Semua Bab Behind the White Dress: Bab 1 - Bab 9

Glancing down at my robe, I noticed the patches at the cuffs and hem, the wear and tear from my time spent in mountain solitude."This is what I wear for my spiritual practices," I said, undisturbed by her mockery.Betty laughed, sharp and mocking. "Aria, surely you haven't given up on love just to live as a hermit?"Laughter erupted from the relatives as they caught sight of me."Seriously, who dresses like that anymore? You look like you're begging in the streets.""I know, right? You're practically radiating poverty. Did you escape from some rundown place?""Aria, it's your cousin's big day. Can't you put on something nice? You've been to college, for heaven's sake. Why do you seem to be moving backwards in life?"Betty sauntered over, oozing fake concern. "Let's not be too hard on Aria. Maybe she's just strapped for cash?"She paused dramatically and continued, "I'll tell you what. I'll have the makeup artist whip up a bridesmaid dress for you, how about that?"I glanced a

"Was I ever!" Betty pouted, shooting covert glances at the relatives, cueing them to keep up their act."Joseph!"I yelled with everything I had, but my plea was muffled and cut short, and all I could do was watch as Joseph was whisked away by Betty.He did not even spare a glance for that messy corner.In the bedlam, I was shoved hard and hit the ground with a thud, my knees screaming in pain.Laughter, sharp and mocking, rang out around me. My fingers clenched into my palms, fury simmering just below the surface.Those so-called relatives, paragons of virtue on any other day, circled me like a pack of hyenas who were ready to rip me apart."That's it!"I could not take it anymore. With a burst of energy, I sent them reeling.They stumbled back, their faces etched with fear.As they scattered, Betty, heels clicking with determination, stormed back to me, ready for battle.She caught sight of my ragged state and a glint of satisfaction danced in her eyes."Aria, what on ear

I bent down to pick up the broken pieces of what was once his lucky charm and continued, "Now, you've shattered his life with your own two hands."Betty's face was drained of color.She shook her head wildly. "No way! That can't be! He's supposed to be filthy rich! He looked so healthy!""Healthy?" I scoffed, flicking my fingertip, sending a spark of magic into Joseph.He coughed up a mouthful of dark blood, his veins turning black, spreading like a web across his body."See that? That's his real self."Betty lost it completely. She dashed to me, clutching at my clothes, her voice shaking."Aria, I messed up! I really did! Please save him! You have to save him! He's the richest guy around. If he goes down, who will cover my debts?""Save him?" I eased her fingers off my clothes, "And why would I do that?"She froze before letting out a desperate shriek. "You love him, don't you? Didn't you use your magic for him? How can you stand by and let him die?!"Watching her fall apart

The nurse replied uncomfortably, "I've tried three times already."Betty grabbed the card from the nurse's hand and hastily dug out a few more. "Try these!" she demanded.Once the nurse left with the cards, Betty's face had turned ghostly white.She scrolled through her mobile banking app in a panic, then let out a sharp cry. "What's going on?!"Her screen showed a string of zeros and every account was empty.She gripped Joseph's shoulders, shaking him. "Joseph! Our money, where is it?! What happened to it?!"Joseph could only offer a feeble shake of his head, but his eyes found mine. "The lucky charm's broken, so our good luck is gone..."Betty reeled as if struck by an invisible force. "No, this can't be!"She spun around to face me, eyes wide with fear and disbelief. "You! You did this!"I met her gaze with calm. "I just reclaimed what was never his to begin with. That charm didn't just save his life. It also changed his luck. Now that it's shattered, everything's reset to