Left on His Wedding Night, the War God Returned

Chapter 5: No Wedding night

"There's nothing to forgive. You were sick. It's not like you planned this."

A small, relieved smile crossed Jasper's lips. "You're so kind, Sarah. So understanding. Kevin's lucky to have someone with such a big heart. And he's such a good man too, so patient with me even though I keep causing problems between you two."

"You don't cause problems."

"I do, and I know it, but you're both too generous to say it." His hand found hers again, holding it between both of his palms. "You're beautiful inside and out. Kevin's a lucky man. I hope he knows that."

Sarah felt warmth spread through her chest. "Stop talking like that and focus on getting better."

She stood up and stretched, feeling every vertebra in her spine pop. Her whole body ached from the uncomfortable chair.

"Are you hungry? I should get you something. Liquid diet, right? I'll find something nutritious nearby."

"You don't have to do that."

"Of course I do. You need to eat." She grabbed her purse and headed for the door.

"Sarah?"

She turned back. Jasper was looking at her with those soft, grateful eyes, tears still clinging to his lashes.

"Thank you. For everything. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Sarah smiled. "Get some rest. I'll be right back."

She stepped out into the hospital corridor, her mood lifting now that Jasper was stable and talking. The crisis was over. Everything would be fine.

Behind her, in the VIP ward, Jasper lay motionless for several long seconds. Then his lips curved upward, slow and deliberate.

 The tears dried on his face as his expression shifted from vulnerable to deeply satisfied, like a player who'd just executed the perfect move in a game only he knew he was playing.

By the time Sarah finished feeding Jasper his breakfast, the morning sun had climbed high over Milano. 

She'd spooned broth into his mouth, adjusted his pillows three times, and made sure the nurses knew to check on him every hour.

 Only when she was certain he was comfortable and resting did she finally remember Kevin.

Guilt crashed into her like a wave. Her husband. Her newlywed husband, still waiting at the hotel, or maybe not waiting anymore. God, what time was it?

She grabbed her things and rushed out, exhaustion making her limbs heavy as she flagged down a taxi back to the Aurora Palace Hotel.

 The entire ride, she practiced what she'd say. Kevin would understand.

 He had to understand. It was an emergency. Anyone would have done the same thing.

But when she pushed open the door to the honeymoon suite, the room was empty.

The bed was made. The champagne was gone. Rose petals had been swept away. Kevin's suitcase, the one he'd brought but never unpacked, was missing.

He'd left.

He'd checked out and left without even waiting for her to come back.

The guilt twisted into something sharper. 

Disappointment or Irritation. He couldn't even wait one morning? 

Couldn't give her the benefit of the doubt after she'd spent the night taking care of a sick friend?

 This was typical Kevin, shutting down and pulling away instead of communicating like an adult.

But underneath the irritation, uneasiness stirred. Maybe he really was angry this time. Maybe she'd pushed too far.

No. No, this was ridiculous. She'd done nothing wrong. Jasper was sick. What was she supposed to do, let him suffer alone just because Kevin wanted attention on their wedding night? That was so selfish…and of course childish.

She left the hotel and went home to their apartment in Navigli, the one they were supposed to have moved out of today. 

Her key still worked. Inside, moving boxes sat half packed, exactly as they'd left them before the wedding.

And there, standing by the floor to ceiling window overlooking the canal, was Kevin.

He was staring out at the water, his silhouette dark against the bright morning light. He looked distant, unreachable, like he was standing on the other side of a bridge she couldn't cross.

Relief and affection surged through her. He was here. He was home. Everything was fine.

Sarah crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her cheek against his back.

"Congratulations, Mr. Crown," she murmured. "We're married now. Officially."

He didn't move.

"I'm sorry about last night. I know it wasn't ideal, but Jasper's okay now and I'm here and we have the whole day ahead of us." She smiled against his shirt. "Let me take a shower and freshen up, and then we can pick up right where we left off last night. Our wedding night doesn't have to be over just because it got interrupted."

Kevin's body went rigid under her touch.

Then he reached up, took her hands in his, and pulled them away from his body. He turned around slowly, putting distance between them, and when Sarah saw his face, something cold slithered down her spine.

His eyes were empty…completelu Empty.

"Our wedding night no longer exists," he said quietly.