In the Duncan Villa, Cynthia Mitchell sat with a downcast expression, her face pale. “Mrs. Duncan, I’ve thought it over. I want to marry Ivan. Can we set the wedding for the 15th of next month?” Ivan Duncan’s mother, Jennifer Duncan, was taken aback by Cynthia’s sudden declaration, but the surprise quickly melted into joy. Her eyes sparkled as she eagerly asked, “Really? I should’ve known it all along. You two grew up together, and it’s so obvious. He’s always been crazy about you. But… the 15th of next month… that’s… “It’s Stanley’s wedding. But that works, right? Double joy for the family.” Cynthia murmured softly, but inside, her heart was in knots. Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Stanley Duncan, Ivan’s uncle. [You’re on your period today. Take care of yourself.] She stared at the message for a moment, her finger hovering over the screen. After a brief hesitation, she deleted it without a second thought. When she was just eight, her parents died in a plane crash, leaving her all alone in the world. It was Stanley who took her in and gave her a place in his home. After losing her parents, Cynthia became fragile and timid. Stanley, ever so gentle and caring, kept her close, attending to her every need. He’d always been there for her, telling her bedtime stories, picking her up from school, planning her meals, and even guiding her through life’s lessons. He gave her everything and raised her to be strong. Over the years, the fragile little girl who had arrived at his doorstep transformed into a graceful young woman. On her 18th birthday, a powerful typhoon raged outside, bringing torrents of rain. Frightened, she hid in Stanley’s room, curling up on his bed for comfort. That night, she quietly slid off her nightgown and pressed her cold body against his warm back. A clap of thunder startled them both, and Stanley immediately pulled his hand away from her waist. “Cinny, what are you doing? Do you know I’m your uncle? “But we are not blood-related. You’re a Duncan, and I’m from the Mitchell family.” Seeing her unwavering in her feelings, Stanley sighed, his tone softening as he gently ran his hand over her lace nightgown. “Cinny, you’re still so young. You don’t understand the difference between familial love and romantic love. You don’t even know what it really means to like someone.” Cynthia, desperate and determined, straddled him and sank her teeth into his shoulder. “But I’m an adult now! “And you raised me!” That moment marked a turning point. From then on, Stanley began to distance himself from her. In the past, he would personally take her to dinner and make sure she was safe. But now, he avoided her at every turn. The truth finally hit when Cynthia saw Stanley with another woman, an elegant, seductive woman with a figure that made Cynthia feel like a child in comparison. “Stanley, is she the kind of woman you really want?” Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft call from Jennifer. “Cinny, look!” Jennifer led her to Ivan’s room. She opened the bookshelf, revealing neatly arranged piles of Cynthia’s photos, from childhood all the way to college. Every stage of her life was there. Cynthia’s heart clenched. The photos were from Ivan, her childhood friend, and Stanley’s nephew. When they were children, Ivan had been the typical spoiled rich kid. Unable to handle him, Ivan’s father, Arthur Duncan, had sent him to Stanley to discipline. While Stanley pampered Cynthia, he was strict with Ivan, teaching him the value of responsibility. The two of them had grown up together, but they never had the kind of bond that most childhood friends had. Ivan had always teased her, often earning himself scoldings from Stanley. It wasn’t until later that he started to realize his feelings for her. Before he could act on them, Stanley had caught wind of it. Furious, he had sent Ivan abroad to study, putting him in charge of their overseas business. Years passed, and Ivan returned as a completely different person, mature, composed, and even admired by Stanley, who was never one to compliment anyone. Jennifer gently held Cynthia’s hand. “Ivan is a good man. He’s just never been good at expressing his feelings. He’s had countless girls chasing after him, but none of them ever caught his eye. I always thought he wasn’t interested in women. Then I found these photos and realized he’s always wanted to marry you.” Cynthia nodded. She might have been slow to recognize her own feelings, but she wasn’t blind. Now, she was ready to face the truth and face Ivan. She made a quiet vow to herself that she would leave Stanley and marry Ivan. She squeezed Jennifer’s hand in return. “Mrs. Duncan, don’t worry. I’ve really made up my mind. I want to marry Ivan.” She blinked back the sadness in her eyes, but before she could turn to leave, a cold voice interrupted her from above. “Made up your mind for what?”
