On our wedding day, Julian went live across all social media, delivering a passionate declaration: “Happy wedding day, my beloved wife.” The very next second, he brutally ripped off my veil, a wicked smirk on his face: “Happy divorce, Aurora.” The tears of joy I’d been shedding froze on my cheeks. The entire ballroom erupted in laughter. As I stared in horrified disbelief, he pulled his assistant, stunning in a slinky gown, into his arms. “If you hadn’t insisted on fighting her for that necklace a week ago, I wouldn’t be doing this to you. “When you finally apologize and she’s calmed down, *then* I’ll actually marry you.” But he forgot, that necklace was a family heirloom, left to me by my mother. The Vance family’s legacy. I became the internet’s biggest joke. Meanwhile, Julian and his assistant’s ‘couple’ went absolutely viral. It was three months later, after he’d finished globetrotting with his assistant, that he casually asked: “Has she apologized yet?” “Mr. Caldwell, Ms. Aurora… she got married.”
“Mr. Caldwell, he’s the one who didn’t want to marry me.” The study was dimly lit. Julian’s father sat at his desk, his face etched with worry. He sighed. “I truly believed, with how close our families have always been, that our children could also… “Never mind, never mind… “Matters of the heart truly aren’t something you can force.” He handed me the engagement agreement and a check, both clearly marked “VOID.” “You should leave. Fill in whatever number you want on the check.” I walked out. Leaving the check behind. Our families had been close for generations, arranging my engagement to Julian. Of course, it was also about status and mutual advantage. But truthfully, aside from Julian himself, the Caldwell family had never wronged me. And I wouldn’t take a single dime from Mr. Caldwell. Stepping out of the mansion, I looked at the blazing sun, vaguely recalling that my first meeting with Julian had also been on such a bright, sunny day. He was like a rose on a high cliff, formidable and unapproachable, and I fell for him at first sight. But he sized me up, then sneered: “You’re not bad looking, but don’t even *think* about things that aren’t meant for you.” I thought he was talking about the Caldwell family fortune. He thought I was a gold-digger. For three years, I tried to make him understand I wasn’t after his money. It wasn’t until Seraphina returned from overseas and he eagerly brought her in as his personal assistant that I finally understood. He was talking about *his love*. I couldn’t accept that I’d wasted three years, so I clung to our engagement. But now. I tore the agreement to shreds and threw it into the trash. Then, a new message popped up on my phone: 【I’m leaving. If you’re really sure you won’t say yes, we won’t ever see each other again.】 【I agree.】 Not long after I sent the message, my phone rang. “You’re not just playing hard to get with him, are you?” “I swear, as Eleanor Vance’s daughter, I’m not lying to you.” On the other end, he took a few shaky breaths. Finally, he choked out one sentence: “I’ll treat you well.” I smiled. For Arthur, that was the biggest declaration of love he could make. My flight ticket arrived soon after. Departing tonight. I returned to the mansion to pack my bags. As I pushed open the door, I found Julian, who rarely showed his face at the mansion, actually waiting for me. “Have you thought it over?” In the darkness, his voice was chillingly low. “The necklace, are you going to give it to her?” I clutched the necklace around my neck. “Seraphina comes from a humble background; she’s only just started to experience luxury these past couple of years. She’s not even upset you *usurped her position*, she just liked your necklace. What, that’s not enough for you?” He walked closer, leaning over me. “Do you want me to really cancel our engagement?” That was his biggest threat to me. I used to feel so unwilling to let go. I felt like I was here first. Even if Seraphina had met him earlier, she had never truly loved him. Otherwise, why would she marry a rich old guy? Why would she instantly divorce him when she found her name wasn’t in his will, only to come back to Julian? I smiled. “Wouldn’t that be… exactly what you wanted?” I looked into his eyes. He frowned. Then, he turned and picked up two round-the-world tickets. One was his. The other… My heart seized up – It was my name? I was stunned – I had once said I wanted to travel the world before getting married. Would he actually buy me a ticket? The next second, the ticket was ripped to shreds. He tossed them carelessly, and the pieces fluttered down, landing on my hair, on my shoulders. He picked up his phone. “Rebook the tickets, for Seraphina and me. “Yes, I changed my mind.” With that, he glanced down at my astonished face, a sneer playing on his lips. He brushed past my shoulder, walking away from me.
