Jarrod faced the camera as if he could see the girl through the lens.
For a man who seemed to have it all, his expression at that moment was filled with a self-deprecating weariness.
Even through the screen, it made one''s heart tighten with an inexplicable pang of sorrow.
When he said those words, the atmosphere in the venue grew heavy.
Everyone''s expression mirrored a shared sense of empathy, as if they had been pulled directly into Jarrod''s state of mind at that moment.
Lucinda felt a deep unease. She had always known Jarrod was a reserved child with a profound inner world, never one to wear his heart on his sleeve. But his spirit had always been strong. Yet, when it came to Elodie, it seemed he had weathered years of silent dampness in a hidden corner of his heart, with no sign of the clouds ever parting.
As a mother, her eyes suddenly began to burn.
Let alone everyone else.
Who would have thought that today they would witness the secret love story of the renowned Mr. Silverstein?
The video diary continued.
The scenes kept changing.
It was a habit Jarrod had kept, as if everything about her was something he could never change.
"Your research is starting to find its direction. I always knew you were brilliant. You should always be like this, shining brightly in the field you love."
"I''m not one to give up easily. But with you, Elodie, I always find my hands tied. The decisiveness I have with others, I can''t seem to apply it to you."
"Today is a special day. We''ve connected on a deeper level. I''ve never been this happy. I''ve nned everything, our entire future. But Elodie, you don''t seem as happy. Your unease... it still stung me. But I don''t want to let go. For once, I want to let things take their course, even if it''s a muddle."
"Our families have set a date for us to register the marriage. Given the current climate, with so many vultures circling, a high-profile wedding right now would only subject you to malicious gossip. All sorts of unsavory characters would emerge. I don''t want anyone to tarnish your view of the world."
"Three days until we register. To be honest, I haven''t slept well for three nights. If I told you, you''d probablyugh at me. I think I''ll tell you slowly, in the future, when the time is right. It''s fine if youugh. Still, I hope your married life with me will be everything you hoped for."
is
"I don''t think our marriage license photo turned out well. It''s like I''ve forgotten how to smile. I was so happy, maybe I was just nervous? Not having a wedding ceremon my failing. I will make it up toyou. So the proposal won''t be missing either. You''ll have all the formalities everyone else has. Starting today, I''ll start practicing. We''ve been married for a month now. How do you feel? For the proposal, let''s pretend we''re not married yet. Elodie, will you marry me?"
"I brought you a crocodile leather bag from my trip. I actually hid matching bracelets inside, engraved with our names. Why didn''t you look inside? I had them custom- made. So, Elodie, will you marry me?"
"You feel insecure when you sleep, and you''re still not that close to me, so I''m the one who secretly pulls you into my arms at night. In the morning, I just say you were after my body. You''re angry but can''t say anything. I always tease you on purpose. Elodie, will you still marry me?"
"Today is your birthday. After
studying abroad for so many years,
I''ve be quite handy in the kitchen can cook all your favorite dishes You asked if a professional chet made them lve made a n. Let''s have the wedding in thetter half of the year, in autumn, your favorite season. So, today''s Elodie, will you marry me?"
"At The Silverstein Group''spany retreat, we ran into some people from our circle. They were immediately taken with you. Turns out I''ma really petty person. I was distracted all through dinner And you smiled at them. Don''t you know how captivating you are? Never mind Will you marry me today? I''M more handsome have a better body, and am in better health than those guys. Your call."