It was Stanley who had returned. He stood in the doorway, his eyes catching the scar on Cynthia’s collarbone. “Where’s the tattoo?” Cynthia absentmindedly touched the still-sore scar, her voice flat. “I had it removed.” Stanley’s gaze sharpened, a flicker of displeasure crossing his features. “Who took you to do it?” “Just me.” He seemed satisfied with that answer. Years ago, when Cynthia had secretly gotten his initials tattooed on her collarbone, he had given her an earful, furious. “Cinny, I’ve always treated you like my own daughter. How could you possibly fall for me?” Now, though, Cynthia seemed to have become unnervingly obedient. He reached out, almost instinctively, to pat her head. “Does it hurt?” Without thinking, Cynthia pulled away, avoiding his touch. At that moment, she realized how laughable his concern felt. The pain from the tattoo removal was nothing compared to the ache in her chest. She hadn’t cried when the needles had pierced her skin. But now, her eyes began to sting with unshed tears. “I’m tired, Stan.” Without saying another word, she turned and walked away. Stanley stared at her retreating figure, stunned. The girl who used to rush to him with open arms was now as cold as a stranger. In the past, Cynthia would have thrown herself at him, clinging to him like a child begging for his attention. But now, it was Stanley who found himself standing there, unsure of what to do. He grabbed her arm, pulling her back with an authority that left no room for argument. “Next month, I’m getting married. “Tracy still needs a bridesmaid. You’ll go, right?” Cynthia’s heart skipped a beat, and she choked on the words she had been trying to say. She didn’t know how to bring up her own plans to marry. Stanley’s expression darkened, his impatience seeping into his voice. “Come on, don’t be difficult. Just do as I say. “Besides, Tracy’s still in the hospital because of you. Is this how I raised you? Spoiling you like this? Is that why you’ve turned out this way?” His voice was calm, but the frustration behind it was unmistakable. Cynthia instinctively touched her neck, where the scar still throbbed, reminding her of the weight of the past. But she said nothing. The irony of the situation was almost too much to bear. A week ago, the first time Cynthia had seen Tracy Flynn, it had been in Stanley’s room. She’d gone there to retrieve a forgotten nightgown but had accidentally walked in on an intimate scene between Tracy and Stanley. Tracy had her legs draped over Stanley’s shoulders, teasing him with a playful smile. “Which one of us do you think has the better figure?” Stanley chuckled, his head buried in her neck. “She’s just a child. Are you jealous?” He had then affectionately pinched Tracy’s waist. “So delicate.” Cynthia had stood frozen in the doorway, the cruel realization sinking in. In Stanley’s eyes, she was nothing more than a child. And in that moment, something inside her snapped. She couldn’t help but think back to when she’d gotten her first period. Stanley had been the one to buy everything she needed, even washing the soiled sheets himself. “The water’s cold. Don’t touch it.” She remembered how, when she had cried for her parents, it had been Stanley who had held her close, whispering, “Cinny, don’t be afraid. I’m here.” The memories overwhelmed her, and before she knew it, tears began to fall. But then, a wave of suffocation hit her, cutting off the tears mid-flow. By the time she regained her senses, Tracy had already come up behind her, wrapping the very nightgown Cynthia had left behind around her neck. “You little tramp. At your age, already trying to seduce men? “And you’re so shameless, leaving your nightgown here!” Cynthia’s face turned crimson from the pressure on her neck. She used every last bit of strength to push Tracy away. Tracy stumbled, crashing into a vase that shattered upon impact, a cut forming on her hand. Stanley rushed out of the bathroom, only to see Cynthia standing over a fallen Tracy. He shoved Cynthia aside with fury, his voice low but seething. “You’ve gone too far!” Without a second glance at her, he scooped Tracy into his arms and rushed her to the hospital. Cynthia, gasping for breath, collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness. She woke up later, vomiting uncontrollably in the bathroom. After some time, Cynthia lay still, deep in thought. The next day, she made an appointment to remove the tattoo. The same artist who had done the tattoo years ago was the one to take it off. As she lay on the table, Cynthia felt a strange sense of peace. She remembered telling the tattoo artist years ago with a bright smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll never regret this tattoo.” Now, however, the feeling that swept through her was one of hollow sadness. She remembered Stanley’s words to her. “You’re so cute. I could never trust anyone else with you.” But now, everything that had happened seemed to answer that claim in a way she hadn’t expected. Cynthia couldn’t stop herself from thinking, “Was it wrong to love Stan?”
Cynthia didn’t agree to be the bridesmaid at Stanley’s wedding. Without saying a word, she just turned and walked away, heading straight for her room. There, hidden in the depths of her drawer, she found the thick stack of diaries, each one filled with memories of her time with Stanley. They had been together for so long, through so much, that she had filled dozens of notebooks with their shared moments. There were pictures from their trips, photos of them at theme parks, at her coming-of-age ceremony, even their travels abroad. What started as simple notes had gradually become a personal, hand-crafted scrapbook of their time together. But now, none of it mattered. Cynthia took the stack of diaries and walked out into the yard. One by one, she tossed them into the fire. As the flames roared, they greedily consumed her memories, reducing them to nothing but ashes. Stanley had been about to say something when his eyes caught the sight of the fire. Among the burning pages, there were still remnants of pictures, the edges curling, not yet fully consumed. His heart skipped a beat as he realized what she was doing. He strode over quickly, his voice trembling with disbelief. “What are you doing? Why are you burning the diaries and photos?” He reached out to stop her, but it was too late. The fire was already eating away at the memories, leaving no room for him to save them. Cynthia glanced at him, her voice eerily calm. “It’s nothing. You said these diaries were meant to be hidden away, didn’t you? The photos were moldy, so I just burned them.” Her cool tone froze him in place. He opened his mouth to argue, but Cynthia had already turned, walking around him and heading back inside. Stanley stood there, watching her retreating back, a wave of mixed emotions crashing over him. He remembered the stormy night when he’d coldly ordered her to throw away everything related to him, telling her it all had to be hidden and erased. That night, she had stood there, tears in her eyes, but there was something in her voice, defiance, a fire in her that refused to be quenched. “Why should I throw them away? What’s wrong with loving you? There’s no blood between us. As long as you love me too, I’m not afraid of anything.” Her words had cut through him like a blade, and for a moment, he had almost suffocated from the weight of them. Now, as he watched her walking away, the girl who had once been so strong and determined seemed like a stranger. His heart throbbed painfully as the realization hit him. The girl who would have fought the world for him now felt like she was slipping away from him. When Cynthia stepped back into the house, she saw Tracy sitting on the couch, scrolling through something on her tablet. At the sound of the door, Tracy looked up with a smug smile. “Ugh, weddings are such a hassle. I’ve been looking at rings for ages and still can’t decide. There are so many styles. My eyes are starting to hurt!” Cynthia ignored her and turned to leave, but just then, Stanley walked through the door. Tracy immediately rushed into his arms, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Stan, help me pick a ring. I’ve been looking for so long and still can’t make up my mind!” Stanley smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist, speaking with the kind of indulgence that made Cynthia’s stomach turn. “Take your time. If you really can’t decide, I’ll get a designer to make one just for you.” Tracy’s eyes flicked over to Cynthia. Seeing the look in her eyes, Cynthia immediately felt uncomfortable, as if the room wasn’t meant for her anymore. She turned to leave, but of course, the next moment, Tracy was in her way. “Don’t bother, Stan. I’ve already decided on one. It’s just… I’m not sure if it’s too much.” Stanley, not paying much attention, replied casually, “You’re the woman I’m marrying. Whatever you want, I’ll get it for you.” Tracy’s face lit up at his words, and she pointed at Cynthia’s hand. “I want that one.” Stanley followed her gaze and froze. The ring she pointed to was the one he had given Cynthia for her birthday. It was a one-of-a-kind piece designed by him, chosen from the finest diamonds. Cynthia had worn it every day since, treating it like a treasure. She even slept with it on, never once taking it off. Stanley’s expression faltered, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say. But then, his voice came out steady, though his heart was anything but. “Cinny, take it off.”
