Chapter 2

The next morning at breakfast, the entire family was talking about Beth’s trip overseas to clear her head.

Mom placed a glass of milk in front of her, her voice as gentle as if she were soothing a child.

“Eat a little more, or your stomach might feel uncomfortable on the plane.”

My brother handed her the camera he had just bought.

“Take lots of pictures by the sea when you get there. And stop thinking about that man.”

Dad said,

“You don’t need to worry about the cost of this trip. I’ve taken care of everything. And when you come back, the new club will be waiting for you. Don’t be afraid.”

I sat at the end of the table, with nothing but half a glass of cold water in front of me.

Mom suddenly looked up.

“Lilith, go with Beth to the bridal shop this afternoon.”

My hand tightened around my spoon.

“What for?”

Beth said quietly,

“I want to wear your wedding dress for a rebirth-themed photo shoot. The doctor said it might help me say goodbye to the past through a new sense of ceremony.”

As soon as she finished, she quickly added,

“Sis, if you mind, I won’t wear it.”

Mom’s expression changed instantly.

“What does she have to mind? You’re not even having the wedding anymore. What’s wrong with letting Beth use the dress?”

I looked at Mom.

“I designed that wedding dress myself, and I haven’t even worn it yet.”

She froze for a moment before quickly saying,

“A wedding dress is just a lifeless object. Beth is your own sister. She finally agreed to go out today. Don’t ruin it for her.”

I stared at her.

“You canceled my wedding, and now you want to take my wedding dress and use it to comfort her, too?”

David put down his chopsticks.

“It’s only for two hours, Lilith. Don’t make it sound like the whole family is conspiring to steal your things.”

“I waited five years for that wedding dress!”

Dad spoke in a low voice.

“Lilith, you need to think about the bigger picture. If Beth can truly move on, it’ll make things easier for the whole family.”

“If she gets better, the family will be stable. And once the family is stable, you can have a beautiful wedding. Isn’t that right?”

In their family, there had never been a place for me.

Beth stood up with red-rimmed eyes.

“Forget it. I won’t go. Sister is so upset. I don’t want her to hate me.”

She had barely taken a step when her body swayed and she suddenly collapsed.

Mom screamed and caught her.

“Beth!”

My brother rushed over and turned around to yell at me.

“Are you happy now? She finally worked up the courage to go out, and you drove her back into this state with just a few words. If something really happens to her, can you take responsibility?”

I sat there, suddenly too tired to explain myself.

The moment she cried, I became the villain.

Mom helped Beth upstairs, but before leaving, she still threw one last sentence at me.

“You have to go with Beth this afternoon and give her the wedding dress.”

“And apologize to her. Stop giving her that cold attitude.”

I said nothing.

Dad thought I had finally given in, and his tone softened slightly.

“Lilith, stop looking so miserable all the time. You should have some joy on your face.”

“It’s precisely because you’re always so cold that everyone likes Beth more.”

I looked up at him and asked,

“What’s the access code for the new club ?”

Dad clearly hadn’t expected me to ask that.

“Why are you asking?”

David answered casually,

“0916. Beth’s birthday. Easy to remember.”

I froze for a few seconds.

My birthday was in November.

No one remembered.

Mom came downstairs and frowned when she saw my expression.

“What’s wrong now?”

I said,

“Mom, what’s my favorite color?”

She froze.

“Why are you suddenly asking me that?”

“You said you’d make it up to me with an even better wedding someday. I want to know how you plan to make it up to me.”

Her face stiffened for a moment.

“Isn’t a wedding just roses, beautiful decorations and a castle? How would I know what you like?”

But she knew Beth liked light pink.

She knew Beth preferred quiet hotels.

I nodded and said nothing more.

That afternoon, I didn’t go to the bridal shop.

I went to the copyright registration center.

I submitted all the designs, original drafts, email records, and notarized documents that had been used without authorization over the years.

The staff member asked me,

“None of these works have been credited to you as the author?”

I said, “They weren’t before.”

“What about from now on?”

I was silent for two seconds.

“From now on, they will only bear my name.”

By the time I finished the paperwork and walked outside, it was already dark.

There were dozens of messages from Mom on my phone.

“Why didn’t you come? Beth waited for you all afternoon!”

“You’re becoming more and more selfish!”

The last message was from my brother:

“Come home tonight and apologize to Beth. Don’t make me come looking for you.”

I stared at those words and smiled bitterly.