Chapter 8
“Gianna, I know that Helena did a lot of wrong things at your wedding, and I said some hurtful things to you. I’m really sorry.”
As I watched my stepmother cry and slap herself in frustration, I couldn’t help but feel exasperated at her insistence that I attend Helena’s wedding. Why was she so desperate for me to be there? Did she really believe that witnessing the wedding would somehow convince me to give up on everything?
I raised my hands in a plea. “Don’t worry, I promise I won’t bother Daniel anymore! You can just be a good mother–in–law.”
I turned to leave, but she suddenly wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me back.
“But Daniel said that if you don’t go, the
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wedding won’t happen!”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that. So, all the blame was being placed on me. As if my absence could somehow doom their marriage. Would I really never get married if I didn’t show up?
I didn’t think much of it until Daniel’s mother called my phone. That’s when I realized he was serious about this wedding. Glancing at the flight time, I was relieved to see I still had six hours. I needed to hurry to the venue.
Helena was poised in front of Daniel, her hand raised, just waiting for the diamond ring. As soon as Daniel spotted me, his eyes lit up, and he hurried off the stage, trembling with urgency.
When he drew closer, I instinctively took a
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Chapter 8
few steps back. “I only came to see you get married. If your mother hadn’t called, I wouldn’t have bothered to show up,” I said, trying to keep my distance.
I half–expected him to say something cutting in response, but instead, he lowered his head, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I just hope you can see my true feelings.”
Though the words hinted at his desire for reconciliation, I felt no interest in it. I extended my hand, urging him to return to the stage and finish the ceremony. “Hurry up and get married. I still have a flight to catch.”
Daniel looked at me intently, his expression serious. “I know you haven‘ t forgiven me, but I swear in my heart that I will pursue you with all my might!”
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As soon as Daniel stepped onto the stage, he snapped his fingers, and the screen behind him lit up with photos of us together. To my astonishment, even the bride’s name had been changed to mine. Helena’s expression shifted to one of desperation as she spotted me, and she cursed me for intruding.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all; it felt like a child‘ s game. Did he really believe that showing a few photos could signify love? Did he think a new ring could atone for past mistakes? It was all so tiresome.
While Daniel attempted to clarify the misunderstandings, I was ready to leave. But then Helena, seeing me turning to walk away, kicked off her shoes and lunged at me.
Unfortunately, she tripped over the wires on
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the ground, and the heavy iron frame behind her came crashing down.
I gasped in shock and stumbled backward, falling to the ground. Helena screamed as the weight bore down on her, blood seeping from her injuries.
Yet Daniel’s gaze remained locked on me as he rushed to my side, concern etched on his face. “Are you okay? Why aren’t you scared?”
“I’m fine, but Helena needs help!” I quickly got to my feet, urging him to focus on her instead of me.
Daniel waved his hand dismissively. “Her mother is here. If you don’t want to be around, let’s just go back.”
I glanced at the holes in my clothes and reluctantly agreed. During the drive, Helena
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called him countless times, but Daniel ignored her, eventually turning off his phone altogether.
I sighed, surprised when my stepmother’s call came through. She told me that Helena had been paralyzed and would never walk again. I looked at Daniel, but he seemed oblivious to my concern, hanging up the phone with a smile on his face.
Upon returning to the old house, everything felt different. Helena‘ s beloved green curtains had been replaced with my favorite yellow, and the roses in the vase had been swapped for my preferred lilies. Daniel eagerly showed me around, but it all felt like a distant memory, and I didn’t see the need for any of this.
He led me to a room that had previously been
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off limits, and I was struck by the sight of all my photos displayed inside. Some were from our school days, others captured moments from our romance, and some dated back to the time when we had broken up. Daniel rubbed his hands nervously and confessed that he had spent a lot of money to buy them from Nicole.
I smiled bitterly, realizing why Nicole had given me a hefty sum of money recently, claiming she felt sorry for me. It turned out it all came from Daniel.
“What about Helena‘ s photo?” I asked casually, trying to mask my curiosity.
Daniel pointed to the ashes in the corner, remnants of everything that had been burned to cinders. I nodded indifferently, quickly
changing my clothes and rushing to catch my
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changing my clothes and rushing to catch my flight.
“Will you come back?” Daniel asked
helplessly, glancing at the suitcase at my feet.
Come back? I didn’t think so. He fell silent upon receiving my unspoken answer, but continued pleading, “Will you think of me then?”
I sighed, knowing my answer was still no.
“Then go! Just go! Don‘ t come back to me!”
“You don’t love me at all anymore; I want the old you!”
In a sudden burst of frustration, Daniel pushed me out the door and tossed my suitcase after me. I was bewildered by his erratic behavior.
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erratic behavior.
He didn’t text me until I had reached the stairs. “I know you don‘ t love me anymore, and I woke up too late. Just go far away and don’t come back. I wanted to be with you forever.”
Confusion washed over me as I read his message. But then I heard a gasp from passersby and instinctively looked up. Thick smoke billowed out of the window of his house–Daniel had set himself on fire!
My heart raced as I quickly dialed the fire department. Watching as a group rushed into the building, I turned away and left without a second thought.
As I sat on the plane, gazing at the layers of clouds, I made my way to Australia. Nicole
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