Stanley stepped forward, trying to put on a calm front, as if he were about to sweet-talk Cynthia into giving him the ring. But to his surprise, Cynthia didn’t hesitate. She simply took the ring off and tossed it to Tracy, as if it meant nothing anymore. “Do you like it? Then it’s yours. Consider it my wedding gift to you.” After all, Cynthia couldn’t care less about Stanley, much less about a little ring. Stanley stood frozen, his lips parted as if he wanted to speak, but no words came out. He had planned to offer to buy her a new ring, but the thought died in his throat. Without looking back, Cynthia turned and walked upstairs. As she passed the calendar hanging on the wall, her heart skipped a beat. Today was Ivan’s birthday and the day he was finally coming back to the country. It had been two years since they last saw each other. She’d heard that Ivan had built his own company overseas and was now the president at such a young age. His rise in the business world had outpaced Stanley’s success, leaving the latter far behind. Cynthia stood in front of her wardrobe, pondering for a moment, before she pulled out a white silk gown. She had bought this dress for the day she planned to confess her feelings to Stanley. The dress hugged her body in all the right places, making her feel more alluring than she ever had. But now, it seemed like it would stay in the closet forever. When she put the gown on, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the mirror. It was Stanley. His brow furrowed as if he was still angry about her sudden departure earlier. But when his eyes landed on the dress she was wearing, his expression softened—just for a moment. “Still mad at me?” “I got the ring back. Put it on.” Cynthia didn’t respond immediately. Her fingers nervously fidgeted with the buttons on the back of the gown. Seeing her struggle, Stanley couldn’t help himself. He stepped closer, moved behind her like he had so many times before, and gently helped fasten the buttons, his touch surprisingly gentle. “Got plans tonight?” Cynthia nodded, her mind elsewhere as she adjusted the fabric of the gown. “Cinny, look at me. What did I tell you? If something’s bothering you, you should tell me.” “Tracy is my woman now. You’ve grown up before my eyes, and I want you two to get along.” “Stop making things difficult for her.” Cynthia gave a dry laugh, a bitter sting in her chest. “So now, you think I’m the one making things difficult for her?” Before Stanley could respond, a soft, almost flirtatious voice called out from the living room. “Stan, where are you?” He set the ring down on the table, clearly not wanting to cause any drama, and turned to leave. The moment he was out of sight, Cynthia tossed the ring straight into the trash. Her phone buzzed with a message from Ivan: [Cinny, see you tonight.] His tone was calm, but there was a clear urgency behind his words. Less than five hours ago, he’d learned she was willing to marry him, and now he was already rushing back. Seeing that she hadn’t replied, he immediately called. “You finally… agreed to marry me?” “Cinny, do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this day?” Cynthia didn’t need him to remind her. Back then, all her thoughts had been consumed by Stanley, the man who had once treated her like the center of his world. But now, she felt like a fool, realizing how wrong she had been. “When I heard you were willing to marry me, I rushed back immediately. I’ll handle everything for the wedding. Anything you want, anything you need—I’ll make it happen.” There was a hint of guilt in Cynthia’s voice, realizing the true purpose of this wedding. “Great. I’ll leave everything to you.” That evening, as the family gathered happily around the dinner table to discuss the upcoming wedding, Cynthia was lost in thought. Ivan suddenly spoke up. “Where’s Uncle Stan?” Cynthia froze, her fork mid-air, as she met his gaze. Jennifer smiled. “He’s busy with his fiancée.” “Oh, and I forgot to mention, Stan is getting married next month on the same day as you.” Just then, Ivan’s phone rang. It was Stanley. “Kid, why did you come back so suddenly? No warning or anything?” “We’ll catch up when I have time.” Ivan smiled, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. “Uncle Stan, I came back to get married.” Hearing Stanley’s surprised voice on the other end, Cynthia set her fork down, suddenly losing her appetite. Stanley, still unaware of the situation, laughed. “Who’s the lucky girl who managed to trap my charming nephew?” Ivan took Cynthia’s hand in his, his eyes filled with affection. “It’s a secret, but you know the girl. You’ll find out soon enough.”
