Cora’s son was, in the end, taken abroad by the Lockwood family. They gave her a substantial sum of money, but not the family name.
A few months later, a shocking announcement made the rounds: Cora and Gabriel were engaged.
I had no intention of going, but Cora insisted, calling me multiple times.
The engagement party was filled with the same relatives from that disastrous Christmas dinner. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tensi- on. Everyone offered hollow, polite compliments to Gabriel. My Aunt Carol clung to his arm, gushing, “You’re such good boy, Gabriel. You’ve alw- ays taken such good care of our Cora.”
a
Cora looked bloated and pale, the stress having clearly taken its toll. But she leaned against Gabriel’s side, a look of placid security in her eyes.
My mom, worried about me, gave me a look that said I could leave whenever I wanted. I just found a quiet corner and started texting Leo.
[Selfie.jpg]
[Babe, look at me. Am I handsome?]
[Babe, talk to me. Tell me I’m the man you love most in this world.]
I couldn’t help but smile. He was a cool, collected CEO in public, but in private, he was a clingy puppy.
[Yes, yes, you are.]
[Selfie.jpg]
[Babe, look at me. Am I handsome?]
【Babe, talk to me. Tell me I’m the man you love most in this world.]
I couldn’t help but smile. He was a cool, collected CEO in public, but in private, he was a clingy puppy.
[Yes, yes, you are.】
Suddenly, Gabriel stood up and tapped his glass. The room fell silent.
“A few months ago,” he began, “I stood in this very room, ready to offer a toast to my elders.”
My head snapped up. Our eyes met across the room.
He continued, his gaze locked on mine. “That day, due to some… complications, I left in a hurry. I’ve spent every day since then wondering, if I hadn ‘t been so impulsive, if I hadn’t left like that, would I have lost the person I truly love?”
“What are you talking about?” Cora hissed, tugging at his sleeve.
Gabriel didn’t even look at her. His eyes were only for me.
“For months, I have been drowning in regret. Regret for not seeing what was in my own heart sooner. Regret for not protecting the one person I should have protected above all else.”
“So today, I stand here to ask one question. Vivi,” he said, his voice ringing with emotion, “I will make up for every wrong you’ve suffered. I will work to fulfill every dream you ever shared with me. Will you give me a chance to finish that toast we never got to make? Will you let me become your
family?”
The room exploded into chaos.
“Gabriel, are you insane?” Cora shrieked. “Did you throw this entire engagement party just to humiliate me in front of Vivi?”
Gabriel let out a cold laugh. “Cora, I treated you like you were the most important person in the world. You treated me like a backup plan, like a dog. You used my feelings to hurt the person I love most. This isn’t humiliation. This is what you deserve.”
P w w x
Aunt Carol lunged at me, her hands like claws, ready to tear at my hair. You bitch! It’s all your fault! You ruined everything for my Cora!”
But my mom stepped in front of me, shoving her back. “Open your damn eyes and
Ok! This is their drama. It has nothing to do with our Vivi.”
www.
Another aunt scurried over to Aunt Carol, whispering that the engagemently off and she wanted her gift money back. At that, Aunt Carol
collapsed onto the floor and began to wail. “Cora, you useless girl! How could I
Through the chaos, Gabriel made his way to my parents. He dropped to his knees
been cursed with a daughter like you! My life is ruined!”
front of
By father.
“Dad,” he choked out. “I’m so sorry. I was a fool, and I caused you so much pain. Yella nit me, do whatever you want, Just please, find it in
your heart to forgive me.”
My father looked at me, a silent question in his eyes. I gave him my answer. “If you don’t want to forgive him, Dad, then don’t.”
My father’s face hardened. “Don’t you dare call me Dad,” he said, his voice laced with contempt. “I’d be ashamed.”
I linked my left arm through my father’s and my right through my mother’s, and together, we walked out of the chaos.
My phone buzzed with a new message from Leo.
【Why such a short reply? Did the food arrive? Are you ignoring me?]
【When are you going to take me home to meet your parents?!)
I smiled as I typed my reply.
[We’ll see how you behave.]
The sounds of crying and shouting from the banquet hall faded behind us. That chapter of my life, a story of misplaced love, was finally closed.
Leaving the wrong person behind, I learned that I was worthy of lovethat waste.
My phone buzzed with a new message from Leo.
[Why such a short reply? Did the food arrive? Are you ignoring me?]
[When are
you going to take me home to meet your parents?!)
I smiled as I typed my reply.
[We’ll see how you behave.)
LU uyeiner, we walked out
of the
chaos.
***********
The sounds of crying and shouting from the banquet hall faded behind us. That chapter of my life, a story of misplaced love, was finally closed.
Leaving
the wrong person behind, I learned that I was worthy of a love
true.
