Eleanor hadn''t expected Vanessa to turn up at all-certainly not as a bridesmaid.


    Vanessa, for her part, spotted Eleanor almost instantly. Noticing Xavier seated at Eleanor''s side, she offered a faint, enigmatic smile before turning her attention forward, focusing on the couple at the altar.


    The ceremony began in earnest. With the officiant guiding them, the bride and groom exchanged rings and vows. Apuse erupted throughout the chapel, and Eleanor joined in, pping along with the crowd.


    Xavier apuded too, but his eyes kept drifting to Eleanor, searching her face. On a day as festive as this, was she thinking about her own wedding the one from years ago?


    The memory was still vivid for him: Eleanor, radiant and beaming, arm in arm withn. Back then, Xavier had offered his heartfelt congrattions to his best friend, never imagining how things would change.


    Afterward, Eleanor had quietly vanished fromn''s social circle. Rumor had it she was staying home, devoted to domestic life as a full-time wife.


    Then, everything shifted the day he saw her abroad-poised and graceful as she took the stage to y a piece on the piano. Perhaps that was when she first caught his heart.


    Later came that day at theke. When Eleanor slipped into the water, and asn dove in after Vanessa, Xavier didn''t hesitate-he jumped in to save Eleanor.


    Another time, as he was heading home, he saw her standing beneath a streemp, shivering in the cold, so fragile and alone. An urge to protect her welled up inside him, and from that moment, he couldn''t help paying more attention to her.


    He knew perfectly well it was taboo to covet his friend''s wife-but still...


    He never imagined it would end in divorce.


    Now, watching Eleanor''s calm,posed face, untouched by the ceremony''s emotion, Xavier felt the corner of his mouth lift in quiet relief.


    Onstage, the bride turned to the crowd, her voice sweet through the microphone. "Now,dies, I''m going to toss my bouquet. I hope to pass along a bit of today''s happiness. Ready? Here we go!"


    The bridesmaids-all single-gathered at the front, joined by other unmarried women eager to catch the bride''s luck.


    Vanessa''s eyes lit up with anticipation. She watched the bride''s movements closely, ready to pounce.


    The brideughed, turned her back to the crowd, andunched the bouquet high overhead.


    A spray of white roses soared in a graceful arc, every eye tracing its flight.


    There was a flurry of elbows andughter as the bridesmaids jostled for position.


    But-


    Smack!


    The bouquet arced past the eager crowd,nding squarely in thep of a guest at the head table.


    It wasn.


    The room fell silent for a beat, then burst into good-naturedughter and apuse.


    "Looks like Mr. Goodwin''s up next!" someone called out, teasing.


    Vanessa''s expression flickered with disappointment-she''d positioned herself closest to the bride, sure the bouquet would be hers.


    But she recovered quickly, her confidence returning. With a poised smile, she strode over ton, and, before the entire room, scooped the bouquet off the table, holding it high for all to see.


    A ripple of whispers swept through the crowd. Vanessa announced, "I got it!"


    The bride, seeing the bouquet inn''s hands, grinned knowingly. She lifted her ss and called out, "Looks like my bouquet''s found its way to the next happy couple. Congrattions! I hope we''re all celebrating your wedding soon."


    The room erupted inughter and apuse. It seemed the next big event would be the Goodwin & Co. CEO''s own nuptials.


    Around Vanessa, a chorus of congrattions rose up.


    Eleanor nced atn. He had his back to her, so she couldn''t see his


    expression, but somehow, she could picture the indulgent, affectionate look on his face.


    Xavier leaned in. "Want to slip out after the ceremony?" he asked softly.


    Eleanor shook her head. "Let''s stay for the dinner."


    Leaving now would be rude and honestly, watchingn and Vanessa parade


    around as a couple didn''t bother her anymore.


    "Alright," Xavier replied, smiling. He was happy to stay.


    Soon, the bride and groom made their rounds, toasting each table. The bridesmaids took their seats, Vanessa naturally settling in besiden, with Henry on her other side.


    Mr. Brown approached, his daughter and son-inw in tow, to offer a toast. Guests raised their sses in turn. When Mr. Brown reached Eleanor''s table, he introduced her warmly to his daughter. "Tessa, let me introduce you to Eleanor—a rising star in the research world. Get to know her."


    "Miss Sutton, a toast to you," Tessa said, lifting her ss.


    Eleanor smiled back. “Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness."


    Course aftervish course arrived at their table. Among the guests were several well-heeled women; one, after observing Eleanor and Xavier for a while, finally asked, "Are you two married?"


    Eleanor was caught off guard. Xavierughed and exined, "We''re just good friends."


    "Oh! You look so perfect together, I assumed you were a couple." The woman grinned at Xavier. “Well, good friends sometimes make the best partners. Don''t give up!"


    Xavier actually blushed, raising his ss to her. "Cheers to that."


    He kept his final thought to himself: If only her well wishes could help his dreamse true.