As for Julian buying me a ticket, I was more inclined to believe he was just putting on a show of a loving couple for his father. Someone who hated me as much as he did would never genuinely do something good for me. I touched the necklace around my neck. I closed my eyes – This was the only memento my mother left me. It was also the Vance family’s legacy, passed down through generations. I would never, ever give it to anyone. I took off the necklace, carefully placed it in a velvet box, and packed it into my suitcase. I had planned to leave that night, but an electronic invitation landed in my inbox. It was for my mother’s fifth anniversary memorial concert. Inviting me, her only descendant, to perform her classic compositions. I hesitated for a moment. I called Arthur. “Can I come a couple of days later?” A moment of silence. “Are you having second thoughts?” “How could I?” I laughed. “I have something I absolutely must do.” “…Alright, I trust you, and I’ll wait for you.” A warm feeling welled up in my heart. I nodded. “Okay.” The concert was in two days. During these two days, I didn’t send Julian a single message. And he, as always, never contacted me first. I enjoyed the peace, focusing on practicing my mother’s pieces. Though I knew them by heart, I still wanted to present my best at my mother’s memorial concert. That morning, I woke up early, washed, and did my makeup. But, the moment I opened the red velvet box, the necklace was gone. I froze. A bad premonition crept into my heart. I called Julian. Through the phone, the background music of a concert hall sent a chill down my spine. “Are you at a concert? Did you take my necklace?!” Julian’s voice was nonchalant. “Seraphina has never performed at an event like this. She’s always dreamed of being a musician, but due to her family circumstances, she never had the chance. For you, a descendant of a renowned musical family, these occasions are plentiful. Seraphina’s birthday is coming up; just consider this your birthday gift to her.” “Julian!!” My furious shout echoed through the room. But then, the dial tone ‘beeped’ through the receiver. He’d hung up. I called again; no answer. I rushed to the venue as fast as I could. The moment I stepped out of the car, the music emanating from inside made my blood run cold – No! This song absolutely cannot be played in this setting!
On the concert stage, a familiar figure, wearing a mask, elegantly sat at the piano. And around her neck was my mother’s necklace! Under the expectant gaze of the audience, Seraphina’s graceful fingers lifted, pressing down on the first note. “No!” I tried to shout for her to stop. But the venue was too large; my voice couldn’t reach far enough. By the time I rushed to the VIP seating, someone suddenly stood up. “What song is that?! Don’t you know the composer of that melody promoted hateful ideologies?!” “Eleanor Vance was a celebrated humanitarian composer, a symbol of peace! You’re playing music by a composer known for hate speech – what does that mean?!” “This is a concert to honor Eleanor Vance! As her daughter, you’re not playing her classic compositions, but instead a controversial melody – what are your intentions?!” Audience members started standing up. If it weren’t for security holding them back, they would have likely stormed the stage by now. Seraphina stood up, startled. I could almost imagine the terrified expression beneath her mask. Julian rose from the VIP seating, giving a few quick instructions to his bodyguards. The next second, the furious crowd was held back by Julian’s men, five meters from the stage. He, meanwhile, escorted Seraphina backstage. I pushed aside the backstage curtain. “Seraphina!” Without a word, I lunged for her neck. But a hand firmly grabbed my wrist. “Let go!” I desperately tried to get to Seraphina, when Julian’s voice came from above me: “Have you made enough of a scene?! “Seraphina doesn’t mind you taking *her* place in my life, yet you’re constantly targeting her! What’s wrong with you?! “She’s not asking for anything valuable, just a simple apology and a cheap necklace! This concert might be insignificant to you, but it’s *her dream*! “Can’t you have a heart?!” “Slap!” My hand landed hard on his face. “Julian, darling!” Seraphina shrieked and threw herself at him. Julian looked at me in disbelief. “You… hit me?” I was breathing heavily. “First, this is a concert to honor my mother. “Second, that necklace is the Vance family’s legacy! Only I, a Vance, have the right to wear it!” Julian flinched. But Seraphina burst into tears. “Aurora, you’re lying! Why aren’t you usually celebrating, but suddenly you are now that it’s almost my birthday and I want to hold a concert? “You just look down on me, you don’t want me to achieve my dreams! You could have just said so, I would have stepped aside! Why lay a hand on Julian, darling?!” She cried even harder after