A Wedding Gift for You

Anne came to live with me two months ago. After high school, we'd grown apart. I only knew she'd gone to college in the north and, near graduation, started dating someone and chose to stay there with him.Then, two months ago, she called me crying, saying she'd broken up and needed to come home to recover. With her parents divorced and no other family here, I happily offered her a place to stay.Anne moved into our new home as Bernard and I were deep in wedding preparations. Despite the years we'd spent apart, she still had a way of clinging to me.Whenever Bernard tried to steal a moment of closeness, she'd playfully scowl, push him away, and hug me tightly, complaining, "Hannah, look at him! He's had you all to himself for years. Can't he spare you for a little while?"Seeing Bernard's resigned expression, I could only pat his hand reassuringly.Anne had been taking up most of my time recently, and Bernard's patience with her had worn thin. He could only hold me when she wasn't

At that moment, Bernard came back with the bowls of soup. He never forgot my favorite—chicken noodle soup, always without parsley.Beside us, Anne took a sip of her soup and frowned. "This is too salty. Did they use too much salt?"Then, she picked up her bowl and, without a second thought, offered a spoonful to Bernard, who instinctively bent forward. They were so close that he nearly touched the spoon before stopping himself.It must have dawned on him then—he had a fiancée, who was sitting right there on the hospital bed."Hannah, is the soup okay? Do you still feel dizzy?" Bernard asked.Flustered, he moved closer, reaching to touch my forehead, but I pulled away.I looked at his hand, suspended in the air, and answered coldly, "I'm fine. I can feed myself."At my words, Anne's eyes widened in sudden understanding. "Oh, Hannah, I'm sorry. You know how I am—I don't hold back with anyone. I forgot he's your boyfriend. You're not mad, are you?"She pouted, her naturally youthf

The day before our wedding, I pulled the blankets around me and clicked on the dashcam footage. There was Bernard—my soon-to-be husband—shirtless, tangled up with Anne.I smiled. One final move, and I'd destroy them both.At that moment, I texted Bernard, "I don't feel well. I think I might have a fever."Immediately, the man in the video stopped moving. He pushed himself up, hurriedly pulling on his shirt and pants.Anne clung to his sleeve, her face the picture of feigned helplessness. "What are you doing? You're leaving me here just because Hannah texted you? Bernard! What am I to you?"But Bernard's profile was cold and unyielding. He firmly peeled Anne's fingers away, one by one."She will be my wife. And you? Remember your place. You're the one who seduced me."Without another word, he gestured for Anne to leave, missing the hatred in her eyes.Within half an hour, Bernard was home. He carried a bag of medicine, his face lined with concern. Moments ago, he had been with A

The wedding was canceled. Suddenly, Bernard became the biggest joke among his friends and family. At the same time, I sent the same video to Anne's new workplace. She hadn't worked there long. I heard she was fired right away.I knew she and Bernard would come back to me eventually, but I didn't expect him to come so soon. He waited for me outside my office building, looking haggard, with dark circles under his eyes and messy hair.He stopped me, his expression full of hope. "Hannah, please give me another chance. Believe me—I'll make sure Anne is out of our lives for good. Can we go back to how things were before?"I interrupted him, "Then, will you transfer those two properties to me?"He paused for a moment, then quickly answered, "Yes, I'll sign the papers immediately. You can have both houses. Consider it… repayment for what I did.""Good. Remember your words. I'll send you the agreement tonight."I was about to leave, but Bernard grabbed my wrist. "Don't go. Please, just