< 20
Menu
20
In my dream, Liam knelt, a hand–carved ring in his hand, gazing at a bride in white.
cherish you,
“Serenity, will you marry me? I’ll love you,
and be by your side forever. I’ll never betray you.”
The bride moved, revealing a familiar yet unfamiliar face – Chloe. But Liam seemed oblivious, his gaze fixed on me. As Chloe opened her mouth, I woke with a start.
I stared out the window, the dream unsettling.
“Knock knock.”
“Serenity, are you awake?”
My aunt’s voice startled me. I patted my face and replied, “Yes, Aunt.”
She entered, handing me an invitation from a friend. I remembered a chance encounter with an old friend and our brief chat. She’d asked for my address to send her wedding invitation.
It was indeed from my friend. The next day, I went shopping for a gift. On the second floor, I saw a large group of people approaching, clearing a path. I ducked into a nearby store. As they passed, something made me glance up.
My eyes widened. It was Chloe. Once vibrant, she was now gaunt and frail, heavily pregnant, a spectral figure. Even passersby whispered. “Is that Chloe? She looks terrible. Did the Sterlings starve her?”
“No way! My sister works for them. They practically spoon–feed her! But she’s reaping what she sowed. She vomits everything she eats. Liam, knowing about the pregnancy, has been tormenting her. If not for Mrs. Sterling, the baby wouldn’t have survived. They let her out for a breath of fresh air.”
I hid
my
emotions and continued shopping. Everyone assumed Chloe was living comfortably, but that wasn’t the case. Even her outings were heavily monitored. I felt no pity; she’d earned this.
At my friend’s wedding, the atmosphere was joyous. Seeing the tearful couple, I felt a pang of sadness. I sincerely wished them happiness. A hand offered a handkerchief. It was Liam. My smile vanished. The ceremony ended; I excused myself and headed for the exit. I’d just remembered that the bride was not only a friend but also Liam’s college classmate.
He followed, catching my hand, pinning me against the wall.
“Serenity, I can answer your questions now. I didn’t want you to go through childbirth, so I let Chloe carry our child. I was only worried about the baby’s health! If you don’t like Chloe or the baby, I’ll get rid of them, okay?”
< 21
