Chapter 3

"Skylar, quickly move out of your bedroom and let Chloe have it."

"She's about to get married, so in her last few days at the Su family home, she deserves the best treatment."

Liam's voice pulled me back from my memories.

Before I could speak, the maids began clearing out my belongings.

Chloe stared intently at my bridal gown.

"This gown is so beautiful. It's a shame I'm not a Su family daughter, so I don't deserve to wear it..."

Her words trailed off, and Chloe began to sob.

Her eyes misty, she looked at Noah, her expression full of grievance.

"Noah, can you let me have a wedding ceremony with my beloved before I get married?"

Hearing Chloe's words, Liam immediately handed her the gown.

"Chloe, quickly, try on this gown."

"No!" I cried out, stopping them.

"You can have anything else you want, but not this gown!"

I looked at them with pleading eyes, clutching the gown's sleeve tightly.

I refused to let go, refusing to release the last bit of my attachment to the past.

"Skylar, it's just a dress. What's the harm in letting Chloe try it on?"

"Why are you so petty? Chloe is sacrificing her entire life's happiness just so you don't have to suffer."

Liam and Noah shielded Chloe, as if I might devour her.

Meeting their eyes, blazing with hatred, my last shred of hope dissolved.

I pushed past their obstruction, snatched the gown, and took scissors, slashing a huge gash in it.

Fine, then I don't need it!

"Skylar, what are you doing! Do you know how expensive these things are?"

Liam roared furiously.

But then he saw me pick up a photo album nearby and immediately snatched it away, his expression panicked.

"Never mind, if it's ruined, it's ruined. I'll buy you new ones later, but this album can't be destroyed."

Liam treasured the album like gold, carefully wiping it before placing it back in my hands.

This album documented every single moment of Liam, Noah, and my childhood together.

Only the photos of Noah and me getting married were missing to fill it completely.

But fate had other plans; ultimately, we walked down opposing paths.

After they all left, I shredded every single photo in the album.

Our past affection, like the album, was shattered beyond repair.

The next day, as I went to buy a gift to curry favor with Dax, I overheard people discussing Dax's impending marriage.

"The Su family, a century-old dynasty, is actually marrying off their daughter to an outcast."

"I hear Dax is known for his cruel ways of tormenting people. That Miss Su is probably in for a hard life."

Hearing these words, a ripple of emotion stirred within me.

*Could it be harder than now?*

It was merely jumping from one hellhole to another.

The Su family had long since stopped having room for me.

The day came for my scheduled meeting with Dax.

As I was about to leave, I saw the three people I least wanted to see.

Chloe was sobbing in Noah's arms.

"Noah, I don't care what happens to me, but I can't drag the Su family down."

"But I already have someone I love in my heart. After I help the Su family through this crisis, I'll take this love with me to the grave."

Liam and Noah huddled around her, comforting her softly.

One declared his eternal love for her, the other cursed Dax as a beast.

I remained silent, organizing the ties I had bought a few days ago.

I had stayed up all night embroidering Dax's name on a discreet part of one tie, hoping he would see it and feel a flicker of affection for me.

I was no longer the once carefree Miss Su who could act on impulse. Naturally, I had to learn how to curry favor.

Noah turned around and finally noticed me.

He frowned, glaring at me disapprovingly.

"Skylar, how can you still be in the mood to buy ties!"

"Don't you know what people are saying about the Su family?"

"Chloe values her reputation above all else. How can she endure such insult?"

*Yes, Chloe values her reputation above all else.*

The Su and Cheng families were intertwined by interests, sharing prosperity and downfall.

Only I was insignificant.

Seeing that I remained silent, Liam snatched the tie from my hand.

The tie's pin tore open the scab on my palm's old wound.

Instantly, crimson blood stained the tie.

Watching my carefully chosen tie get soiled, and my overnight embroidery ruined, tears of grievance flowed uncontrollably.

I looked up at them.

"If I were the one marrying the outcast, would you two be so heartbroken?"