Chapter 757

Rosalind and Harrison met at The Grand View, an upscale restaurant in Willowbrook. They were seated in an elegant private dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. Rosalind slid the leather-bound menu across the table.

"You've been waiting at the courthouse all morning—you must be famished. Order anything you like."

Harrison didn't hesitate. Her fingers traced the embossed lettering as she selected the most exquisite dishes.

Rosalind leaned forward, her manicured nails tapping the tablecloth. "What exactly happened today? Nathaniel was supposed to meet you."

Harrison's shoulders tensed. "I don't know. I tried calling repeatedly—it just kept ringing."

Rosalind slammed her palm on the table, making the silverware jump. "Unacceptable! Standing you up on your wedding day? I'm calling him right now!"

She yanked her phone from her clutch and dialed Nathaniel's number. The line rang endlessly before going to voicemail.

"This makes no sense," Rosalind muttered, tossing her phone onto the table. "He always answers. Where could he be?"

As their food arrived, Harrison picked at her seared scallops without appetite.

"Don't worry," Rosalind said firmly. "I'll drag him here by his tie if I have to."

Harrison's fork hovered mid-air. Nathaniel had been the one insisting on this courthouse wedding. Even if he'd changed his mind, he would've told her directly. This radio silence was completely out of character.

Rosalind studied Harrison's expression. "I'm not making excuses for him, but think about it—this isn't like Nathaniel at all. What if something's wrong?"

Harrison's breath caught. After hours of waiting alone, the possibility hit her like ice water.

Nathaniel would never ghost her like this. Not when he'd spent months convincing her to marry him.

Harrison pulled out her phone with trembling fingers. "His phone's been off all day. That never happens."

"I'm calling Falcon Estate," she announced. "Let's see if Victoria or Charlotte have heard from him."

Rosalind nodded approval as Harrison dialed.

At the Falcon family mansion, Victoria sat with Charlotte in the sunlit parlor. The little girl bounced excitedly on the antique sofa.

"Grandma Victoria! Mommy and Daddy are married now, right?"

Victoria smoothed Charlotte's hair with a tender smile. "Yes, darling. From today onward, our family is complete."

Charlotte shook her head, eyes sparkling. "Not complete—there's four of us!"

Victoria blinked in surprise. "Four? Is your mother expecting?"

Giggling behind her hands, Charlotte corrected, "No silly! I mean you, me, Daddy and Mommy—we're a family of four!"

Victoria's hands stilled. A lifetime of loneliness—her disastrous marriage, the years of isolation—all melted under the warmth of Charlotte's innocent declaration.

Tears welled in Victoria's eyes as Charlotte threw her small arms around her. "When I grow up, I'll take care of you forever, Grandma!"

In that moment, decades of heartache dissolved. Victoria clung to the child, her voice thick with emotion. "And I will love you forever, my darling..."

The grandfather clock chimed as the phone began to ring.