Chapter 13

I watched Brian knock over his water glass while wiping his mouth with a napkin; the water dripped down the table onto Lily Bennett’s clothes. I knew exactly what was going on—he was eager to take Lily away just to avoid my question about “marriage.” He probably thought I’d come to this dinner party just to annoy him.

“You want me to marry Tara,” he said—not a question, but a statement laced with irritation.

Lily gently squeezed his hand, her face showing a worried expression as she whispered, “I’ll never… marry anyone. I’ve been violated—what man would want me? Marrying anyone would just ruin their life. A good man like you deserves someone much better.” She looked up at me, as if summoning all her courage, “So please don’t say things like that. It puts Brian Locke in such a difficult position. He already takes such good care of me—I don’t want to burden him more.”

Her sad yet forced composure instantly shattered Brian’s rationality. I could see the guilt surging in his eyes—he was probably dwelling on all the “what-ifs”: if he’d replied to Lily’s message five years ago, if he hadn’t compromised for the Locke family, Lily wouldn’t have gone through all that. After all, Lily had been his “savior.” Seeing his “savior” in such a sorry state was enough to throw him off balance.

Sure enough, he blurted out impulsively, “She’s right—I wanted to marry you five years ago.” He shot me a glance, his tone deliberately firm, “Now that you’re back, marrying you is only natural.”

Lily’s eyes instantly reddened. She wiped her tears with a tissue, saying, “You don’t have to do this,” but her posture showed no sign of refusal. Brian sat down and gently held her hand—their first intimate physical contact since they’d reunited.

I clapped my hands, my voice clear, “Congratulations!” Brian’s veins popped on his forehead, but he didn’t look at me or say a word. I knew full well—he felt no joy of fulfilling a long-cherished dream about this “happy event.” It was more like he was being pushed down a preordained river; he’d long lost control of the sails of his life.

After the dinner, Justin joked in the car, “Never seen an ex-wife so ‘concerned’ about her ex-husband before.” I leaned against the car window, closing my eyes as the wind ruffled my hair, “You’ve been wondering what happened that night? Wait till I bring you to their wedding—then you’ll know everything.” Justin laughed and teased, “Sounds like someone’s planning to stir up trouble.” I replied calmly, “Anyone who’s hurt me has to pay their dues.”

A few days later, Lily Bennett—wearing a huge diamond engagement ring—came to visit my father. She pretended to be affectionate and said she’d “regained her memory.” “Uncle, I’m here specifically to thank you,” she said humbly. “I remember how kind you were to let my mom take me in. Without you, a country girl who’d been left behind in the countryside for over a decade would never have gone to college—I would’ve gotten married right after high school.”

She lowered her head, touching the engagement ring on her ring finger, then changed the subject with a hint of pride, “Ever since I joined this family, I’ve tried to be hardworking and grateful. I never wanted to compete with Sophia Reed for anything—including men. Back then, you were so uncompromising about the marriage; I bet you never imagined it would ruin three lives—especially your beloved daughter. And you certainly never thought that, after all this, I’d still end up with Brian Locke.”

I’d just come to visit my father and heard this as soon as I reached the entrance. Rage surged through me instantly. I marched into the living room, pointed at Lily Bennett, and said word by word, “Get out.”

But Lily still smiled. She pulled a gilded wedding invitation out of her Hermès bag, “Brian Locke and I are getting married. We’d love it if you and Sophia could come.” I sneered to myself—enjoy these last few happy days while you can, Lily Bennett.

After calming my furious father, I dressed up and attended the wedding on the big day. Brian and Lily’s wedding was extraordinarily grand, as if they were trying to make up for the lost five years. The guests were all wealthy and prominent, but as I sat in the crowd, I could clearly feel Brian’s gaze land on me first. He was probably in a daze, remembering our wedding—remembering how I’d worn a white wedding dress and smiled brightly that day. Deep down, he’d felt something for me then; he just never admitted it.

“Brian Locke?” Lily called him from the dressing room. Brian snapped back to reality, took a deep breath, and turned to step into the “role” he’d created for himself.

As the emcee wrapped up his remarks, it was finally time for the ring exchange. I sat among the guests, letting the stares of others wash over me, smiling and clapping. When they finished exchanging rings and the whole room erupted in applause, I stood up and walked to the stage. With elegant poise, I said, “Tara, Brian Locke—you two mean something special to me. So I’ve prepared a gift for you. Please look at the big screen.”

I watched the two of them freeze instantly below the stage, knowing full well that this farce they’d started was finally coming to an end.