Chapter 3

Back in my room, I swallowed a pill to steady the storm in my chest, letting the chaos of my emotions slowly ebb.

Just then, Matt called.

I pressed the answer button, and his voice, warm and gentle, flowed through the line.

"Audrey, did you see the wedding gowns I sent? Which one do you like?"

"I did," I replied obediently. "They're all beautiful. My favorite is the deep-blue one—the one embroidered with moons and stars along the hem. But… isn't dark blue a little unlucky?"

Matt chuckled lightly. "What's this? You're so young, yet already superstitious? As long as you love it, you can wear any color you want. This is our wedding. You're the absolute center of it."

I froze for a moment.

The center…? Could someone like me, branded a sinner, really stand at the center of anything?

To be honest, it had been so long since anyone had spoken to me this kindly.

Ever since I'd "fallen out" with John, all those who once flattered me had turned their blades of malice against me. Their words were knives, stripping away pieces of flesh.

I had believed this world would never again offer me kindness. But at least, there was still someone willing to speak to me like this.

My chest felt lighter. A smile crept into my voice. "Then I'll choose that one. Thank you. I really do love the gown."

At that moment, the door behind me swung open.

I turned my head just as John strode in, urgency in his eyes.

"Wedding gown? What wedding gown?"

I hung up immediately.

I didn't want him to know who I was marrying just yet, though I had no intention of hiding the fact.

Calmly, I said, "It's my gown. I'm getting married."

Shock rippled through his gaze. "Nonsense. How could you possibly be getting married?"

Samantha walked in just then. At my words, she laughed softly.

"Audrey, stop joking. You must mean Diana's gown, right?"

Diana Archer—once the closest friend I had in her circle. She was getting married next month.

But after I "lost favor," she distanced herself, never even inviting me to her engagement banquet.

The tension in John's face vanished at once, replaced by open ridicule.

"I knew it. How could you possibly get married? Without me, no one in this circle would even look at you. Who would you marry?"

His words caught in my throat like shards of glass.

So he knew. He had always known their affection for me was fake. And still, he never once defended me.

Perhaps because, in his eyes, this was exactly what I deserved.

For the first time, John truly disgusted me.

I ignored him and began packing my things.

He frowned. "What are you doing? Planning to run away again? Seems I was too lenient last time, locking you in your room. Clearly, you haven't learned your lesson."

Tightening my grip on the folded clothes, I kept my head down. "It's a change of season. I'm just organizing."

A flicker of embarrassment crossed his face, but pride held his tongue sharp.

"If you weren't always scheming, I wouldn't misunderstand you so easily."

I stayed silent.

He was about to continue when Samantha suddenly clutched her stomach. "Johnny, my stomach hurts…"

At once, he abandoned me and scooped her into his arms, rushing her out.

Watching their retreating backs, I exhaled in relief.

At some point, even sharing the same air as John had become suffocating.

Three days passed in a blur.

Luckily, John seemed busy and never came home.

I took the chance to sort everything—some things I threw away, others I donated.

As for the things he had given me, I packed them into a single box and left it in the most conspicuous place in my room.

That way, after I was gone, the first thing he'd see would be the remnants of our past.

On the final morning, I came downstairs to find John having breakfast with Samantha.

She glanced at me, then turned to him with a bright smile. "Uncle Matt is getting married. Johnny, will you take me to the wedding?"

John's eyes softened at once. "Of course I will. You're my fiancée."

Her cheeks flushed pink as she laughed, then she looked at me. "Audrey, you should come too."

Before I could answer, John cut in coldly, "She can't. What if she causes trouble again? I won't risk that embarrassment."

Samantha sighed as if helpless. "All right…"

I remained expressionless, as though their words had nothing to do with me.

John frowned, displeased. His voice dropped, heavy with command.

"We're flying to Austrane today. The wedding's tomorrow, and we'll spend today preparing the gift. Uncle has always treated you well. I'll choose a gift for him on your behalf. While we're gone, stay put. Don't even think about leaving. Understand?"

I nearly laughed aloud. If I didn't leave, who would wear the bridal gown?

But I had no intention of provoking John now. Better to keep him complacent and avoid extra eyes on me.

So I answered sweetly, "Don't worry. I'll be right here waiting for you."

Samantha's smile faltered. She had been hoping I would "run off" and disgrace myself, so my composure only deepened her resentment.

John, meanwhile, studied me with narrowed eyes. Something about me felt different—obedient to the point of unease.

At length, he decided I had finally learned my place. Satisfied, he said, "Good. I'll bring you something when I'm back."

The tone of benevolence, like tossing scraps to the undeserving, made me nauseous.

Still, I smiled faintly. "One gift will be enough."

I only wanted the one gift that mattered—the gift meant for the bride. Nothing more, nothing less.

He didn't understand. With a derisive snort, he replied, “Of course I was only going to give you one gift. Were you expecting more? Don’t be greedy.”

…

Not long after, he and Samantha left for the airport.

From the second-floor window, I watched their car disappear into the distance, my gaze cold, my heart steady.

For the first time, I allowed myself to look forward to our reunion in Austrane.