Chapter 4

Mom jumped up instantly. "You've learned to talk back now? As if you are so well-liked.

"You have the exact same disposition as your useless father! You'll never measure up to Freya."

I closed the door while she continued to rant into the night.

So I put on headphones and began packing my luggage.

Early the next morning, I went out to buy the things needed for the mountains.

Snake repellent, mosquito repellent, a first aid kit...

When I returned, the house door was slightly ajar.

I could hear talking and laughing in the living room.

First was Freya's voice.

"At the engagement party, when Cleo goes up on stage, how about we suddenly release something to build her courage?

"Release a fake snake or a dead rat?"

Tyler remained silent for so long that Freya became annoyed.

"Why do you have that expression on your face? If you don't agree, then just ignore me!"

In the end, he let out a sigh.

"Fine... but this is really the final time. I don't want Cleo to be frightened again."

He claimed he couldn't bear to do it, yet he still agreed.

Mom also followed with a laugh. "It's good to frighten her a bit. She's been talking a whole bunch of nonsense lately. Let Cleo learn her lesson."

The afternoon sun was blazing, yet I felt cold.

My engagement party had become a prank convention.

It didn't matter, though.

It grew quiet inside, and I pushed the door to walk in.

Tyler stood up and nervously wrapped his arms around me.

"We were just discussing how to throw you the best engagement party."

I gave a "Hmm."

Freya leaned over. "Cleo, I'm throwing a bachelor party for Tyler tonight. Do you mind?"

"Not at all."

But at 2 a.m., I received a drunk phone call to pick them up.

Freya cried until her makeup was entirely ruined, tugging at Tyler's sleeve.

"Back then, if you hadn't wished to go to a different school and confessed your feelings… I wouldn't have said I didn't like you out of spite."

Tyler covered his eyes with one hand, his voice hoarse.

"I regret it too... I shouldn't have kissed Cleo out of spite after drinking and ended up with her.

"But she smiled so pitifully..."

I leaned against the doorframe, my feet feeling wobbly.

On the day of high school graduation, everyone drank for the first time.

Tyler drank too much. Holding me by the roadside, he kissed me while saying, "I like you so much."

That was the first time someone had told me they liked me.

I felt as if struck by a pleasant surprise, my mind reeling with happiness.

He fell asleep leaning on my shoulder after that. I dared not move even a single fraction, my heart pounding the entire night.

It turned out I had been wrong for ten years.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

I knew it. After all, what was there to like about me?

I helped the two of them home.

Early the next morning, Tyler and Freya came to pick up Mom, saying they were going to the hotel first to set things up.

I knew they were going to prepare the "surprise" for me.

Tyler stood at the doorway and smiled.

"Cleo, take your time dressing up before you come. There's no rush."

I nodded, watching them get into the car.

My friends were waiting for me at the station.

When I arrived at the station, Tyler sent a voice message, "Come a bit later. We're not ready yet."

I accidentally overheard Freya's shriek on the other end of the phone line.

"No, this dead rat isn't realistic enough! Look for another one again!"

So that was how it was.

I didn't reply.

Mom also sent a voice message in the family group chat.

"My Cleo has always been shy and unable to present herself since childhood. The engagement party will start a bit later, so she has more time to get ready."

I let out a smile, turning over my phone.

Then I boarded the bus with Elsie.

Before losing signal, I received the final voice message.

"Where are you? You can come now. We are ready."

In the background audio, Freya was laughing. "Hurry, hurry! The surprise is all ready!"

I turned over my phone, never looking at it again.

Meanwhile, in the hotel ballroom.

Tyler and the others had been waiting for a while.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open.

Freya let out a loud shriek and threw the object out. However, standing at the door was the hotel manager.

"Miss Wright asked me to pass on a message. She can't make it and wishes everyone a fun time playing."

Tyler's smile froze on his face while Mom stood there in disbelief.