Chapter 10: A Disaster Beyond Raoul's Imagination – Part II

Raoul trembled as he waited for one o' clock. Why is it that when you're in a rush for the time that something big happens, time goes by slowly?

He and his brother, Count Philippe, were arguing. Christine could tell as she packed up her bag of most exquisite and most expensive dresses she owned. She noticed it was thirty minutes until one, and saw that the two brothers walked outside and took their positions at the alter. She scurried toward the door to place her bags there and told the nearest stranger to have a carriage outside at one o' clock. She did as she was told and told her driver to have it prepared immediately.

Christine could wait until the moment where she crushed Raoul's poor, weak little heart but Meg, on the other hand, was so excited to take her place. It was unbearable so she sat next to Christine, who was in the parlor.

"So what's your plan, Christine? Are you going to devastate poor Raoul or are you going to survive the abuse until he kills you?" Meg was on the edge of her seat as she had said this.

The two girls discussed the secret plot until the grandfather clock struck one and Mme. Giry told Meg and Christine it was the big moment. Meg was to go first, due to properness of weddings. She elegantly floated down the isle, somewhat giggling at the site of Raoul. How she wanted him for herself!

Then it was Christine's turn down the isle. Mme. Giry took the place of her father but she knew he was there. He was right beside her, holding her arm in the place that Mme. Giry was. She started to cry a little because 1) it was a joyful time and knew Raoul loved it and 2) She was soon going to devastate him and his whole family when she rejected him. She gave a slight smile his way and received a bigger one in return. This would be known as the day the bride ran away from the best life she could ever have.

As Mme. Giry took Christine's flowers, Raoul lifted her veil to uncover her face. He stared strait into her lost soul and caressed her cheek.

Everyone looked behind them as they heard the carriage approach in the front of the Changy mansion. With a disturbed look on her face, she quickly got everyone's attention to continue the ceremony.

She knew she had to break the news to Raoul before it was to late but when? She hurriedly thought of a good time, the vows. It seemed to be like by the time she returned to reality, it was that time.

Raoul gave her his ring and vows and he gave his own little vows he created before the ceremony. He promised her that she would always wear that ring and gave her a sly look. She glanced away and turned toward the audience. It was similar to the opera "Don Juan" except she was going to become a wife!

She turned to Raoul when the preacher said to give him his ring but instead she gave him a sad look.

"Raoul, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for dragging all of you here today. But I'm mainly sorry to my childhood sweetheart," she began to tear up as she slipped the ring off her finger but he pushed back toward her. He wiped a tear away from her eye as she did with his eye.

"Go. He is waiting for you. Take the rings as my wedding gift from me. He will need one so no one will take him from you," he said this as he voice gave way toward the end.

"Thank you," she whispered to him. She kissed him on the cheek and ran toward the house. She grabbed her bag up, placed both wedding rings on her finger and left to the Opera Populaire.

Still at the alter, Raoul stood there. He was so relieved that his runaway bride would be happy now. Although he was crying, the tears were not those of sadness. The Count ran toward his little brother and dragged him inside, attempting to make him happy. He knew this would not work but it was the least he could do.

"Philippe, you know I loved her. I let her go because of true love ran out of me. I had hurt her and I didn't want her to become even more saddened. I just want you to take everyone out of here and let me be," and having that out of him, he ran to Christine's bedroom. There was a note there. He read it aloud:

"Dearest Viscount,

Thank you letting me go. You have freed my soul and my life will be the best it could possibly be! I am on my way to the Opera house (or what remains) to meet up with my real love. I'm sorry I have broken your heart but you have broken mine in so many ways you will never discover. Once again, Erik and I thank you for your kindness. You will always have a place in my heart just for you, and you alone. I love you in a way that is beyond description.

Love,

Your dearest Christine"

Raoul trembled at the sound of the letter. He did the right thing. He found something else in the envelope. It was her first engagement ring he had given her. It was the one with the individuality of a flower. It had a bluish stone in the center and ten-surrounding pink tinted stones. How did she retreat it? Oh yeah, she had seen him on many occasions without his permission and she must have known that she was going to leave him. He lay in her bed looking at the note and just sitting in his solitude on behalf of he had lost the one he would love.