Chapter 41 – The Choice She Could No Longer Avoid

They left.

Yuji didn’t look back again.

Rin followed close behind him, shielding Mai from the stares, from the noise, from the weight of what had just happened. The corridor that had been filled with whispers slowly emptied, but the silence left behind was louder than anything before.

Aiko stood there for several seconds after they disappeared.

Her knees finally gave in.

She turned and walked back toward the bridal room, each step heavy, mechanical, like she was moving underwater. The mirrors reflected a bride who looked perfect on the outside and completely broken within.

She locked the door behind her.

And then she slid down against it, clutching her dress, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.

“I lost them,” she whispered to the empty room.

“I lost them both.”

Outside, the wedding preparations continued. Music tuned. Guests laughed. A future she never wanted waited patiently.

The accident happened quietly.

Too quietly.

Mai had been walking beside Yuji in the parking area when it happened. One moment she was talking about ice cream. The next, a sharp sound, a scream, and her small body fell hard onto the ground.

“Mai!”

Yuji dropped to his knees instantly, panic tearing through him as he lifted her.

She wasn’t crying.

That terrified him more than anything.

Rin screamed for help, hands shaking as she called an ambulance. Blood trickled from Mai’s forehead. Her eyes fluttered weakly.

“Papa…” she murmured.

“I’m here,” Yuji said desperately, holding her close. “I’m right here.”

By the time the ambulance arrived, Yuji’s hands were soaked with blood he couldn’t feel.

Midori arrived at the hospital shortly after.

She had heard everything.

She didn’t ask questions. She didn’t scold. The moment she saw Mai being rushed inside, pale and unconscious, something inside her broke.

“That’s…” her voice cracked, “…that’s my granddaughter.”

Yuji looked at her, stunned.

But there was no time.

Mai was taken in. Doors closed.

Yuji stood frozen, breathing hard, the world spinning.

Midori placed a hand on his shoulder.

“She needs her mother,” Midori said quietly. “And Aiko needs the truth.”

Back at the wedding hall, Hiroshi Hoshizora stood beside Aiko, his hand firm on her arm.

“Enough,” he said coldly. “This embarrassment ends now. Fix your face. You’re getting married.”

Aiko stared ahead, empty-eyed.

“I can’t,” she whispered.

“You will,” Hiroshi snapped. “This family survives because we do not hesitate.”

The doors to the hall opened.

Midori walked in.

Her steps were calm, but her eyes were blazing.

“Hiroshi,” she said clearly. “Stop.”

All heads turned.

“This wedding will not continue,” Midori said.

Hiroshi’s face darkened. “You’ve lost your mind.”

Midori ignored him and looked straight at Aiko.

“Mai is in the hospital,” she said gently.

Aiko’s head snapped up.

“…What?”

“She was in an accident,” Midori continued. “Yuji is there. She’s unconscious.”

The world tilted.

Aiko clutched the edge of a chair to stay standing. “No… no, you’re lying…”

Midori shook her head. “If you want to prove everyone wrong,” she said, voice trembling but firm, “go to the hospital now.”

She stepped closer.

“If you run away again,” Midori said softly, “you will never find happiness. Not with him. Not with anyone.”

Hiroshi exploded. “Enough! You will not manipulate her with lies!”

Midori turned slowly.

And slapped him.

The sound echoed through the hall.

Gasps erupted.

Hiroshi stared at her in disbelief.

“That child nearly died,” Midori said, tears streaming down her face now. “And you’re still worried about status?”

She turned back to Aiko.

“This is the last time I will say this,” Midori whispered. “Choose with your heart. Or live with regret forever.”

For the first time in her life, Aiko didn’t look at her father.

She didn’t bow.

She didn’t ask permission.

She lifted her dress, ran.

Rin was already outside.

“Aiko!” Rin shouted.

“Hospital,” Aiko said, breathless. “Please.”

Rin nodded and slammed the car door shut.

As the car sped away, the wedding hall disappeared behind them.

For the first time, Aiko wasn’t running from consequences.

She was running toward the truth.

Toward her daughter.

Toward the life she had once abandoned… and now desperately wanted to fight for.