Cynthia felt an uncomfortable twist in her stomach. Pretending to feel unwell, she decided to leave. But before she could, Jennifer stopped her. She pulled out an elegant box from her pocket, opening it to reveal a stunning emerald necklace. “Cinny, this is a family heirloom passed down to our son’s wife of the Duncan family. “Today, it’s yours.” As Ivan carefully draped the necklace around Cynthia’s neck, she felt a lump rise in her throat. Her eyes filled with tears, but she couldn’t decide if they were tears of joy or sorrow. “Stan, this time, I really am going to leave you for good.” she thought. Later that night, after quickly dropping Cynthia off at her place, Ivan headed back to unpack his things. When Cynthia opened the door to her villa, the bright lights inside hit her like a rush of warmth. She stepped in and froze. On the sofa, Tracy, wearing a soft nightgown, was cuddled up as Stanley gently massaged her legs. His hand brushed against a sensitive spot on Tracy’s thigh, and for a moment, his movement froze. She flushed, her face turning red and her ears bright with embarrassment. Cynthia glanced away, keeping her head down as she slipped off her shoes. Stanley noticed the shift in her movement and stood up, walking toward her as she made her way upstairs. “Tracy’s place has a plumbing issue, so she needs to stay here for a few days.” Cynthia barely acknowledged him with a nod, continuing her quiet ascent up the stairs. Her unbothered reaction seemed to annoy him, and his voice had an edge to it. “And stop entertaining those thoughts that shouldn’t even cross your mind…” Before he could finish his sentence, his gaze froze. Suddenly, he yanked her wrist, his grip tight and his eyes deep, like a storm was brewing in them. His voice shook with barely contained fury “Why are you wearing the necklace that the Duncan family?” At the sound of his surprised tone, Cynthia finally remembered she was still wearing the heirloom necklace Jennifer had given her. She blinked, then calmly replied, “Oh, that? It’s just that I thought it was beautiful, so I asked Mrs. Jennifer Duncan if I could wear it. I was planning on returning it soon.” Stanley, taken aback, finally let go of her wrist. He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to keep calm. After a long pause, he spoke in a colder tone. “That necklace is valuable. It’s not something you can just wear around for fun. You’d better take it off and return it.” Just as he was about to say something else, Tracy walked up and wrapped her arm around his. “Stan, my friend’s birthday is tomorrow, and she invited us to a party. How about we take Cinny with us too?” The mention of a party caught Cynthia off guard. She’d never been a fan of social events, and Stanley had always respected that, never forcing her to go. This time, Stanley instinctively shook his head. But Tracy pouted, her voice sweet and coaxing. “Stan, I’m just trying to be nice. Plus, my friend’s younger sister is about Cinny’s age. They could become friends. Don’t you think?” With a reluctant smile, Stanley sighed and nodded, giving in to her request. Cynthia watched the whole exchange, realizing that Stanley truly cared for Tracy. And for her, he was willing to let go of all the boundaries he’d once set. The next day, Cynthia couldn’t find a way to say no, so she reluctantly agreed to go to the banquet with them. She didn’t want to stir up unnecessary drama with Tracy, so she decided to just go along with it. The night was filled with laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the haze of excess. Cynthia stood alone in a quiet corner, watching Tracy and Stanley exchange drinks while she quietly sipped the juice in her hand. She wasn’t sure if it was the heat of the party or something else, but after a while, she found herself stepping out to the terrace to catch her breath. She sat down on one of the sofas, absentmindedly nibbling on some fruit. Her phone buzzed with a text from Ivan. [I’ll pick you up later.] Cynthia hesitated for a moment and then simply refused him. She leaned back against the sofa, listening to the muffled sounds of the party inside, while outside, the night sky was peaceful and quiet. Just then, there was a clumsy sound from the stairs. Before Cynthia could even see who it was, the unmistakable smell of alcohol surrounded her. A tall figure loomed over her, and suddenly, the air felt heavy with his presence. She instinctively pulled back, gasping softly, “Stan?” He didn’t answer her, but the moment he heard her voice, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tighter. Then came a rush of kisses, pressing down on her lips and face. His one hand pinned her against the sofa while the other slid beneath her silk dress, wrapping around her delicate waist. The coldness of his touch made her body tense, as if she’d been struck by lightning. “Stanley?! “What… what are you doing? You’ve got the wrong person…” But maybe he was too drunk to make sense of her words, or perhaps her resistance only fueled his need to control. His kisses grew more desperate, his lips moving greedily over hers. Just then, Cynthia heard the sound of high heels clicking from the stairs. “Stan? Where are you?” It was Tracy’s voice, heading in their direction. Cynthia’s heart raced. She could barely breathe, the panic rising in her chest. Just as Stanley was about to go further, something inside Cynthia snapped. With a burst of strength, she shoved him away. He lost his balance and crashed to the ground. Hiding behind a tree, Cynthia watched as Tracy hurried over to help him up. “Look at you… how much did you drink? “Come on, let me help you.” About ten minutes later, the terrace was quiet again. But Cynthia’s heart still hammered in her chest. Was it a mistake? Or had Stanley really meant to do that? Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion. She glanced down at the red Maserati waiting on the driveway. It was Ivan’s. He had actually come to pick her up. This time, Cynthia didn’t hesitate. She smoothed out her clothes and walked straight to the car. Once inside, she threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly. “I’m so tired. Can you just take me home?”
