Chapter 6
His mother was somewhat taken aback. “Warren, even if you wanted to
onate to charity, we could have just donated money. Why have you donated all your clothes? What will you wear in this cold weather?”
Warren turned to Shailey and let out a light chuckle. “Didn’t you say you’d compensate me on Jacob’s behalf? These clothes are old, and I no longer want them. I’ll buy new ones with the money. That will work, won’t it?”
Shailey studied him for a good moment before nodding. “Fine. How much would you like? I’ll transfer it to you now.”
Warren stretched out a finger.
“1,000 dollars?” asked Shailey, unfazed. Sure.”
“No.”
“One million?”
Jacob flew into a panic. “It’s just a few pieces of clothing! How could they possibly be worth one million dollars?”
Warren scoffed, shooting him an icy glare. Then, he turned back to Shailey and said, “One dollar.”
All these clothes had been gifts from Shailey.
Now that he was leaving, he didn’t want to bring anything associated with her not those clothes and certainly not her money.
After all, as she had said herself, he was but an outsider.
With one dollar, payment in full, 20–odd years of memories, settled in one transaction.
Shailey grew slightly impatient. “Warren Gardner, what exactly do you want?”
“Are you paying or not? Send the money now, else just forget it.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Shailey transferred him the one dollar.
“Now that I’ve fulfilled my promise, this matter is settled. Consider it my compensation on Jacob’s behalf. Don’t hold this over him anymore.”
Looking at the extra dollar in his bank balance, Warren pulled a faint smile. “Don’t worry. I
won’t–not in this lifetime.”
“And one more thing–our wedding. You are going to be the photographer. This is Jacob’s. wish, and you have to honor it.”
Warren gave it soine thought. His flight was scheduled for the evening–their wedding night.
Hence, he ultimately agreed. “Sure.”
In the days leading up to the wedding, Warren barely returned home.
He traveled to the countryside to take a new set of bird photographs, which he then sent to
David.
David was thrilled to see them. Almost Instantly, he video–called him. “Warren, your composition and colors have improved so much! Several magazine companies here are fighting to feature your work already. When you arrive, let’s meet with them and pick the best one!”
Encouraged by the praise, Warren had the widest grin on his face. “Thank you, Mr. Keaton. I’ll leave it to you.”
“By the way, did you talk to your sister–in–law? Did she agree to your Euriva plans?”
Warren chuckled. “She’s probably eager for me to leave as soon as possible.”
“That’s good. You won’t worry too much in the future, then. It’s a surprise, really. I genuinely thought convincing her would be a hassle…”
Warren asked David for his address so he could ship his equipment over ahead of time.
David would safe–keep them for him before he arrived, and he would then collect them from his home after touchdown.
On Shailey and Jacob’s wedding day, Warren borrowed a camera from the wedding company
Jacob was visibly delighted to have his wish come true. He was unable to hide his smug satisfaction at all, especially as Warren captured their moments. He acted like a triumphant
victor.
Even when Shailey was busy mingling with guests, Jacob insisted on pulling her away to pose for photos with him.
Seeing this, their mother tried to intervene. “Jacob, Warren has taken plenty of pictures. Let
him rest for a bit.‘
But he only dismissed her concern. “Warren’s so talented–how could this little bit of work tire him out? Right, Warren?”
Displeased, she retorted, “I’ll ask the wedding photographers to take over. Warren needs to
rest,”
“But the wedding photographers aren’t even half as skilled as him! Today is the most important day of my life with Shay. He must help us document our happiest moments together. It needs to be perfect.”
Warren said nothing. After taking the final shot, he handed the camera back to an employee at the wedding company and walked away.
His mother caught up with him. “Warren, where are you going?”
He smiled a gentle smile. “Mom, now that Shalley has Jacob watching after her, please take care of yourself too.”
“Silly boy. Shay may be married, but Lstill have you. Isn’t that so?”
Warren’s smile deepened. He held her hand lovingly and said, “Of course, Mom. I’ll always be
your son.”
She sighed wistfully. “Warren, there… was a time when I truly believed Shailey would end up with you. That she would officially become part of our family. But then, out of nowhere, she…”
“Let’s not talk about that anymore, Mom.”
“Alright, alright. I won’t mention it again.”
Later, his phone rang. It was David.
“Warren, are you at the airport? When are you landing? I’ll come pick you up with the missus.”
“I’m just about to head over.
“Great. See you in eight hours.”
“See you then.”
After hanging up, he checked the time. It was about time to leave.
He hailed a cab and headed straight to the airport without returning to the Gardner residence.
As he queued for boarding, his phone buzzed with another message from Jacob.
“Thank you for personally photographing Shay and me today. We love the pictures. From now on, I’m your big brother.”
Another one followed immediately after. “Lil bro, here’s to us getting along well in the future.
A victory sign emoji sat at the end of the message.
Warren let out a snicker and took a screenshot.
This time, he sent it directly to Shailey with the caption, “Sister–in–law, congratulations on your wedding. Goodbye forever.”
After that, he blocked both Shailey and Jacob.
From that moment on, they were erased from his life.
As he boarded the plane, the flight attendant greeted him with a warm smile. “Sir, have a safe and pleasant journey.
He politely returned the smile. “Thank you. I am already enjoying the journey.”
Then, without a backward glance, he stepped onto the plane.
