The Abandoned Bride's Flash Marriage - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Gwyneth didn't dwell on it. The air was fragrant with flowers, and the view was breathtaking. She took a few photos and sent them to Carol Roth, a close friend she hadn't caught up with in ages.
Carol and Gwyneth had been inseparable since high school. While Gwyneth had thrown herself into building Everprosper Group with Zachary, Carol had stayed in Joracity, working as a conservator at the Joracity Museum.
Galvocity and Joracity were miles apart, but their friendship remained unbroken. They loved sharing their lives, chatting and sending photos back and forth without fail.
Carol's reply came almost instantly: [What a stunning flower field! Is this some new hot spot? Or did Zachary book the place just to apologize?]
[Nothing to do with Zachary—I'm just out exploring on my own,] Gwyneth typed, her mind drifting to the bookmark that had fallen from Harrison's book. [Hey, do you remember that leaf bookmark I used to love in high school?]
Carol was quick to respond: [Hmm, not really. You had so many bookmarks! Maybe I'm just too worn out from work to remember.]
Gwyneth had to admit she had a point. She was a bookmark collector, and she had way too many with leaves. If even Carol couldn't remember, maybe she was just mixing up her memories. Maybe Harrison's bookmark just looked similar to the one she used to love.
The typing bubble flickered, showing that Carol was responding.
Gwyneth was in the middle of snapping a few more photos when her phone buzzed. It was Carol, sending over two screenshots of texts from Zachary, along with a message: [Hey, Zachary's been blowing up my phone, asking about you. Did you guys fight again?]
In the screenshots, Zachary's messages were all the same: "Gwennie this" and "Gwennie that," promising apologies and begging her to come back, all the usual sweet talk.
But Carol never replied. She'd seen this routine too many times. Every fight between Zachary and Gwyneth ended up with Zachary reaching out to Carol, and Carol was just plain tired of it.
Now, Gwyneth felt the same way. She didn't even want to take photos anymore. She told Carol everything about Zachary and Bella.
Carol was so angry that she called Gwyneth right away. Her voice came through the phone like a storm. "Ugh! I knew Zachary and Bella were nothing but trouble. How many fights have you guys had since he got involved with her?
"If you hadn't still cared about him back then, I would've—"
Gwyneth was about to respond when she saw Harrison walking over. She quickly ended the call.
Carol didn't waste any time. She started texting Gwyneth nonstop.
[Why'd you hang up? Are you breaking up with me as well?]
[Sorry, really. I'll be better next time. I'll be the ultimate wingwoman.]
[My dearest Gwennie!]
It was all so over the top. Gwyneth didn't have time to deal with it. She quickly typed back: [Chill. I'm at my husband's place meeting his family. Can't talk right now.]
There was a brief silence.
Harrison walked up to her, glancing at her phone. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No, just showing my friends around the garden. It's really something," Gwyneth said, shaking her head.
Her phone vibrated again. It was Carol again.
[Husband? You've just broken up. Who's the lucky guy?"
[Height, looks, and family background. Send me all the details. Now.]
[And if he's got abs, send a photo.]
Gwyneth's heart sank. Carol had no filter. If Harrison saw those messages, she'd be mortified.
She quickly typed: [Catch up later.] And then she turned on Do Not Disturb.
Harrison's brow furrowed just a bit. He'd never seen her so absorbed in anything before. "If you're feeling uncomfortable here, I can have Clyde take you home," he suggested.
"Huh?" Gwyneth glanced up, her phone slipping into her pocket. "But dinner hasn't started yet. That'd be pretty rude, wouldn't it?"
"Up to you," Harrison said, shrugging it off like it was no big deal. "Your call." He made it sound like skipping dinner was as casual as choosing between tea or coffee. To him, Gwyneth's comfort clearly mattered more than sticking around for a fancy meal.
But Gwyneth shook her head. "You've been great, really. I can handle playing Mrs. Lopez," she said, stepping closer and looping her arm through his. "Besides, Liam would be pretty upset if we left early."
Harrison's arm tensed for a second, then relaxed. "Alright. Let's head to the study. You can chill there for a bit."
"Sounds good," Gwyneth replied, walking beside him. Their linked arms swung gently as they strolled through the flower fields.
Inside the house, behind the glass walls, eyes followed their every move.
Harrison's study was just like any other room in the house—ordinary, functional. The desk was piled high with documents, and an entire wall was lined with books on business and management.
But it was the small, cozy sofa in the corner that Gwyneth loved the most. With Harrison's permission, she took the soft pillow and thin blanket the maid had brought and settled in for a nap.
When Harrison came back a while later, he couldn't help but smile at the sight of her, so relaxed and unguarded.
Clyde, who was hunched over some papers, looked up and said, "Nolan might not make it back from abroad in time—"
"Hush," Harrison whispered, taking a seat across from Gwyneth. He rested his chin on his hand, flipping through his book every now and then but mostly just watching her. Clyde quietly slipped out, leaving them alone.
Evening finally rolled around. Gwyneth stood in front of the mirror, blinking away the sleepiness as she touched up her makeup. Harrison waited patiently by the door. "Dad and Nolan are both overseas tonight. Only Lance will be there—don't worry about what he says."
"Okay," Gwyneth replied, her smile soft and genuine as she took Harrison's hand. She was wearing a beautiful violet mermaid dress that shimmered in the light. Together, they headed downstairs to join the dinner.
The family gathered around the table. Liam took his place at the head, with his eldest grandson, Lance, seated to his left. On the right sat his third grandson, Harrison, and Gwyneth.
With almost a twenty-year gap between them, Lance and Harrison looked more like uncle and nephew than peers.
As Gwyneth reached for her fork, Lance's voice cut through the clinking of silverware. "Harrison's health issues are unfortunate, but marrying a Jenkins wasn't necessary. We can stand strong here without relying on old connections.
"Still, given Harrison's... personality, it's surprising any woman—especially someone as beautiful and kind as Gwyneth—would marry him willingly."
A few offhand remarks, but they stung. The Lopez family was wealthy and powerful, and with that came a web of internal conflicts and power struggles. Gwyneth kept eating quietly, avoiding trouble.
Harrison didn't look up. "Gwyneth is beautiful and kind. I'll take that compliment for her."
Gwyneth blinked in surprise.
Lance's eyes flickered with surprise as well. The others at the table exchanged uneasy glances. They'd all assumed Harrison and Gwyneth's affection was just an act. But he actually stood up for her in front of Lance—that was unusual.