Chapter 6

Selene showed no care at all, her sharp nails catching on the lace, her rough movements even tearing off several small diamonds sewn to the cuff.

"What are you doing! Stop!"

My heart clenched instantly, fury rushing to my head. Without thinking, I stepped forward and shoved her away hard.

"This isn't something you can touch! My mother designed this! You're not worthy!"

Selene stumbled from my push, staggering back two steps, her eyes immediately reddening.

She sniffled, her voice trembling as she looked toward Ethan behind me.

"Ethan, I've just never seen such a beautiful wedding gown before. I couldn't help myself. Is Aria misunderstanding something?"

She turned her gaze timidly toward me, then quickly lowered it, as if terrified.

"Aria, did Ethan prepare this gown for you? Are you two getting married? If so, just tell me. I'll definitely prepare a wedding gift early and sincerely bless you both."

Ethan looked somewhat guilty, unusually speaking to her coldly.

"Aria is my future Luna. If I don't marry her, who would I marry?"

Selene choked, jealous hatred flashing in her eyes.

She bit her lip, her voice low.

"But having the wedding gown delivered to the pack office like this seems a bit inappropriate, doesn't it? It looks like she's forcing you to marry her."

A look of "I knew it" flashed across Ethan's face as he looked at me knowingly.

"Aria, I know you love me, but this week really won't work. How about this—I promise you, we'll do the marking ceremony on Monday. Okay?"

Selene leaned against Ethan's side. When she heard "marking ceremony," jealous hatred flashed through her eyes.

I watched the two of them in their seamless performance.

My heart felt like it was being repeatedly torn, aching unbearably. But at the same time, an extremely absurd sense of ridiculousness welled up.

I couldn't be bothered to argue with them anymore. I just silently bent down, wanting to carefully pack up the wedding gown and leave this nauseating place.

Just as I lowered my head to arrange the skirt, Selene suddenly leaned close to me, speaking in a voice only we could hear, smiling triumphantly.

"You think these pathetic relics from your dead mother are enough to compete with me for Ethan? Your mother couldn't keep a man back then, and the daughter she gave birth to is just as useless and worthless! She deserved to die early—"

"SMACK—!"

I used every ounce of strength in my body.

Selene screamed, her head snapping to the side from the slap. But her hands violently shoved me back!

Caught off guard, I stumbled backward hard, my lower back crashing brutally into the cold edge of a desk. Sharp pain shot through me instantly, making my vision go black.

And Ethan didn't even glance at me.

"Selene!"

Ethan gasped, immediately pulling her into his arms.

Seeing the red mark on her cheek, he was both shocked and angry, looking at me with complete disappointment.

"She's your sister. How could you hit her?"

Selene sobbed pitifully, looking utterly wronged.

"I was just trying to help Aria arrange the wedding gown. If she didn't want me to touch it, she could have just said so. Why treat me like this?"

"You're being completely unreasonable."

Ethan gave me one cold look.

He lowered his head and patiently comforted Selene.

"Selene, don't be scared. I'll take you to the healer."

His voice carried unprecedented nervousness and tenderness, completely different from the cold harshness when he'd just reprimanded me.

He held her, turned, and left without looking back.

Leaving only me, clutching my agonizing waist, standing there alone.

Looking at the wedding gown that had been pulled into disarray, and the empty doorway.

I laughed soundlessly, though tears rolled down from the corners of my eyes.