Chapters 5: A dress stained in secrets
My aunt tried to salvage the situation as whispers rippled through the guests like wildfire. Their glances sharpened some judgmental, some entertained, all nosy. It seemed they were finally catching on.
Yue'er approached with her fake, trembling voice wrapped in sugary guilt.
"Yunxia, I'm sorry if you're upset I wore your dress, i won't do it again."
But even as those pitiful words left her lips, she made no move to remove the dress. It clung to her like a stolen crown.too big for her ego, too grand for her lies.
Then my future mother in law stepped in the only person who had ever treated me like a real daughter, Her voice cracked like thunder. remove it immediately and where's that brat, Li Shen?
As Yue'er turned to scurry away, she bumped into a waiter. a full glass of wine spilled like a blood offering across the once pristine fabric.
Gasps. Wide eyes.
Yue'er froze for a heartbeat, then smirked just for a second, just enough for me to see before snapping back into her sweet act.
"Oh no, sis, I'm so sorry! I-I'll clean it up!"
The murmurs sharpened.
How ominous. Was it really an accident? she did it on purpose.
I just stood there, silent, still.watching the same show I had seen too many times. Then I smiled knowingly.
Don't worry. There's a spare dress just in case but with the way things are looking it's quite ominous. So why don't we postpone the wedding? After all, the groom isn't even here.
Gasps grew louder. Yue'er's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, That was all I needed.
I turned to leave, but my future mother in law wasn't done. She was fuming, promising to personally design another dress for me. She immediately called her son only for him to claim he was "busy." Her brows twitched.
I sighed, thinking back to how we even got here. Years ago, I had helped Mama Li when she was on the brink of bankruptcy gave her the spark that reignited her career. She became Asia's top designer and always said she owed her success to me.
Back then, she had wanted to adopt me, saying she knew my birth parents and saw me as the daughter she never had. but I was already in my aunt's care, and she had no legal claim. Instead, she promised If there's ever something you want, and I can do it I will.
When Li Shen showed me the smallest kindness, I clung to it, thought it was love. Maybe it was, once. but Yue'er's theatrics eventually poisoned his heart against me. Mama Li arranged our engagement herself her dream was to see us married.
Now I wonder how would she react when she learned her precious son was with Yue'er? The same girl she once called a snake in silk.
The cab ride home was silent except for the engine's hum and my phone vibrating as I called her.
You don't have to go that far, Mama. I appreciate it, but… I found out Li Shen likes Yue'er.
Silence.
"Don't you think it's best to let them be together?"
She hesitated, torn between her son's happiness and me.
"Do you still like him despite everything?"
"No," I said flatly. He has chosen his path, and I've chosen mine. It's best to let them be together. I will move on.
Her voice softened. If that's what you want, we'll call off the engagement. but I will never see that girl as my daughter in law.
The sadness in her tone tugged at me, but I pushed it down, my choice was made.
When we arrived, I stepped out and said goodbye. The maids greeted me warmly too warmly. They had even prepared tea, which I accepted without thinking. I drank it, then buried myself in paperwork, barely noticing the hours pass.
Soft footsteps behind me.
Yue'er.
Her gaze flicked to the empty teacup, lips curling for a heartbeat before returning to innocence.
"Yunxia," she said sweetly, "I'm sorry about the dress. I shouldn't have worn it."
It's fine. Forget it, I replied without looking up.
But she lingered, trailing me through the house like a shadow. The maids whispered, casting me looks like I was cruel for ignoring her.
Finally, I turned sharply at the top of the stairs.
"Stop following me!"
And then
My body lurched forward.
Crash.
Pain exploded through my limbs as I tumbled down the stairs. The world spun.
A quick, stifled laugh behind me told me everything.
Yue'er rushed down, voice trembling with fake concern.
Sis! Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you? I…I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to, I just wanted to hold you! You looked like you were about to fall!
Technically, she wasn't lying, ever since that tea, I'd felt weak, lightheaded.
I pushed myself up then she slapped herself.
If it makes you feel better, I'll punish myself, okay? I was wrong, please don't be mad!
She raised her hand again, but I caught her wrist. In a blur, she slapped me instead.
A burning weakness spread through my chest and my legs gave out.
I dropped, coughing blood.
My vision blurred, my hearing faded, but I saw her lips move.
"It finally kicked in, huh?"
And the darkness swallowed me.