The next morning, Cynthia walked downstairs, her face pale and eyes swollen from a sleepless night. As soon as she entered the living room, she saw Stanley, wearing an apron, baking cookies with Tracy. The two of them were laughing and feeding each other, their easy camaraderie a stark contrast to the storm of emotions swirling inside her. Stanley glanced over at her briefly, his expression perfectly neutral, as if last night had never happened. Tracy spotted Cynthia and, with a teasing smile, wrapped her arms around Stanley’s waist, planting a kiss on his cheek. “Stan, I had no idea you were such a pro in the kitchen. Not only are you a great cook, but you’re a dessert genius too!” Cynthia stared at the pair, her hand gripping the staircase railing tightly. For a moment, her mind wandered back to her childhood, to a time when she’d eaten a peanut hidden in a pastry made by the maid and ended up with a high fever in the middle of the night. It had been snowing heavily, the temperature well below freezing, and she’d been huddled alone in bed, shivering uncontrollably, not wanting to bother anyone. It was only when Stanley had come to wake her up in the morning that he found her unconscious from the fever. Ever since that day, Stanley had taken it upon himself to learn how to cook. He even went so far as to take her to get tested for every possible allergy, and every meal prepared by their chefs had to pass his approval first. He was so particular that he’d sent three five-star hotel chefs packing over the years, all because they didn’t meet his standards. There was something about watching Cynthia eat that always made him smile, though. He’d find it adorable when she’d devour a plate of his hastily-made chicken wings, even if they were a little too crispy, and he’d softly ruffle her hair, saying, “From now on, only I’ll cook for my little princess. How does that sound?” But now, she couldn’t remember the last time they’d shared a meal like that. Tracy noticed Cynthia standing there lost in thought and called out with a playful smile, “Aren’t you going to join us?” She moved to feed Cynthia the cookie, as if to provoke her. The moment the smell hit Cynthia, a wave of nausea rushed over her. She instinctively pushed Tracy’s hand away, and the cookie tumbled to the floor. Stanley’s face darkened. “Cinny, what’s this about? It’s barely morning, and you’re already throwing a tantrum. “If you’re still sleepy, go back to bed. Why take it out on Tracy?” His voice was so calm, as though Cynthia had committed some unforgivable offense. Cynthia bit back the frustration, threatening to spill over. Stanley had been the one who’d discovered her peanut allergy, but it seemed like he had already forgotten. She wasn’t interested in playing their game anymore. What mattered now was picking out her wedding dress. With the wedding looming, she needed to focus entirely on it. She glanced down at her phone and saw a message from Ivan: [I’m downstairs waiting for you. Let’s go pick out the wedding dress.] Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out the door. The bridal boutique was exclusively booked by Ivan for Cynthia. The staff rolled out rows of exquisitely crafted wedding gowns, each one custom-tailored to Cynthia’s measurements. Ivan watched her intently, not once tearing his gaze away. “Pick whichever you like. There’s a shipment coming from abroad too, but if you fall in love with something, we’ll just take it all.” Cynthia felt a lump form in her throat, touched by his sincerity. “You picked them all out, so they must be perfect.” In the mirror, Cynthia’s hair was swept up into a neat bun, strands framing her delicate face, emphasizing her flawless features. The strapless gown hugged her body, its fishtail silhouette creating a stunning, almost ethereal look. Ivan was captivated. His eyes locked on her, unmoving, completely taken with her presence. The staff exchanged amused glances. “Look at Mr. Ivan Duncan. His eyes are practically glued to Ms. Mitchell. “The gown’s almost a million dollars on its own. But it looks like it was made for her.” The comments caused a ripple of admiration in the room, but the pleasant atmosphere was suddenly shattered by an unexpected voice. Ivan frowned, sensing an interruption. A young saleswoman stepped forward, looking flustered and unsure. “Sir, I told them the place was reserved, but these two insisted they knew you and needed to come in to pick their gowns… “The woman says she’s your uncle’s fiancée…” Cynthia’s heart lurched. “Could it be Tracy?” she wondered. Without wasting a second, she slipped into the fitting room just as Tracy and Stanley entered the VIP area. “I was wondering who had booked the whole place! What a surprise to see it’s you, Ivan.” Stanley’s low voice rang out, teasing. Inside the fitting room, Cynthia pressed herself against the door, straining to hear their conversation. “No surprise, Uncle Stan. I reserved it,” Ivan replied coolly, his voice unwavering. Stanley, already annoyed by the interruption, made no effort to hide his displeasure. Tracy, ever the performer, gave a loud, almost exaggerated laugh. “Wow, all the gowns are gorgeous. Guess you really know how to pick them, huh? “I’m starting to get jealous! “But where’s the bride? I don’t see her.” Cynthia’s heart skipped a beat, and as she tightened her grip on the fabric of her gown, a slight rustling noise escaped her. Tracy caught it immediately and approached the door, hand resting on the handle. Cynthia’s pulse quickened, but before the door could open, Ivan’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and deliberate. “Ms. Flynn, my fiancée is shy and hard to coax. If you scare her, you’ll have to apologize.” Tracy froze, caught off guard. Stanley, sensing the situation, quickly intervened, trying to smooth things over. “Enough, Ivan. Don’t speak to Tracy like that. “I came here to help her choose a dress today, but since you’ve got the place all to yourself, we’ll step out of the way.” He gave Tracy a brief glance, and together, they turned and walked out. Cynthia slowly stepped out of the fitting room, finding Ivan leaning against the doorframe, his expression unreadable, eyes colder than ever. “Cinny, do you really want to marry me?”
Cynthia tried to say something but did not come up with a response to Ivan’s words. She knew that Ivan was a thoughtful person. He had grown up with Cynthia since they were kids. Over the years, he must have noticed something. “Ivan, I have thought it through. I want to marry you, but I need to sort some things out first.” As Cynthia said this, Ivan lowered his head and unexpectedly placed a kiss on her forehead. “I know, but don’t hide anything from me, okay?” Cynthia nodded seriously. She used to think that only a man like Stanley could make her feel secure enough to give her all. But the Ivan in front of her was no less than Stanley. In fact, Cynthia felt Ivan’s affection for her was far greater than what he displayed. That evening, when Cynthia returned home, she saw piles of Tracy’s things stacked all over the place. Even Cynthia’s exclusive closet was completely filled. Meanwhile, her own belongings were carelessly thrown on the floor. Tracy kept moving her things in non-stop. Stanley was rarely home today. When he saw Cynthia return, he calmly asked, “Why did you come back so late? And you didn’t tell me where you went.” Stanley’s tone was gentle, and Cynthia couldn’t tell if he was criticizing or caring, but she felt there was no need to delve into Stanley’s attitude anymore. Seeing her things scattered everywhere, Cynthia did not make a scene. Instead, she stepped over the clothes and walked to the kitchen to get some water. These clothes were all bought by Stanley, who personally picked everything from the sizes to the length of the dresses. Cynthia knew that those were just things that should be thrown away, so she felt no heartache. But Tracy remained arrogant. She wore a nightgown that revealed much of her chest. Tracy seemed to be showing off to Cynthia, deliberately linking her arm with Stanley’s, and cooed, “My neighbor has a dog that keeps me up at night, so I came to stay here for a few days. Cinny, you