Chapter 20
There was the hand–sculpted clay figure–crafted by Gerry himself at a luxury clay studio he’d taken me to for my birthday. It had been his surprise gift to me that year.
There was the silver–threaded, butterfly–tailed wedding gown–a showpiece from an elite overseas auction. Gerry had paid an exorbitant price for it. When it was airlifted home, I had never seen him smile so genuinely.
“You’ll look stunning in this dress at our wedding,” he’d said.}
There were also the bright red double happiness characters we had cut out together… the balloons we tied with laughter… the matching bedding dolls we picked out with such care.}
Once, these items had been precious memories. Now, they were tossed aside like garbage.}
My heart sank–slowly, steadily–until it felt like it had hit rock bottom.
Before I could say a word, Niana appeared on the screen. She leaned playfully against Gerry, her voice light and teasing.}
“So Gerry wasn’t lying. Sister Luna’s taste really is… unique. Who still uses these bright red decorations at weddings these days? They’re so outdated. The only thing remotely salvageable is that dress, but even that butterfly tail ruins it.”
Gerry chuckled and gently pinched her cheek, his eyes full of warmth.
“I’ll take you to the next auction. Whatever you like, just bid on it.”}
“Yay! Gerry is the best!“}
Ibit down the rising ache in my chest and took a steadying breath. I couldn’t bear to watch them flirt a second longer.}
“I don’t want any of those things,” I said flatly. “Do whatever you want with them.“}
Then I added, my voice sharper than I’d ever used with him before.}
“Also, Gerry, she’s two years older than me–same age as you. And she calls me ‘sister.‘ Don’t you think that’s a little off?“}
It was the first time I’d ever confronted him so directly. For a moment, he looked completely stunned.
But Niana reacted first, bursting into tears.
“I–I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m sorry… Sister Luna, I just wanted to get closer to you…”
I cut her off coldly.
“There’s no need for that. Now or in the future, there will never be any relationship between us.“}
Her sobs grew louder, her delicate shoulders trembling.
Gerry pulled her into his arms, soothing her with soft pats on the back and gently wiping her tears away.
Then he turned back to the screen and glared at me.
“Niana did nothing wrong. You’re the one out of line, Luna. What’s gotten into you today? You’ve never been this difficult before.” He narrowed his eyes.
“What do you mean you don’t want to be close to her? Niana’s child is supposed to recognize you as their godmother. She’s trying to be kind and you’re mocking her? That’s just arrogant.“}
I gave a bitter smile.
He only ever saw me as someone who never made things difficult for others. He never once considered how many times others had made things difficult for me.
“Gerry, her child doesn’t need me as a godmother and she doesn’t need to be close to me. As for our wedding–there’s no need to reschedule it.“%
The room fell deathly silent. On the other end, the comforting murmurs stopped abruptly.
Gerry’s face darkened. He stared at the screen and said one word–three times, each colder than the last.
“Good. Good. Good.”
Then the call cut off.
Moments later, a video notification popped up on my phone.
Hands trembling, I opened it.”
My wedding dress–the once pure white, intricately embroidered gown–was engulfed in flames.
Gerry’s voice followed, his tone frigid.
“You really thought you were going to be Mrs. Stall, didn’t you? You forgot your place.“}
“Luna, you’re just an orphan the Stall Family took in out of charity. What right do you have to speak to me like that?”
“If my mother and the other elders hadn’t schemed to drive Niana away, do you think you would’ve ever climbed your way up to become the future Mrs. Stall?”
“You only had to wait another ten months. Ten months and the title would’ve been yours. But you just had to ruin it all.”
