Chapter 4

Dad looked completely baffled, as if he’d just heard the most ridiculous joke.

“What kind of crazy talk is that?”

“My older daughter is getting married next month. My younger daughter is in Paris, prepping for her entrance interview at a top art school.”

“Besides, would my daughter marry some low-life gambling addict?”

“Just some nutcase trying to scam for money.”

David chuckled and headed back to his office.

“That’s what I figured. I had security kick them out.”

At noon, Mom brought sandwiches to Dad’s office for lunch.

She overheard the receptionists gossiping.

“The nerve of some broke people these days.

Dragging their whole family here, claiming to be Arthur’s son-in-law.

As if Arthur would have a son-in-law like that.”

The words hit Mom’s ears.

For some reason, a wave of unspeakable panic washed over her.

A mother's intuition made her break out in a cold sweat.

She tried desperately to push the terrifying thought away.

She forced Dad to call Aunt Susan right then and there, just to be sure.

The phone rang for a long time.

Finally, my aunt answered.

The faint sound of classical music played in the background.

“Chloe? Oh, she’s in the studio, working like crazy on her portfolio.”

“Her final review for the art school is in a couple of days. She can’t take a break for a second.”

Mom yelled into the phone, “Let me talk to Chloe!”

But before she could, Dad had already hung up, annoyed. He shot Mom a cold look.

“Didn’t you hear Susan? The kid’s busy.”

“I don’t know what kind of nonsense you’re cooking up in that head of yours. You think my own sister would lie to us?”

“Instead of wasting time on this, you should be worrying about Claire’s garden wedding.”

Mom still felt a strong sense of unease.

But seeing Dad angry, she didn't dare say more.

Luckily, the gambling addict didn't show up again.

There were a million things to do for Claire's wedding, and Mom gradually pushed the incident to the back of her mind.

Five days later, it was Claire's wedding day.

The garden was filled with flowers and buzzing with guests.

Claire, in her designer gown, looked like a radiant princess.

Mom’s eyes welled with tears as she personally fastened the emerald necklace around her daughter's neck.

Guests surrounded them, raising their glasses. Everyone was laughing.

I stood alone in a corner by the champagne tower, watching it all.

After today, I would be gone.

Vanished from this world for good.

I drifted in front of Mom, wanting her to see me too, but it was all in vain.

Aunt Susan had flown in for the wedding.

Mom looked eagerly behind her, then her eyes fell in disappointment.

My aunt saw the look and comforted her with a fake sincerity.

“You did all this for the good of both your children.”

“Claire gets to marry in peace, and Chloe gets to focus on her art school offer.”

Dad nodded in agreement, and Mom’s expression finally relaxed. She stopped thinking about all the troubling things.

The string music began.

The ceremony was starting.

Mom and Dad looked at Claire with a love that was overflowing.

In that moment, I didn't feel pain anymore.

Just complete and utter relief.

A kind of peace I’d never known.

I turned and floated toward the garden exit.

Suddenly, a harsh commotion shattered the elegant music.

A man reeking of cheap whiskey and weed shoved the security guards aside and stormed in.

Behind him was a crude-looking woman, Mrs. Miller, clutching a baby wrapped in a filthy blanket.

The man staggered up to my parents and spat viciously on the grass.

“You’re Arthur, right? I’m your son-in-law!”

My parents stared in horror at the trashy people in front of them.

The man's eyes were filled with greed as he gestured at the luxurious garden. “You’re throwing a party this fancy, but you let me go without enough money for a drink?”

Looking at the grimy baby, all of Mom’s fears became a reality.

She grabbed Mrs. Miller’s arm, her voice trembling, about to ask where Chloe was.

But the man spoke first, his voice raw with anger. “I’m here for the money you owe me!”

Mrs. Miller chimed in, shoving the baby right in Mom’s face.

“That useless girl of yours, Chloe, was too damn delicate! Bled out and died at the ER after having the baby, and left my son with a mountain of medical bills!”