Chapter 8: The Wedding Invitation

Autumn arrived quietly in Khelmark.

The gardens surrounding the Lyttelton Estate turned shades of gold and crimson, making every morning look like a painting.

Nearly two months had passed since Zoe left Southport.

During that time, she had slowly rebuilt herself.

The nightmares from her previous life became less frequent.

The painful memories of Connor no longer controlled her emotions.

Instead, every new day gave her another reason to believe happiness could exist without sacrifice.

One afternoon, Lucian returned home earlier than usual.

He found Zoe sitting beneath a maple tree reading one of her favorite novels.

"Miss Herbert," he called with a gentle smile.

"I have something for you."

She closed the book and looked up.

"Another gift?"

"Not exactly."

He handed her an elegant envelope.

"It's our wedding invitation design."

"I thought you should approve it before anything is printed."

Zoe opened it carefully.

The invitation was simple yet elegant.

Cream-colored paper with silver lettering.

No excessive decorations.

No unnecessary luxury.

Everything reflected quiet sophistication.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

"But... shouldn't your family decide these things?"

Lucian shook his head.

"It's our wedding."

"Your opinion matters just as much as mine."

His answer warmed her heart.

For so many years, every important decision had been made without considering her feelings.

Now someone was asking for her opinion before making even the smallest choice.

"I'd like this design," Zoe said softly.

"Then we'll use it."

Without hesitation, Lucian instructed Ethan to begin printing the invitations.

Several days later, invitations were delivered to influential families across the country.

One envelope eventually arrived at the Buxton residence in Southport.

Connor happened to be the one who opened it.

The moment he saw the names printed together, his breathing became uneven.

"Lucian Lyttelton..."

"Zoe Herbert..."

Wedding Date:

Only three weeks away.

He stared at the invitation for several minutes.

Until now, part of him had believed Zoe might eventually change her mind.

Maybe the engagement was only temporary.

Maybe she simply needed time away.

But now...

Everything had become real.

Vicky walked into the living room carrying shopping bags.

"Connor?"

"What's wrong?"

She noticed the invitation in his hands.

"Oh..."

"Their wedding invitation arrived already?"

"That was fast."

Connor didn't answer.

His silence made Vicky increasingly uneasy.

"We're still getting married first," she reminded him.

"You haven't forgotten that... right?"

"No."

"Of course not."

Yet his voice lacked conviction.

That evening, Connor couldn't concentrate on anything.

Finally, he drove toward the old beach where he and Zoe had spent countless summers as teenagers.

The place looked exactly the same.

Only one thing had changed.

She wasn't there anymore.

As waves crashed gently against the shore, forgotten memories surfaced one after another.

Zoe running barefoot across the sand.

Zoe waiting with homemade lunch whenever he worked late.

Zoe celebrating every one of his achievements as though they were her own.

She had always been there.

So consistently...

That he never imagined life without her.

"Idiot..." he muttered bitterly.

"I really was an idiot."

Back in Khelmark, wedding preparations progressed smoothly.

Unlike traditional high-society ceremonies, Lucian insisted on keeping everything modest.

"I don't want an extravagant wedding," he explained.

"I'd rather have a meaningful one."

"The fewer unnecessary guests, the better."

"I agree," Zoe replied.

"A wedding should celebrate two people, not impress strangers."

Lucian smiled.

"Looks like we think alike."

As the days passed, they spent more time together.

Sometimes they cooked dinner.

Sometimes they played chess in the library.

Sometimes they simply walked through the gardens without speaking.

Oddly enough...

The silence between them never felt uncomfortable.

One evening, while arranging flowers inside the mansion, Zoe accidentally cut her finger.

"Ah..."

Before she could react, Lucian gently took her hand.

"You're bleeding."

He carefully disinfected the small wound before wrapping it with a bandage.

"There," he said softly.

"Be more careful next time."

"I'm sorry."

"No."

"You don't need to apologize for getting hurt."

His calm response made Zoe unexpectedly emotional.

Connor had once blamed her for spilling hot coffee on herself.

Lucian apologized because she had been injured.

The contrast couldn't have been greater.

Late that night, Zoe stood alone outside her bedroom.

Looking up at the stars, she quietly smiled.

Perhaps...

This was what peace truly felt like.

At that very moment, Connor sat alone inside his dark office.

The wedding invitation remained on his desk.

He picked it up once more.

His fingers trembled slightly as he traced Zoe's name.

"I thought you'd always be waiting for me..." he whispered.

For the first time in his life...

Connor Buxton finally admitted the truth he had spent years denying.

He had fallen in love with Zoe.

But by the time he realized it...

She already belonged to someone else.