Chapter 4
In the boutique, the saleswoman came up to Antonio and Stella, not looking at me at all.
“Are you here to shop for a wedding dress? I can tell once you two walked in together.”
Antonio wanted to shake his head, but Stella already answered for them.
“Is there something fit for us?”
The dress shopping went on till the boutique was about to close. They only remembered I was in the room then..
Again, Antonio looked at me apologetically.
Leaving the boutique, I could finally get away from these two jerks.
Antonio stopped me and handed me a ticket.
“Come to Seavista when you return from home.
“I can’t let you stay here alone.”
It was a ticket without a seat reservation….
I scoffed. It was a two–day trip from here to Seavista. Did Antonio expect me to stand on the train for two days?
And he only had a one–bedroom small apartment. Was I gonna share his room with Stella?
Still, I pocketed the ticket. Even if it was a first–class ticket. I wouldn’t get
Chapter 1
on the train.
I had bought a ticket to Capdale long ago.
Antonio suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Grace, you’re the only wife I’d have. Stella is just a girl. I wanna look out for her.”
Under the moonlight. I lowered my guard a little.
A scream broke the silence.
Stella fell on Antonio and shoved me away.
I lost my balance and could only watch a flowerpot become nearer and nearer to my head.
My vision was clouded by red as I fell to the ground.
The woman upstairs ran down hurriedly.
“Are you OK? I called an ambulance…”
I stared at the crowd that gathered around me.
Someone was taking photos and someone was calling the ambulance.
In the end, I saw Antonio hugging Stella closely outside of the crowd.
I assumed he was comforting a frightened Stella. Stella was looking at
- me.
Suddenly, I decided to let go of the concerns I had about leaving Antonio.
I should’ve known. Antonio made me promises just to control me.
What a joke
I was sent to a hospital by an ambulance. It was early morning when I finished the check–up
My head was still spinning and the woman was the only one by my side.
When I woke up again, it was morning. Antonio finally came over.
Before I said anything, he started explaining nervously.
“Grace, how are you feeling? The doctor said it was just a graze and a mild concussion.
I stared at Antonio before closing my eyes again.
“You know it. I was there the whole time. But I had to bring Stella home. She’s…
“She’s in shock too. So…”
I heaved a long sigh.
“At first, I didn’t see the flowerpot. Stella was just next to me.
“I’d have saved you. If I noticed it, I’d run toward you.”
“When are you leaving?”
Antonio paused and said, “Tomorrow.”
“OK. You should go.”
I lay down and stopped talking to him.
Antonio said nothing and left awkwardly.
Chapter 4
On the early morning of 3, September, Mom came into my ward.
She didn’t bring anything.
“Grace, I’m here to check on you. Antonio urged me to come over yesterday. Look how much your future husband cares about you.
“How are you feeling? Need me to buy you something to cat?”
“I’m fine. The doctor said I needed to rest.”
“Alas, Antonio is taking a flight to Seavista today. It’s the first time Stella gets on a plane. I worried…”
Mom stopped abruptly as she brought up Stella.
“I didn’t mean to anger you. You know how much Antonio loves you. He’ll come back to pick you up soon.”
“I’m not Antonio’s bride. Stella is.”
Mom beamed, “Are you serious?”
“They’re a good match. I can’t break them apart.”
“Grace, I always know that you’re a sensible girl. Rest assured. I’ll set you up a good man.
“I’ll compensate you.”
Mom was just like Antonio. How they loved to make promises that they couldn’t keep.
Compensation? No, thanks. Leaving Antonio was the best compensation.
Since we were children, Mom favored Stella. Because a fortune teller told
Mom that I was harmful to her.
After I grew up, I took care of her devotedly. Yet, a sweet word from Stella was better in Mom’s eyes.
When Mom died, she left all her money to Stella. I got nothing.
“Stella wants to surprise you. You should pretend not to know the news for now.”
Mom was overjoyed and didn’t question my request at all. “Don’t worry. I won’t disrupt them.
“I’m leaving tomorrow too.” I decided that Mom needed to know.
However, she didn’t seem to care about anything else.
I lay down, pretending not feeling well.
On the day I left, I left a note for Antonio. I put it on Stella’s bed.
“Antonio, when you come home, I’ll be gone.
“You always like Stella. I decide to let you be with the woman you truly
love.
“Please leave me alone for the rest of our lives. I wish you two be happy together.”
I tossed the ticket to Seavista in the dumpster downstairs.
I took a taxi and went to the train station.