Chapter 2 A Ring That Changed Hands

My phone kept buzzing as congratulations poured in.

I replied to friends and family on autopilot, saying that the wedding was canceled. I was also ready to return every wedding gift, one by one.

Then, a new notification popped up on my social feed.

Elena had posted a close-up photo of two hands tightly intertwined, fingers locked. The caption read, 'Julian's scent is the most comforting thing in the world.'

Julian replied underneath with a hugging emoji.

I stared at the bruises circling her wrist in the photo and suddenly laughed out loud.

How ironic.

The engagement ring I had chosen myself was now shining on someone else's finger.

I commented under the post. Elena's video call came through almost instantaneously.

On the screen, Julian's bare chest was covered in scratch marks. Elena curled up against him like a cat, deliberately exposing the bite mark on her shoulder.

"Nora." Her voice was sickly sweet. She ran her fingers over Julian's abs as if showing off. "Julian's exhausted and still sleeping. He worked so hard last night helping me detox…"

I watched her performance without a flicker of expression.

"Oh, right," she added suddenly, covering her mouth in mock surprise and shaking her head. "Isn't today your wedding? It’s all my fault. If I hadn't been drugged… Nora, you're not mad at me, are you?"

The camera shifted to Julian's sleeping face. His neck was covered in hickeys, and a very visible bite mark sat on his collarbone.

"Elena, stop pretending. You know perfectly well who drugged whom," I cut in coldly, having no interest in watching her put on that fake act.

"Nora," she sneered, dropping the act, "Julian and I have known each other for over ten years. You really think you can compete with me? We're not even related by blood. He was always meant to be mine. You're just some broke nobody. What right do you have to be with him?"

I laughed.

Julian had mentioned this "sister" countless times while we were together. He always said she was delicate, that I had to treat her well in the future. I used to tease him for still doting on his sister like this at his age. I never imagined this was the truth between them.

She smiled smugly, then instantly switched to a pitiful expression. "Julian, Nora's being mean to me…"

He stirred awake. When he saw me on the screen, he froze. "Nora…"

"Julian, don't you find this little sibling act of yours disgusting?"

Elena burst into tears. "It's all my fault! Julian, don't fight with Nora. I'll just leave…"

Julian exploded upon hearing her cry. "That's enough! Nora! If you've got a problem, take it out on me! Don't lash out at Elena! She's already in such a pitiful state, and you're still pushing her? It's just a wedding. So what if we postpone it? Do you have to be this vicious?

"We're not even legally married yet. I'll sleep with whoever I want. You don't get to control me!"

I looked at the way Julian shielded Elena and let out a sardonic laugh. "You're right. We're not legally married. Your body, your choice."

My softened tone made Julian relax. "Good. Stop being angry with Elena. As long as you treat her well, we'll have another wedding in a few days."

I nodded calmly. He clearly took it as a compromise and hung up the call, satisfied.

From this moment on, I would no longer concern myself with anything related to Julian.

…

I heard the front door unlock at 3 p.m.

Julian walked in with his arm around Elena's waist, dragging two oversized suitcases behind them.

"The doctor says she needs continued observation," Julian said casually, as if discussing dinner plans. "This mess happened because of you, after all. Elena will stay in the master bedroom."

Elena tilted her head and smiled sweetly at me. Her slender fingers deliberately tugged at Julian's collar, revealing the bruises beneath.

"You won't mind, will you, Nora?"

I said nothing, watching her inspect our wedding home like she was the mistress.

She suddenly stopped in front of a family photo of my parents and me. "Wow, are these Nora's parents?"

Before I could react, the frame smashed heavily onto the floor.

Glass shards were scattered everywhere, slicing across my smiling face in the photo.

"Nora, I didn't mean to."

I stared at the last photo I had with my parents, now shattered at Elena's feet. Rage surged through me, and I raised my hand.

Before I could touch her, Julian stepped in front of Elena and slapped me hard across the face.

Elena cried out and threw herself into his arms.

"She didn't do it on purpose! Is this really necessary?"