Semua Bab Scattered Pieces of The Past: Bab 1 - Bab 8

I stepped forward, but my mother grabbed my arm."It’s Tiana’s wedding day," she warned. "Don't you dare ruin it."I froze. The whole situation felt absurd.I spent a month planning this proposal. I picked every flower. I designed every detail.Now, Tiana wore the veil I spent hours embroidering with my hands.My life savings paid for the ring on her finger.The vows she read were stolen directly from the love letter I wrote to Liam Daniels.I was supposed to be the happiest woman in the world tonight. Instead, I was just a fool setting the stage for someone else's fairy tale.---As the ceremony wrapped up, Liam followed me outside. He pulled me into an embrace, just like he used to."Don't misunderstand," he whispered. "Tiana is terminally ill. She doesn't have much time left. She just wanted to feel what it's like to be a bride."He pressed a kiss to my hair. "We didn't sign a marriage license. I'm still yours."Mine?He had used that same phrase for five years every

I spent a whole month in a hotel before anyone bothered to check if I was dead or alive. My father’s assistant finally called."Your father's birthday party is tomorrow. He expects you to be there on time."I stared at the phone. Memories of the warmth my family used to give me flashed through my mind. Against my better judgment, I showed up.When Liam spotted me across the crowded hall, his fake smile instantly evaporated."Cassandra? What are you doing here?"I stayed put, quietly watching my parents and my best friend, Mia, hovering protectively over Tiana.Ten years ago, when my adoption was finalized, they had stood in front of me the exact same way to protect me from the press.Same people. Same protective stances. But everything else had changed.Before I could even process the bitterness, Tiana’s eyes filled up with fat, heavy tears. She fixed her gaze on my wrist."That charm bracelet is so pretty, Cassandra..." she whimpered. "I guess I got sick so young because

My parents' faces turned ghost-white.My father shook his head in immediate denial. "That blood on the grass is just drippings from the raw meat we grilled last night. Did Cassandra put some crazy idea in your head? Don't listen to her!"Beside him, my mother’s heart beat frantically against her ribs."No... Cassandra wasn't acting right last night."She turned to the butler. "Check the security cameras from last night. Right now!"Five minutes later, the butler sprinted back across the lawn, sweating profusely while holding a tablet."Sir, someone manually wiped last night's footage. The memory card is completely blank."Even my usually calm father panicked. The security system was a high-end imported model. It was practically impossible to glitch unless someone intentionally tampered with it.Staring at the pitch-black screen, an unwarranted rage flared inside him."Call Mia! She's a tech whiz, tell her to get over here and recover the files!"---Mia arrived within

Six months had passed since I transferred to the overseas branch.It was called a horizontal move, but in reality, it was a major promotion. The company gave me total control over key projects and team management.Over those six months, I shed my old self.I stopped making excuses for people who hurt me. I threw my mind and energy into my career instead.I pulled countless late nights, sharpening my skills and building a life where I didn't need to depend on anyone.As for the broken trust and wasted love, I buried them deep, letting time smooth over the ragged edges.---Before long, the department organized an annual beach bonfire party."Cassandra, our beach retreats are always incredible. You have to come!" my team lead, Vivian, insisted, smiling so warmly I couldn't bring myself to say no."Alright," I laughed gently. "I'll be there."That evening, everyone gathered around the towering bonfire, singing, dancing, and roasting skewers.When my eyes hit the leaping flame