Chapter 11%
The days after that surprising encounter were a blur. I still couldn’t digest how Samuel could suddenly appear in front of me, bringing a smile and pleasantries as if we were just old acquaintances meeting again. But what was even more confusing was… Leon.}
He was suddenly more attentive. Coming to the shop more often. Talking to me, helping with the flowers, and occasionally bringing lunch. It was all too sweet. Too… strange.
Until finally, my birthday arrived.”
I’m not planning a party. I just wanted to spend it quietly, like the previous years. But that afternoon, Leon arrived with a cake and a small blue box. His face was serious, but gentle.
We sat in the garden behind the shop–my favorite place. Dusk fell slowly, and the wind blew softly as she opened the box.
Ring.
I stared at him, incredulous. “Leon… what is this?“}
She took a breath. “Agnes, I know you’ve been hurt. I know your past hasn’t been easy. But I’m not here to judge you. I want to build a future with you.”
I choked up. “Are you serious?”
She nodded. “More than anything else in my life.”
My heart was in turmoil. I wasn’t ready. But there was something in Leon’s gaze that… made me want to believe. I didn’t answer right away. But that night, I sat alone in my room, looked at the ring and cried for a long time. Because for the first time… I wanted to believe that I deserved to be happy.”
And finally, a few days later, I accepted his proposal.}
~ SAMUEL’S POV
I thought I would feel satisfied when I saw him down the aisle, smiling while holding that man’s hand–Leon. But strangely, there was anger boiling quietly in my chest. She was actually getting married. Really standing there… as if everything that had ever happened was just dust of the past.
“Look at him,” Livia whispered next to me. Her smile was thin, her eyes looking straight at the small stage. “You did it.”
I nodded slowly, but my eyes did not leave Agnes‘ face.”
She looks happy. Too happy.”
And that innocent man Leon really convinced her that this was love. Even though he was just a pawn. Just a small part of the big game I set up from the start.”
I looked at the two of them from behind the crowd. When my name was called as a guest, I stepped closer. I had a friendly smile ready, full of pretense.
“Congratulations,” I said, looking deeply into Agnes‘ eyes. “Leon, you’re very lucky.”
Agnes nodded awkwardly, her voice low. “Thank you, Samuel… You came, I didn’t expect it.“}
“I’m not coming anyway,” Livia said quickly as she took my arm. “We’re Leon’s best friends too, right?“}
I could see the confusion in Agnes‘ eyes. But she said nothing. Didn’t expect it. Didn’t realize.
Let her drown in false happiness first. Let her feel safe, loved, and… unsuspecting.
Then later, when things get too high, I’ll pull it all down. Destroy it from within. Let her fall hard.}
And when she looks at me from the ruins of her life, asking “Why?“, I will smile and say:”
“Because you think you can escape the sins of the past.“}
But not yet. Not yet. Today, let him celebrate first.
Today I’m celebrating the beginning of its demise.}
– AGNES POV
2
Weddings are supposed to be the happiest days of life. But for some reason, I feel… strange. Ever since Samuel arrived–with Livia by his side the air in this room has changed. Claustrophobic. Uncomfortable.”
I tried to smile, tried to laugh, tried to welcome the guests, but the look in Samuel’s eyes kept coming back. Too intense. Too… secretive.§
I briefly ducked into the restroom. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I took a deep breath. “Calm down, Agnes. It’s just a suggestion. He’s a guest. Just a guest.”
But the uneasiness didn’t go away. As I exited the restroom, I stopped in the small hallway leading to the main hall. My steps froze.! Leon. My husband. Talking to Samuel.
The two stood quite close. Samuel said quietly with a faint smile. Leon looked nervous, nodding slightly, as if listening to something important. Too familiar. Too… wrong.
My heart skipped a beat.”
What is this?%
How did they get that close?!
I stepped forward unconsciously, until the heels of my shoes made a small sound on the marble floor. Leon suddenly turned his head.
Winnie daad whan ha auma
His eyes widened when he saw me.
Then in a split second her face changed. A smile appeared, calm, sweet, as if nothing had happened.” “Oh, dear,” she said quickly as she walked over to me. “It’s been a while inside, I was looking for you.” My eyes shifted to Samuel, who was just standing in place. His eyes stared at me without blinking. Cold.
I asked, “Are you guys talking?“%
Leon chuckled. “Chatting? No, I was just… uh… going to get a drink. Then, there happened to be a guest passing by. I don’t know the either.”
I turned to Samuel, who was now smiling too.
“Congratulations once again, Agnes,” he said softly, before turning around and walking away.
Don’t know??
I’m not a fool. And they think I can’t see what’s being hidden?}
My mind couldn’t escape their closeness earlier.2
And tonight… the happiness that had been filling my chest began to crumble little by little. But I tried to push it all away. And trust my husband, Leon.