that. I was furious and about to speak, but the organizer’s voice from outside interrupted me. “Excuse me, everyone, that’s not Ms. Vance’s daughter at all; our staff made a mistake. Please, calm down.” “Impossible!” The angry voices of the audience roared through the microphone across the venue. “She’s wearing the Vance family heirloom around her neck! I recognized it immediately!” “Exactly! Who else but a Vance would have that necklace?!” “Unless you bring out the *real* one, we won’t believe you! Do you dare? Do you dare?!” The organizer was extremely flustered. “We’re coordinating, we’re coordinating right now…” “Julian, darling!” Seraphina shrank into Julian’s arms. I glared at him. “Julian, make her go out there.” “Julian, darling…” Seraphina’s tears fell instantly. She pressed even closer to Julian. “Julian!” I gritted my teeth. “This is entirely her fault!” Julian paused. He raised his hand. And took off Seraphina’s necklace. “Aurora, switch outfits with her.” I thought I’d misheard. “You… you want me to admit that I played *that* song?” Julian gave a silent affirmation. “My mother was a humanitarian composer! How could I play that kind of music?! “It’s Seraphina’s poor judgment and lack of understanding! What does that have to do with me?!” “Seraphina was just careless for a moment!” Julian raised his voice. He pulled Seraphina closer. “She’s not a trained musician; her knowledge of composers isn’t as extensive as yours. You can’t be so harsh on her. “I promise you, just this once. After this, I’ll marry you.” “I refuse!” With that, I strode forward, trying to snatch the necklace. But Julian was too tall. He easily dodged me, extending the necklace out the window. “No!”
Julian held the necklace out the window with one hand, effortlessly restraining me with the other. “Are you going to let her bear all the rumors and scorn?” My eyes welled up. “So *I* can bear it, then?” A flicker of reluctance crossed his eyes. “I’m sorry. I will marry you. No one will dare bully Julian Caldwell’s wife.” I clutched the lapel of his jacket. “But,” he changed his tone, “If you don’t agree, I’ll just have to destroy this necklace.” “Wait!” Watching the necklace hang precariously from his fingers, swaying with the breeze. My hands trembled. “I’ll go out…” The curtain was pulled back, and I, wearing Seraphina’s dress, was pushed out. A microphone ‘thumped!’ against my forehead. Angry shouts filled my ears. “Traitor! How could you betray your mother’s legacy?!” “How can your mother rest in peace in her grave knowing you played *that* song?!” Tears streamed down my face. I bit down hard. “I’m sorry…” “What good is ‘sorry’?! If you’re truly remorseful, go die!” “That’s right! Die!” “Die!” My body trembled. I gritted my teeth. I bent down. “I’m sorry…” Rotten vegetables, shoes, and even phones were hurled at me. My forehead was bleeding from the impact. I looked up, and a familiar figure appeared behind the crowd. Julian stood behind everyone, watching me. For a moment, I actually thought I saw a flicker of heartache in his eyes. I guess… I must have been concussed. Julian turned and left. When I stumbled back backstage, the necklace was indeed resting perfectly in the red velvet box. It had even been polished, looking brand new. “Here, Julian, darling, left it for you.” Seraphina reluctantly pushed the box towards me. My hands trembled. Just as I was about to touch the necklace, another hand snatched it away. Seraphina’s chilling smile flashed before my eyes. The next second. “Smash!” The necklace hit the ground, shattering into pieces. “Did you really think I’d give it to you?” Seraphina laughed mockingly. “Dream on!” “Slap!” A bloody handprint appeared on her face. She fell heavily to the ground. “Bitch!” I raised my hand again. But my wrist was suddenly yanked. “Slap!” My face burned. I fell to the ground. Julian never hit women. Even when he couldn’t stand me, at most, he’d just mock me. Even when I slapped him, he wouldn’t hit back. This time, for Seraphina. He laid a hand on me. His leather shoe ground harshly on the shattered fragments of the necklace. “The necklace was already given to you, why did you still hit her?” “Julian…” “Enough!” He gritted his teeth. “I thought you were just a bit willful, but I never realized you were even more despicable than I imagined! It’s a miracle your mother didn’t live to see your monstrous face!” “You!” I coughed up a mouthful of blood. I was already injured. Now, consumed by anger, my vision completely blurred. The previous voices became panicked. “Aurora?” “Aurora, wake up!” I was pulled into an embrace. Hazily, I thought I heard Seraphina’s voice. “Julian, darling! Where are you going, leaving me behind?!” I woke up again, my cheek being gently stroked. Feeling me stir, the hand quickly withdrew. “When you’re better, go apologize to her.”
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