don’t mind, do you?” Cynthia looked at the messy clothes and suddenly smiled, “Of course, I don’t mind. This is your home, and you don’t need to ask me, an outsider. “Besides, you’ve already been here for so many days. It’s too late to ask this question now.” Stanley’s expression suddenly turned cold. He wore a stern look that carried an unspoken authority. “This is also your home. Don’t say such things again. “Your clothes got dirty, but I’ll have Tracy pay for you a new set.” A flash of jealousy crossed Tracy’s eyes, but she quickly donned an air of disdain and provocation. She slightly raised her chin, stroking her nightgown with her hand. “Cinny, this nightgown was originally meant for you, but Stan said this color suits me better. What do you think?” Cynthia glanced at Tracy’s nightgown, which was identical to her old one. A wave of disgust hit Cynthia, but she merely smiled faintly and did not speak. Seeing that Cynthia was so unconcerned, Tracy seemed even more displeased. She laughed teasingly, “Stan just loves when I wear this. He even said he wanted to see me wear it and dance for him, and he’d help me take it off himself.” Then Tracy’s tone changed, her face slightly flushed with shyness. “Look at me. I shouldn’t be saying this to you. “Cinny, you are not a child anymore. I can understand you staying at Stanley’s house, but if others see it, they will definitely talk.” At this, Stanley turned around and left without saying a word. Cynthia still maintained an indifferent attitude and softly replied, “You’re right. So, I will be moving out soon.” Stanley paused for a moment, then suddenly turned back to look at Cynthia, his gaze ambiguous. “Where are you moving to?” Cynthia did not answer. She merely said, “I have grown up.” Her eyes were firm, no longer the flustered demeanor she had when facing Stanley before. But Stanley still felt something was off, so he scolded Cynthia, “I see you haven’t grown up at all. Your stubbornness hasn’t changed one bit.” After saying this, Stanley walked past Cynthia, exuding a chilling aura. As Cynthia poured herself a glass of water, she suddenly caught sight of the moonstone bracelet on Tracy’s wrist, which she had unintentionally raised. It was a beautifully crafted bracelet that belonged to Cynthia’s mother. Cynthia could no longer hold back and grabbed Tracy’s arm. “Why is this bracelet with you? It’s mine.” Tracy grimaced in pain and grinned, “So what? “It’s just a bracelet, right? I thought it looked nice, so I tried it on. “I’ll just give it back to you, okay?” This was the most important thing to Cynthia. When she first arrived at the Duncan family with nothing to her name, the only thing she had was this bracelet. And this bracelet had always been kept in Stanley’s safe, yet now it appeared on Tracy’s wrist. Cynthia’s eyes filled with deadly hatred as she said to Tracy, “Give it back to me.”
Tracy reluctantly took off the bracelet but, while handing it back to Cynthia, intentionally let it slip from her fingers. The bracelet fell right in front of them, shattering hard against the floor. The crisp sound of breaking shattered the silence in the room. Cynthia reached out to catch it but did not even touch the edges of the bracelet. She slapped Tracy across the face. “What are you trying to do?” All the anger and grievances that had accumulated within Cynthia burst forth at that moment. Tracy’s head snapped to the side from the hit, and her cheek immediately swelled up. She covered her face and fell to the ground. Cynthia looked at the shards of moonstone scattered everywhere, feeling as if her heart was being ripped apart, a sharp pain coursing through her. Tracy sobbed, “I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry, okay?” After saying this, Tracy crawled over and grabbed Cynthia’s ankles with both hands. “Cinny, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I was careless and broke your mother’s keepsake. I’ll do whatever you want.” Cynthia felt trapped, wanting to bend down to pick up the broken bracelet but unable to move. She kicked Tracy away forcefully, but Stanley, who had just come out of the room, saw it. Seeing Tracy’s swollen face and her pleading posture on the ground, Stanley’s expression instantly turned cold. He helped the kneeling Tracy up and then glared fiercely at Cynthia. “Did you hit her?” Tracy seemed to have found her ally and immediately grasped Stanley’s shirt with a whimper. Her cheeks flushed, and sparkling tears rolled down her exquisite profile onto the floor. “It’s not Cinny’s fault. It’s all my fault for being so careless. Don’t blame her.” Stanley pressed his lips together, his face growing increasingly dark. He had never seen Cynthia act so domineering. The girl he had once cherished had actually hit his fiancée. “Cynthia, you are being unreasonable.” Before Stanley could say anything more, Cynthia silently squatted down, picking up the broken bracelet while crying softly. She looked up at Stanley’s indifferent gaze, and that feeling of isolation overwhelmed her heart once again. Stanley’s reproach got stuck in his throat. He could not remember the last time he had seen Cynthia cry. He thought of that stormy night. This girl was begging Stanley for love for the first time, but he had mercilessly scolded her. Stanley tightened his grip at his side but ultimately held Tracy’s hand instead. “I will give you an explanation about this matter. But I won’t let it go that you were rough with Tracy. You should apologize to her.” Surprise flashed in Cynthia’s eyes, and she thought, “Is he really forcing me to apologize?” Stanley directed the focus toward Cynthia again. “I have watched you grow up. I never expected you to turn out like this.” Cynthia scoffed, holding the broken bracelet tightly. She stood up and looked into Stanley’s cold eyes. “Unless I’m dead.” Stanley stared angrily at Cynthia’s stubborn face, which was now brimming with tears. “Cinny, you…” Tracy walked past Stanley and grabbed his hand. “Stan, forget it. Don’t argue with a child. It’s just a bracelet. You’ve given me valuable bracelets. I can get one to replace it for her.” As she said this, Tracy pushed Cynthia aside. “Stan bought me a top-grade ruby bracelet worth ten million dollars at an auction. I’ll give it to you. Just stop bothering me.” Tracy’s generous offer made Cynthia appear like the villain. Cynthia wiped her tears and lifted her head. “I don’t want your trash. I only want this one.” Stanley glanced impatiently at Cynthia. “Cinny, don’t make a scene.” Cynthia’s original anger transformed into grievance at that moment, and she repeated, “I only want this one from my mom.” Stanley knew well that in Cynthia’s eyes, this bracelet was even more important than her life. But compared to his unabashed favoritism toward Tracy, it was still too insignificant. Stanley stopped speaking, took a check out of his suit pocket, casually wrote a string of numbers, and tossed the check on the ground. “Take it. “If this is what you want, the money on this check is enough to buy you ten of those. “Let me formally introduce Tracy. She is my soon-to-be wife. “I am your nominal uncle, so you should call her ‘aunt.’” Tracy smiled arrogantly, her eyes glinting dangerously like Medusa. “I’m not much older than Cinny. She doesn’t have to call me that. Cinny, I hope we get along well in the future.” After saying this, Tracy tried to step forward to hug Cynthia. Cynthia ignored Tracy’s hypocritical embrace and said, “Stan, I’m moving out soon. “From now on, this will be your and Tracy’s home. I won’t be an eyesore here anymore.” Stanley paid no attention to what Cynthia said. At that moment, they were no longer family, no longer the two people who relied on each other the most, but rather the most unfamiliar acquaintances. Stanley even found Cynthia’s commotion somewhat ridiculous. “What? You’re going to cut ties with me now that you have taken the money?” Cynthia shook her head. “Stan, I’m getting married.” Stanley froze for a second but quickly regained his composure as if everything in the world was under his control. “You’re getting married? Cinny, when will you grow up and stop giving me these foolish excuses?”
