Chapter 5

Julian walked in, his face cold, his gaze extremely sharp.

“You've been locked up for a day and a night. Have you learned your lesson?”

“Yes, I've learned my lesson thoroughly.”

I curled my body, managing to squeeze out a hoarse reply.

Watching the satisfied look on his face, I stumbled to my feet and left, whispering in my heart.

My mistake was trusting his promise to be together, my mistake was falling in love with him.

After being discharged, I returned home and cleared out everything related to Julian.

Diaries and love letters written in my youth, photos of him I secretly collected, gifts I wanted to give him, surprises I planned for him…

I had intended to tell him all the stories of my secret crush once we were together.

But now I knew there would never be a chance for him and me again, and these things would never have a purpose.

I threw them all away. As I turned, I bumped into Julian, who had just dropped Celeste off.

He glanced at the trash can, his gaze on me still indifferent.

Celeste also saw the items. She deliberately hugged his arm, smiling sweetly and playfully.

“Julian, it seems Aria has truly learned her lesson this time. She definitely won't bother you anymore. She is my biological sister, after all; you shouldn't always be so cold to her.”

Julian looked at me with a detached expression. "I'm always indifferent to people I don't like, because I just can't bring myself to be pleasant."

I listened quietly, saying nothing.

I took a soft breath, swallowing those unspoken emotions, and went back to my room.

The next day was Celeste's birthday party.

The grand hall was packed with guests, buzzing with chatter.

“Mr. Sterling sure hosted a magnificent birthday party for his fiancée! I heard these flowers were air-freighted from Europe this morning, and there will be fireworks for three days and three nights to celebrate! Miss Celeste's jewelry set reportedly cost hundreds of millions, personally bid for by Mr. Sterling at Sotheby's!”

“Mr. Sterling truly emptied his pockets to make his beloved happy! Miss Celeste is so fortunate to marry him, and the Henderson family will soar. It's just a pity about Miss Aria, a ticking time bomb, always coveting her brother-in-law. So shameless!”

“Exactly! You'd think they're biological sisters, but how can Aria be inferior to Miss Celeste in every way? Her looks and personality are lacking, and she shamelessly clings to Mr. Sterling, even her morals are twisted! If I had such a daughter who disgraced the family, I'd kick her out. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are truly kind-hearted!”

Listening to these whispers, my heart felt utterly dead, undisturbed by any ripples.

I sat in a corner like an invisible person, wanting to avoid drawing any attention.

Not far away, my parents and Julian surrounded Celeste, like she was the center of the universe.

They would adjust her skirt, shield her from toasts, light her birthday candles, and sing "Happy Birthday" to her with smiles.

Watching their harmonious scene, I remembered my past birthdays, when Celeste would always find an excuse to take my parents away, leaving me alone at home to blow out candles and celebrate by myself.

In the years I was with Julian, he would celebrate my birthday with me, we'd make wishes, eat cake, and I'd receive gifts from him. I thought I would never be alone again.

But that fleeting moment of care and warmth I once had was now completely stripped away.

And I, I no longer yearned for it.

Amidst the festive atmosphere, Celeste closed her eyes and made a wish. Everyone eagerly presented their gifts.

Celeste unwrapped them one by one, from luxury handbags to various exquisite pieces of jewelry, her smile never fading.

The last two gifts were from my parents and Julian. Their announcements caused a sensation.

“My wife and I deliberated for a long time and decided to make Celeste the successor to Henderson Group, inheriting all of the family's assets!”

“My gift to Celeste is fifty percent of Sterling Group shares, and the Sterling family's heirloom wedding rings. Grandma once told me that any couple who wears these rings will surely live a harmonious life and grow old together. Celeste, you are the only person I want to marry in this life. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife.”

Under everyone's gaze, Julian personally placed the ring on Celeste's finger, embraced her, and kissed her.

The entire hall erupted in cheers and applause, everyone offering their blessings.

I watched from a distance, my heart heavy and suppressed.

I dug my nails into my palm, wanting to leave, but Celeste called out to me.

“Aria, where's your gift? When are you going to give it to me?”

Suddenly, everyone's eyes turned to me.

I paused, took out the carefully prepared gift from my bag, and handed it over.

Celeste opened it with a smirk, about to make a sarcastic remark.

But Julian beside her froze, staring intently at my raised hand.

“Why do you have this bracelet?”

Hearing him, I looked up, meeting his incredulous gaze, and subconsciously touched the bracelet.

During the time Julian was blind, even though I knew he couldn't see, I would still dress up carefully to visit him.