Chapter 2
*
But a few days after Franklin’s confession, our relationship became known to the class teacher.”
In order to preserve the Morris Family’s reputation, the school humiliated me, accusing me of having poor character in front of all the teachers and students. They then forced me to transfer from the city’s prestigious high school to the worst one in the area.Z
On the day of my transfer, Franklin swore he’d wait for me, promising we’d be together after graduation.
Determined to make myself worthy of him, I worked even harder at the new school, aiming to get into the best university. I hoped to prove that my worth wasn’t tied to circumstances beyond my control.
But after graduation, he shattered my dreams. He appeared before me, holding Harriet’s hand, his face radiant with happiness.”
“You liar!” he sneered. “How dare you say you got into Edinburgh or Manchester University? You can’t even get into an ordinary school and you still want to be with me? Shameless!“%
His voice grew colder, cutting deeper with every word.%
“Besides, with your family, how could you be worthy of me? If I marry you, where will the Morris Family’s face be?“}
I cried, trying to explain. I told him the truth–that I had indeed been admitted but my admission letters were destroyed. But Franklin didn’t believe me. His eyes were filled with nothing but disgust.
That day, he walked away with Harriet, leaving me broken.
For four years, I didn’t see either of them.
I left for England under the guise of finding work. Secretly, I enrolled in university, financing my education through part–time jobs. I didn’t tell Hannah, knowing she’d never approve. By the time I graduated, I had built a new life for myself, landing a good job in finance.
One evening, I returned home to visit my biological parents. Harriet’s parents–my real parents–were surprised to see me.”
“Kelly is back. We haven’t seen you for years,” they said, warmth in their voices.
Looking at them, I felt a rush of conflicting emotions. These were my real parents, yet they had been kept in the dark for so long, never knowing the truth about their daughters. I managed a bitter smile, unsure how to reconcile my feelings.”
But Harriet, as usual, came over, wearing her smug expression.
“Kelly,” she said sweetly, though her tone dripped with condescension. “You must’ve worked so hard these past years.“} Then, with an almost gleeful air, she added, “To be honest, when I marry Franklin, the thing I want most is your blessing. How about you be my bridesmaid this time?“%
Harriet knew better than anyone how deeply I had loved Franklin. Her request was a deliberate attempt to reopen old wounds -wounds that time had only just begun to heal.
“Oh, Harriet, don’t joke about such things!” Hannah interrupted sharply. “This damn girl isn’t worthy of being your bridesmaid. It’d be an embarrassment to you! On your wedding day, she can do the dirty work–that’s all she’s good for!“}
Hannah’s words cut through the air like knives.
Harriet, however, only smiled and shook her head.”
“Godmother, you don’t understand. Kelly and I were Franklin’s childhood sweethearts. We always said that whoever married him, the other would be her bridesmaid. Isn’t that right, Kelly?“”
She turned to me, her eyes gleaming with barely concealed malice. It was clear what she wanted–to remind everyone, especially our high school classmates, that she had won the race to marry into wealth.
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Franklin entered, holding an elaborate cake.
His cheerful expression darkened the moment he saw me.
- 1.
He immediately walked over to Harriet, wrapping an arm around her protectively. “Harriet, she didn’t bully you, did she?” he asked, his voice dripping with concern.”
Then, he turned to me, his gaze icy. His tone was sharp, laced with warning.
“Why did you come back at this time? Don’t tell me you still can’t let me go.“}
He didn’t stop there.
“Next week is my wedding with Harriet. If you dare to cause trouble, I won’t forgive you!“}
His words echoed, the final blow to a wound that would never truly heal.”
