The Past is Hard to Recall

Chapter 4

Even his cooking was for Winona. I used to watch him make congee in the kitchen, feeling a sense of happiness. Now, every memory of those moments felt painfully ironic.

"I'm not hungry right now. Maybe later," I said, trying to brush it off.

He hesitated, sensing my lack of appetite, before bringing up Winona's wedding dress. It wasn't just the wedding itself, Winona wanted everything. My dress, my ring, even my bouquet.

"If you're not okay with it..." he trailed off.

"It's fine," I cut him off, offering a calm smile. If I didn't care about him anymore, why would I care about these custom-made things tied to him?

Cole froze, staring at me. He opened his mouth to say something but stayed silent instead.

Since the rings had been custom-made under my name, he needed me to go with him to change the size and engraving. At the jewelry store, I saw the pair of rings that I'd once dreamed of wearing, now on Cole's and Winona's fingers. The staff complimented them, calling them a perfect match, until Winona asked to change the engraving to her name.

The clerk's smile faltered. She glanced between us, clearly uncomfortable. "So, which one of you is Miss Hale?"

I stepped forward, meeting her eyes. "That would be me," I replied calmly.

I glanced at Cole and Winona, their fingers intertwined, posing for photos and laughing. "If she likes the ring that much, let her have it," I said, my voice detached.

After urging the jeweler to make the changes, Cole and Winona immediately dragged me to the bridal shop. My parents had always emphasized quality, so the gown I'd chosen was bold, elegant, and tailored to highlight my unique presence. But on Winona, it lost all its appeal. She looked more like a maid trying on the clothes of a noblewoman. Even Cole couldn't help but suggest, "Maybe we should pick one that suits you better."

But Winona was insistent. "This one's perfect," she said stubbornly.

Cole glanced at me, caught between his loyalties. He knew how much this gown meant to me. I'd spent six months picking it out. Every diamond was chosen with care, and the final touches weren't made until three days before the wedding. I had once dreamed of wearing it as Cole's bride. Now, it seemed utterly pointless. The gown felt like a joke.

Winona's voice broke through my thoughts. "Stella, I love Cole just like you do, you know that. I even developed depression because of him. You've always been kind to me, given in to me, bought me things. Now I've finally let go. You wouldn't refuse to let me have this wedding dress, would you?"

Her tone was pitiful, as if I were the one who had wronged her. Cole looked at her with sympathy, worry filling his eyes.

"Stella, I never thought you'd be so petty! It's just a wedding dress! You know Winona has depression. Why make such a fuss?" he scolded.

I studied them both carefully, watching their discomfort. Finally, I smiled, nodding.

"Of course, if you want it so badly, take it. I'm not the storekeeper. I can't stop a sale."

I went to speak with the shopkeeper, explaining that I agreed to let Winona have the dress. The whole ordeal dragged on until evening, and then Cole brought up my pregnancy, urging me to go rest.