Cynthia returned to her room, her thoughts still in chaos. She looked at the broken pieces of the bracelet in her hand, and an endless sense of grievance surged in her heart. Her tears flowed uncontrollably like a flood. Suddenly, her phone vibrated, snapping Cynthia back to reality. She wiped her face with the back of her hand, clearing away the remnants of her tears before answering the call. The caller was Cynthia’s best friend, Anna Levelt. “Cinny, we have everything ready for your bachelorette party! I invited a lot of handsome guys, so make sure to dress up beautifully tomorrow night. I’ll send you the address shortly.” Anna seemed afraid that Cynthia would refuse, hurriedly hanging up the phone. Cynthia remembered that a few days ago, her quirky friend Anna had claimed she would throw a bachelorette party to celebrate Cynthia’s last days of being single. But Cynthia knew Anna. She just wanted an excuse to indulge herself. Cynthia found herself laughing through her tears as Anna’s lively energy lightened her previously heavy mood. Although she wasn’t interested in the bachelorette party, Cynthia felt bad rejecting Anna’s thoughtful preparations. Moreover, Cynthia thought it would be good to go out and clear her mind. Staying in that house would only make her feel more suffocated. ***** The next evening, wanting to avoid seeing that couple, Cynthia got ready and took a cab to the bachelorette party following the address Anna sent. When Cynthia got out of the car, she realized just how extravagant the bachelorette party was. Many influential figures and celebrities from the entertainment industry were invited. The banquet hall was adorned with dazzling diamonds and vibrant flowers, and a special ten-foot champagne tower was customized just for Cynthia on one side of the stage. Cynthia couldn’t help but laugh at the extravagant display. She truly didn’t expect the party to be so lavish and felt both impressed and speechless regarding Anna. Everyone had been waiting for the guest of honor for a long time. Cynthia wore the gown that Anna had prepared for her, and the lights shone on her, making her look unrealistically beautiful. Guests approached one after another to toast and offer their blessings. Cynthia drank glass after glass, gradually feeling a bit dizzy. Just as she was about to step away to sober up, a pair of hands stopped her. Cynthia looked up to see Tracy. Not far away was Stanley, surrounded by guests. Cynthia frowned and thought, “They are haunting me.” She didn’t want to get entangled with Tracy again and stood up to leave. But Tracy said, “Cinny, why didn’t you invite Stan and me to such a grand gathering? “Fortunately, I didn’t miss it. If I hadn’t come, Stan wouldn’t have wanted to come either.” Tracy observed Cynthia’s change in expression and then, raising her wine glass, leaned close to Cynthia’s ear. “Did you know that after you said you were getting married, Stanley didn’t sleep a wink all night? “I know you don’t want me here, but I’m just bored, and I want to confirm how important I am to Stan.” Before Cynthia could react, she saw Tracy flash her a ghostly smile, filling her with an ominous premonition. Then, in an exaggerated manner, Tracy fell into the three-tier champagne tower. Before Cynthia could respond, she was roughly pushed aside. Stanley quickly caught Tracy, anxiously wiping the wine stains off her. Tracy looked pitifully at Stanley. “Stan, I don’t know what’s wrong with Cinny. I just wanted to talk to her, and she…” Cynthia couldn’t believe her eyes as she looked at Tracy. Just as she was about to explain, she met Stanley’s sharp gaze. That look was as chilling as a winter wind, sending shivers down her spine. “Cynthia, I must have spoiled you too much before. Tracy is my fiancée, your aunt, and the future mistress of the Duncan family. But I see no respect from you towards her. You need to apologize to Tracy right now.” This wasn’t the first time Stanley had disbelieved Cynthia. At first, she would defend herself, feeling hurt inside. Because Stanley had told her that as long as she said it wasn’t true, he would unconditionally believe her. But later, no matter how many times Cynthia denied it, he always sided with Tracy. Now Cynthia’s heart had grown numb, and she didn’t even want to say anything more to explain. “There are cameras here. I didn’t push her.” Before Stanley could speak, Tracy’s body stiffened and suddenly fainted. Stanley didn’t have time to question further and hurriedly picked up Tracy, leaving without looking at Cynthia again. Suddenly, it started pouring rain, and the guests quickly dispersed. Cynthia sat alone in the empty hall, quietly watching the heavy rain outside, which blurred her vision. The rain continued throughout the night, and she sat there all night long. The rainy night was exceptionally cold. Wearing thin clothing, Cynthia couldn’t bear the chill after sitting all night, and by dawn, she fainted.
