The Past is Hard to Recall

Chapter 5

I didn't say much and went straight to the hospital, where I had an appointment to terminate the pregnancy. By the time I got home, it was already 10 p.m. I touched my now-flat belly, thinking of the child from my previous life, and tears filled my eyes once again.

Cole called me, saying he had to work late. He reminded me repeatedly to take my vitamins and drink hot milk before hanging up. I lay on the bed, feeling drowsy, when my phone buzzed with several new messages. The photos that popped up showed a man's and woman's bare collarbones, marked with love bites and sweat. The caption read: "What's the point of being rich? You're still only worthy of my second-hand wedding and second-hand man."

I barely got through two-thirds of the message before it was retracted. Winona sent another one: "I sent the wrong message earlier. Please don't misunderstand."

I couldn't be bothered to respond and immediately blocked her number.

On the wedding day, I finally understood that the so-called "formality" wasn't just about them having a ceremony. Both sets of parents, relatives, and even several of Winona's friends were there, live-streaming the event. After all, the Yucca Hotel was the top venue in Arham City. If it weren't for Winona, I probably would never have had the chance to step foot in this place.

As they bragged in the live stream about how perfect Winona's marriage was, the unsuspecting viewers flooded the chat.

"Wow, isn't this the Empress Hall of Yucca Hotel? I heard a wedding here starts at a hundred thousand dollars!"

"It's not just about the money. For places like the Empress Hall and Emperor Hall, you need both money and connections. I heard this wedding is the marriage of the Hale Family's heir, Stella Hale."

"Wow! So the bride is the eldest daughter of the Hale Family. Must be nice to have a rich best friend."

I sat calmly in the crowd, wearing my wedding dress. I made a few calls, to the jewelry store, the bridal shop, and the hotel where the wedding was taking place. I asked them to confirm the value of the expensive items and informed them that I would no longer be covering the balance. I told them to confirm that Winona and Cole could pay for everything themselves. I also sent them the wedding address.

Previously, my credit had guaranteed the payments, with the plan to settle the balance after the wedding. But now, seeing how eager they were to claim everything for themselves, I wasn't going to keep playing the fool.

The Hale Family's status in Arham City was well-known. With my words, these people would definitely understand what I meant.

Half an hour later, just as the ceremony reached the part where the bride and groom were exchanging rings, the front doors of the hotel were suddenly thrown open with force.