The last of the guests left just after sunset.
The once lively Davies estate had finally fallen silent.
Adeline stood alone on the balcony of their bedroom, gazing at the sprawling gardens below. Tiny fairy lights wrapped around the hedges flickered softly in the evening breeze, while the fountain in the centre of the courtyard trickled peacefully.
She smiled.
It was beautiful.
She had imagined this moment countless times, but somehow reality was even better.
The sound of footsteps behind her pulled her from her thoughts.
"Planning your escape already?" Dwayne asked with a teasing smile.
She turned to face him.
"I was thinking about it."
"Oh?"
"Mmm."
She walked toward him slowly.
"I've heard husbands can be very demanding."
He raised an eyebrow.
"And where exactly did you hear that?"
"My sister."
Dwayne chuckled.
"Rose?"
"The very same."
He shook his head.
"I'll have to stop taking advice from her, then."
Adeline laughed, the sound warm and effortless.
For the first time that day, Dwayne felt his chest lighten.
No wedding.
No guests.
No speeches.
Just the woman he loved.
"I still can't believe we're married," she whispered.
He reached for her hand, gently running his thumb over the new wedding band on her finger.
"Neither can I."
She looked into his eyes.
"Any regrets?"
The question caught him off guard.
His smile faltered for the briefest moment.
Then he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
"Not a single one."
It wasn't a complete lie.
Marrying Adeline was the easiest decision he'd ever made.
It was everything that came before her that haunted him.
Gently, he found the ropes to her robe and undid them effortlessly.
As her robes dropped to the floor, he lifted her to the couch kissing every bit of her nudity then he picked her up again and placed her on the bed, spreading her legs apart before gently crawling into her arms
"I love you"
"I love you too"ț
...
Downstairs, Jarvis wandered into the kitchen in search of coffee.
Instead, he found Rose helping the housekeeper pack away trays of desserts.
"You escaped too?" Rose asked with a grin.
Jarvis shrugged.
"Too many happy couples."
Rose laughed.
"I suppose weddings aren't everyone's favourite event."
"They're fine."
"You don't sound convinced."
Jarvis reached for a biscuit, avoiding her gaze.
"I just don't like all the fuss."
Rose watched him for a moment.
"You love your brother, don't you?"
"Of course."
"And Adeline?"
His hand paused.
"She's family now."
The answer came too quickly.
Rose noticed.
She said nothing.
Some silences were kinder than questions.
Instead, she smiled and changed the subject.
"So..."
"I've heard you're the favourite child."
Jarvis groaned dramatically.
"Who told you that?"
"Dwayne."
"He lies."
"I had a feeling."
Their laughter echoed through the kitchen.
For the first time all day, Jarvis forgot the ache he carried.
...
Much later...
The estate had gone completely quiet.
Dwayne stood alone in his study.
The black envelope lay on the desk before him.
He stared at it as though it might disappear if he looked long enough.
It didn't.
His mobile buzzed.
One new message.
No number.
No name.
Just four words.
Did you miss me?
His pulse quickened.
He looked towards the closed study door.
Adeline was upstairs.
Safe.
Happy.
Unaware.
Without replying, he deleted the message.
Then another arrived almost instantly.
You can't erase me.
Dwayne closed his eyes.
For ten years, he'd convinced himself the past had stayed where it belonged.
Tonight, for the first time...
He realised it had been walking towards him all along.
Outside the study window, the wind stirred the trees.
Somewhere beyond the estate gates, a dark car sat motionless beneath the shadows.
Its engine was off.
Its headlights were dark.
Inside, someone watched the illuminated windows of the Davies estate in complete silence.
Then, after several minutes, the car pulled away into the night.
The game had begun.
Dwayne simply didn't know he was already losing.