My son's a blockhead-don't hold it against him. You two have been together for five years to get here. The wedding's so close-forgive his childishness." "Once you're married, if he dares mistreat you, I'll set him straight. If I don't, his grandpa will. Calm down, sweetie. I'm thrilled to have you as my daughter-in-law, and I can't wait for the wedding day." Violet gave a soft smile. "Clara." "But I'm not marrying Gavin. Didn't he tell you?" 14:50 Left Me Hanging at the City Hall? I Married Your Uncle 16.9 Chapter 21 Otherwise, I Wont Be at That Wedding "After we couldnt get the license that day, I decided I'm not marrying him." Clara's smile froze. "Violet, tell me-what did he do to upset you? 111 make him pay! But saying no wedding? I don't want to hear that." Violet sneered inwardly. Sure, she said she was on her side, but what mom didn't back her own kid? "Clara, for five years, I tried convincing myself Gavin loved me. But even now, I feel no love from him." "I remember all his favorite things, his favorite colors." "I was happy to trail behind him, his little shadow. When he brought me to meet his buddies, I was over the moon, thinking he really loved me. That he was finally ready to love me." "But some things you can't fake. With someone else, he doesn't need to be told-he remembers every little thing about her, every detail." "He never forgets a single day spent with her. But me? He can't even remember our scheduled day to get the license." Violet fixed Clara with a steady gaze. "Clara, I can't accept a loveless engagement. I can't do a marriage where we just play nice and live separate lives." "Clara, don't I deserve to walk away?" Her soul-baring question left Clara speechless, reduced to a sigh. "It's Gavin's fault, Violet. You're not wrong." I didn't raise him right-it's not your fault." Clara squeezed her hand. "But Violet, can you give us a little time? Byron's old, and I'm worried this'll hit him hard.' "How about this: skip the license for now, go through with the wedding ceremony, then tell him you two aren't right for each other. Sound okay?" Violet's eyes cooled. "Clara, that's not okay. If we do the ceremony, everyone will think I'm married." "Do you think that's fair for me?" Clara fell silent. "At most. I'll give you five days to figure out how to tell Grandpa." "Otherwise, I won't be at that wedding." Violet stood. "Clara. I've got to go. Please tell Grandpa I'm heading out." She'd done her part, handled it as gracefully as she could. Gavin, unable to find the box, came back downstairs, frustrated, only to see his mom alone. "Where is she? Clara shot him a withering glare. "Your fiancée ran off. Happy now?" 30 (0) 17.2% d Your Wincle