Atmosphere in the hospital room grew quiet as Chloe lay there, with Alice still dressed in her wedding attire, surrounded by Alden's grandmother and mother, along with the wedding officiant and a few witnesses for the wedding between Alice and Alden.
After speaking heart-to-heart with Alden, Chloe's request was finally granted. She would marry Alice, but only for herself. No more, no less. Before they all gathered in Chloe's hospital room, Alden spoke privately with Alice, telling her that their marriage wouldn't last long. If Chloe recovered, they would divorce, and Alden would marry Chloe. If Chloe passed away, they would divorce on the hundredth day after her departure.
Alden also didn't forbid Alice from pursuing a relationship with other men, as their marriage would have no physical contact whatsoever, making it easier for them both to handle the divorce. Alice agreed and accepted the arrangement, knowing that she and Gilbert could marry after her marriage to Alden was over, with nothing lost physically or emotionally.
The wedding was conducted in front of Chloe, making Alice and Alden officially husband and wife. As people congratulated Alice on her marriage to Alden, Chloe's eyes closed at the same time the door to her hospital room opened. Gilbert had arrived, his eyes reddening as he saw his beloved marrying someone else. As far as he knew, it was Chloe, his sister, who was supposed to get married today, not himself as he now faced.
"Gilbert," Alice whispered, her heart aching as she saw her beloved look shattered, just like her.
"Chloe...!" Alden exclaimed, holding Chloe, who had passed away forever. After seeing his beloved and adopted sister officially married, he felt at peace, knowing that Alice was in the hands of the right man.
Alice turned, her heart still in pain witnessing Gilbert's devastation, and now she was faced with Chloe's death. Her body weakened, her vision blurred, and she fainted. Fortunately, Gilbert immediately ran and caught Alice, preventing her from falling to the floor. Despite the pain in his heart, he couldn't bear to see Alice hurt.
Pengganti
Alice stared blankly at the mound of earth in front of her. She ignored the raindrops falling from the sky, as if the heavens wanted to cover up her never-ending tears of grief.
"Sis... why did you have to go so soon? Why did you leave me in this world? Weren't you the one who promised to always be by my side?" Alice whispered, caressing the gravestone embedded on the mound.
It was as if she was caressing Chloe's head, imagining Chloe sleeping in her lap, just as she always did when she felt tired after a day's work at the office.
"Sis... why do I have to marry Alden? I already have Gilbert, Sis," Alice lamented again, unable to contain her sorrow and bitterness.
She was truly not capable of facing her new life. A life without Chloe, and a life as Alden's wife. Giving up Gilbert, who loved her so deeply, and whom she loved equally.
Alice hit her own chest as the tightness and pain returned.
"Why, God? Why do I have to endure such a cruel fate? Haven't you taken enough from my family? Now you took my sister away and made me the wife of a man who doesn't love me!"
Amidst the pouring rain, next to the freshly dug grave, Alice cried uncontrollably. She blamed destiny for never being fair to her. Should she end her own life to put an end to it all?
"Alice..." a man's voice spoke. He sat down next to her, embracing her tightly. His embrace always calmed her heart and mind. It was the embrace of a man she loved deeply, and who loved her in return. The embrace of the man she hoped would be her husband one day.
"Gilbert... what should I do? What am I supposed to do after this?" Alice replied, sobbing even harder within his arms.
"Alice, I don't know what you should do, but what I do know is that I will always be by your side, supporting you through everything in life," Gilbert said with love and sincerity. "We will get through this together, through thick and thin, in joy and sorrow."
Gilbert tried to comfort Alice, allowing her tears to flow without interruption. He knew she was carrying an immense burden in her heart.
"I know it's not easy, but I promise to be there for you. You are not alone, Alice," Gilbert said gently. "I will try my best to be the person who will always be there for you, who will love you unconditionally."
"I know, Gilbert," Alice replied, trying to stop her tears. "I know you will always do your best for me."
Gilbert nodded, continuing to hold Alice tenderly. The rain continued to pour heavily, but they didn't care. They felt they had each other, and that was truly what mattered in the midst of this emotional storm.
In silence, they both knew that this journey wouldn't be easy. But with love and support for each other, they would face it together.
Gilbert listened to Alice's heart-wrenching words, understanding the weight of her pain and the immense struggle she was facing. He knew that asking her to be completely "rela" or selflessly accepting her current situation would be too much to ask for at this moment.
"I know, Alice. I can't possibly understand the depth of your pain, and I won't ask you to be completely 'rela' right now. It's okay to feel hurt, angry, and confused," Gilbert said softly, his hand gently caressing her back. "It's a difficult journey, and I will be here with you every step of the way."
