Chapter 5

A clear red five-finger mark bloomed on my already pale cheek.

But compared to the excruciating pain in my heart, this physical sting was almost negligible.

I said nothing, just lifted my hand and pressed the nurse's call button by my bed.

The hurried nurses escorted the unwanted people out of the room.

I slid back under the covers, feeling a loneliness I’d never experienced before.

"Hello, Mom."

I dialed my mother’s number.

In that moment, I desperately craved a shred of warmth.

My mother's voice, seemingly cheerful, rang out from the other end:

"Harper, my dear, you haven't been home in ages. When are you coming back? I’ll make you your favorite brown sugar cake."

"Oh, right, look at my memory. Your brother called the other day and said you're going to be a bridesmaid at his wedding, right? You must be very busy these days. Ms. Walsh seems like the type with high demands for a wedding, doesn't she?"

My throat constricted.

"Liam Hayes still wants me to be a bridesmaid for his wife?"

My mother, sensing the change in my tone, quickly asked:

"What's wrong? Did you and your brother argue? Harper, don't be scared. If you're unhappy out there, come home. We don't have to suffer, okay?"

A shuffling sound came from the other end of the phone, and then it suddenly grew quiet.

Clearly, my mother had moved to a private spot.

Then she began to tell me about the money she had saved over the years, saying she had actually been doing side jobs.

During the day, she'd arrange flowers at a florist, and in her spare time, she'd even design floral arrangements online for people.

Little by little, she had managed to save over a hundred thousand.

"…So, Harper, if your relationship with your brother really isn't good, don't be afraid. If worst comes to worst, Mom will take you away. I can support you now, you know?"

My mother's voice was as gentle as ever.

But the gentler she was, the more I recalled the grievances she had suffered in the Hayes family all these years.

Because of her impoverished background and my biological father, who had accumulated huge gambling debts, my mother had always felt inferior in the Hayes family.

Not only did she have to care for the disabled Mr. Hayes, but she also endured gossip and scorn from the household staff.

Outwardly, everyone respectfully called her Mrs. Hayes, but in reality, even Liam, who received most of her care, looked down on her, convinced she had ulterior motives.

I wiped away my tears, unable to bear burdening my mother with my problems any further.

"It's fine, Mom. I'm doing great. Liam is very good to me, and Ms. Walsh is beautiful. Today she even personally came to deliver their wedding invitation to me. Mom, don't worry about me. Just take good care of yourself."

My mother asked a couple more questions, and only after my perfunctory urging did she reluctantly hang up.

"Ding-dong—"

A transfer notification popped up on my phone.

"Your bank account has received $6,600. Memo: Mom's gift for brown sugar cake."

I finally couldn't hold back, and in the empty hospital room, I burst into tears.

To keep my mother from worrying, I still attended Liam Hayes and Chloe Walsh's wedding.

Liam rented a castle, adorned with pink handmade lace and pure white satin ribbons.

The floors were covered with wool carpets, and the guests' chairs were studded with diamond crystals.

Not to mention Chloe Walsh’s custom-made wedding dress, valued at over a hundred million.

Everything declared Liam’s affection and importance for his beloved.

And I, the bridesmaid personally chosen by Chloe Walsh, wore a rough, curtain-like slip dress.

I stood by Chloe’s side like a servant, holding her bag.

Every guest who came to the wedding gave me a mocking, confused look.

As if asking, "How did this shabby-looking nobody get into an event like this?"

The elders, at least, maintained their decorum and didn't voice their thoughts directly.

Only Jax Carter, completely tactless, dared to ask outright,

"Wow, Harper Gray, you're really shameless. Liam is getting married today, and you're still clinging on? And dressed so ugly. Chloe Walsh is really generous to allow you to be here."

I took the envelope of cash he handed me, expressionlessly stuffing it into my handbag.

His taunts went unheard.

But Chloe Walsh clearly wasn't going to let me off the hook that easily.

Her beautiful face wrinkled in a frown as she stared at my leather bag, asking suspiciously:

"Hmm, I remember we should have received almost ten million in wedding gifts today, and several elders gave us bank cards. But your bag only has a few red envelopes? You didn't pocket some yourself, did you?"