In a private clinic’s hospital room, Cynthia woke from her sleep. She lay on the hospital bed, her gaze falling on her phone screen. It displayed a photo sent by Tracy showing Stanley caring for her in the hospital. However, beside Cynthia were only the doctor and a nurse changing her IV bags. No one genuinely cared about her. She picked up her phone repeatedly but found it strangely quiet as if it had been turned off. Cynthia stopped holding any expectations and calmly set her phone aside. Suddenly, her phone rang, breaking the silence in the room and startling Cynthia. She picked up the phone and saw that it was Ivan calling. Feeling a bit nervous, she hesitated before answering the call. “Ivan, what’s wrong?” She asked. On the other end, Ivan’s voice carried tension. “Cinny, I heard you were sick. Which hospital are you in? I’m coming to see you right now. “I’m sorry. I didn’t take good care of you. From now on, I will stay by your side and won’t let you encounter such things again.” Cynthia fell silent for a moment, somewhat surprised. Because on the day she tried on her wedding dress, Ivan had said he had urgent business to attend to and wouldn’t be back until the night before the wedding. Cynthia hadn’t expected him to return early and planned to come to see her. Noticing her silence, Ivan hurriedly explained, “I finished my work early because I wanted to see you sooner. “Where are you? I’ll come to find you.” Hearing the unreserved worry and anxiety in his voice, Cynthia felt warmth in her heart and said, “No need. I will be discharged soon. You just got off the plane, so rest well.” As Cynthia spoke halfway, she suddenly stammered, “And…and we are about to get married. They say the bride and groom shouldn’t meet before the wedding.” Ivan was silent for a moment, then let out a sigh, “But, Cinny, I am very worried about you.” Cynthia smiled slightly, “Ivan, it’s okay. I believe every day after marrying you will be a sunny day.” Ivan solemnly promised, “Cinny, I will protect you for the rest of my life and make you happy.” Cynthia was momentarily stunned, her eyes glistening with tears. “Sure.” ***** Winter was about to pass, and spring was approaching. During the following days in the hospital, Cynthia was not lonely because Ivan called her every day to chat and arranged for caregivers and bodyguards to look after her. On the day Cynthia was discharged, she smiled as she hung up the phone with Ivan just before arriving at the Duncan family. As Cynthia was about to enter the door, a voice sounded from above her head. “Who were you just talking to on the phone?” Cynthia looked up to see Stanley standing at the door, his expression dark as he stared at her. Cynthia averted her gaze and calmly replied, “A friend.” “A friend? Then why were you laughing so happily that you didn’t want to hang up even when you got home?” Although Cynthia detected the anger in Stanley’s tone, she remained very calm. “Did you come to see me just to ask these questions?” Stanley struggled to suppress his inner frustration and handed a gift to Cynthia. “Tracy was startled these days, so I didn’t come to see you…” However, when Stanley saw Cynthia’s indifferent gaze, his words abruptly stopped. Cynthia didn’t take the gift but interrupted him, “Thank you for your kindness. It’s what you should do, as she is your fiancée. I can understand.” After saying this, she brushed past his shoulder and walked into the villa, not looking back at him. On the night before the wedding, Cynthia sat in her room, deleting one photo after another of herself with Stanley. From now on, Stanley would no longer control her emotions. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Cynthia opened it to find Stanley in a suit standing before her. She felt a little surprised that Stanley came to see her on the night before the wedding, but she had no desire to inquire further and calmly asked, “Is there something you need?” This tone made Stanley’s heart tighten. He thought, “Since when has she become so distant from me?” He suppressed the pain in his chest and quietly said, “It’s nothing. I just wanted to see if you were asleep yet.” Cynthia’s expression was indifferent. “I was about to sleep. If there’s nothing else, I’ll close the door.” “Cinny, I—” Many words rushed to Stanley’s lips, and he couldn’t help but want to blurt them out. “What’s wrong?” Cynthia asked. Seeing Cynthia’s calm face, Stanley’s hands at his side clenched and then relaxed. After a long while, the agitation in Stanley’s heart was quelled, and he returned to indifference as those words dissipated. “Nothing. You should rest early,” Stanley said. Cynthia responded with an “Mm” and closed the door. She didn’t rest right away but tidied up her room for a long time, then hugged a box and went to Stanley’s door. She placed the box at his door. The next day, as Stanley exited his room dressed in a suit, he saw the large box in front of his door, the familiar handwriting on it reminding him of who had sent the box. Originally intending to head downstairs, Stanley turned and knocked on Cynthia’s room door. “Cinny, what do those gifts mean?” There was a moment of silence before Cynthia’s voice answered, “Those are wedding gifts for you.” Just as Stanley was about to say something, Jennifer’s voice called from downstairs, urging him. He responded and then asked Cynthia if she wanted to go to the wedding with him. Cynthia’s voice was a bit louder. “No need. You go ahead. I still have things to do. I’ll go directly to the wedding later.” Stanley knew she was still angry, so he didn’t push it. But he remained standing at the door, his heart inexplicably racing. He always felt that once he left, he would never see her again. He raised his hand again, uncontrollably knocking on Cynthia’s door. “Cinny, open the door. I have something—” Stanley’s remaining words were cut off by Jennifer’s urgent voice. “Stan, what are you doing here? Hurry up and go. Don’t waste time. Whatever you want to say, you can wait until the wedding venue. You’ll see her there.” “Yes, I’ll see Cynthia at the wedding venue later.” Thinking this, he felt somewhat reassured and followed Jennifer downstairs. At the moment he left, Cynthia, wearing her wedding dress, opened her door. Wedding cars drove one after another toward the city center, and as the last wedding car left Duncan Villa, another convoy slowly arrived. “Cinny, I’m here for you.” Ivan’s gentle voice lingered in Cynthia’s ears. Cynthia smiled and responded, then hung up the phone, stepping down the stairs in her wedding dress. She took one last look at the place she had lived for many years, then got into the car without looking back, taking Ivan’s hand that was waiting in the yard.
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