Alice leaned into his comforting embrace, finding solace in his words. She appreciated his understanding and support during this tumultuous time.
"As for Alden, I can't deny the situation is challenging. But let's not forget that Chloe loved you and entrusted you with her wishes," Gilbert continued. "And even though Alden might not be showing the responsibility of a husband now, people can change, and I believe we shouldn't jump to conclusions too quickly."
Alice nodded, trying to process Gilbert's words. She knew deep down that Chloe's intentions were driven by love and care for her. She had to find a way to honor Chloe's wishes while also taking care of her own heart.
"I'll try my best, Gilbert. I'll try to find the strength to be 'rela' in the future," Alice said with a mix of determination and sadness. "But for now, I just need time to heal and figure things out."
"I understand, Alice. Take all the time you need. I'll be here by your side," Gilbert reassured her, his love and devotion unwavering.
Together, they sat there by Chloe's grave, finding comfort in each other's presence. They knew that healing would take time, and their journey ahead would be challenging. But with their love and support for one another, they were determined to face whatever the future held. As they embraced each other in the pouring rain, they knew that no matter what, they would navigate through life together, hand in hand.
"Do not speak like that, Alice. You must be strong. You still have your grandmother to take care of. And you still have me, who will faithfully accompany and protect you. Even though you're not mine anymore, at least I can be a place for you to come back to and confide in," Gilbert expressed, releasing his embrace on Alice so he could look into her eyes, which had always radiated happiness.
However, now those eyes were veiled with profound sorrow. They were also swollen and red.
"Believe me, Alice. You will be able to face all of this. You just have to be patient and willing. And trust me, I will always be by your side," he continued.
Alice smiled faintly, responding to what Gilbert said to her.
In truth, what Gilbert was willing to do could be accepted willingly if he were Chloe's chosen husband. However, at the moment, Alden was the man who held the status of her husband. So, could she accept her written fate?
She didn't know. Alice could only surrender and accept. Just like when her body floated and ended up in Gilbert's embrace.
It seemed that Gilbert didn't want Alice to sit and mourn Chloe's departure any longer. Besides being harmful to her mental health, the pouring rain and strong wind would also affect Alice's well-being later on.
Reluctantly, Gilbert carried Alice's shivering body away from Chloe's grave. He took her home, driving a car parked not far from the cemetery.
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes witnessed their togetherness. The eyes belonged to a man who was forced to marry Alice and, consequently, had to fetch her because of threats made by his own mother.
None other than Alden, who grew to hate Alice even more as her family took her side.
Alden didn't want to be bothered by anyone at this moment. However, his mother pushed him to pick up Alice. And what he saw now only fueled Alden's growing hatred toward the woman he had married just a few hours ago.
Upon arriving home, Alice went straight to the bathroom to change her clothes. As she entered the house, Gilbert bid her farewell, not wanting to cause discomfort with Chloe's close relatives and Alden's family still present in the house. He wanted to respect Alice's status as Alden's wife, so he chose to leave as soon as she stepped inside.
Unbeknownst to Gilbert, as his car left Chloe's house, it almost collided with a car driven by Alden.
In the car, Alden stared hatefully at the vehicle that had brought Alice home, especially at the man behind the wheel.
"Alden! Where have you been that another man had to bring your wife home?" a middle-aged woman immediately intercepted Alden as he stepped into Chloe's house.
"From the grave of the woman I loved," he replied, without stopping his steps.
"If you came from Chloe's grave, then why was another man the one who brought Alice home?" the middle-aged woman, who was none other than Alden's mother, pressed, trying to catch up with her son as he headed towards the second floor where Alice and Chloe's rooms were located. The rooms, situated side by side, now one of them had been vacated by its owner.
"I don't know who he is, Mom. But just wait, I'll ask Alice. So, please stay here!" Alden requested before ascending the stairs one by one, leading him to Alice's room.
Resigned, seeing the glint of anger in Alden's eyes, the woman could only sigh. She stopped in her tracks and returned to the living room to prepare for the memorial gathering for Chloe.
Unaware that Alden had reached Alice's room, he entered without hesitation and stared sharply at her. Alice, who had just come out of the bathroom, was startled to see Alden suddenly in her room.
"Besides being shameless and cunning, turns out you're also cheap! Using my future wife's grave as a place to have an affair with that man," Alden said flatly, stepping closer to Alice, who looked frightened while trying to cover her petite body with a towel.
"W-what do you mean?" she murmured as Alden pressed his body against the bathroom door.
"What do you mean, you ask?" Alden retorted, growing angrier as Alice refused to admit her encounter with the man at Chloe's grave earlier.
Alice could only nod silently, surrendering to whatever Alden was going to do to her. Just as Gilbert had advised her. To surrender and accept willingly.