It took me a long time to gather myself enough to stand.
As I descended the stairs, my ankle twisted painfully, sending a sharp jolt through me. I glanced down at my shoes—my heels had already rubbed my skin raw, leaving a bloodied line at the back.
So, it wasn’t just the wedding dress that didn’t fit. The heels didn’t either.
I used to think he was just too busy to bother with trivial details and too preoccupied to understand these “women’s matters.”
I raised my head and looked again at the white roses and violets arranged in the garden. They were Anne’s favorite flowers.
It all made sense now. None of this was ever meant for me.
Even earlier, walking along the garden path to the wedding venue, my feet had already been rubbed raw. Now, with a twisted ankle and stepping over gravel, every step felt like torture.
Servants passed me without a glance, their heads lowered as they carried trays of food into the banquet hall. No one offered me a hand. Why would they? Just as I turned to leave, Evan had ordered them not to interfere.
I kicked off the heels and tossed them aside. If they weren’t mine, I didn’t want them.
Barefoot, I stepped onto the sharp gravel, each agonizing step leaving fresh bruises until I finally reached the entrance.
I pulled out my phone to book a ride to the hospital, but when it came time to pay, my bank account balance flashed, showing insufficient funds.
The sky had grown dark and heavy with swirling clouds that threatened a downpour at any moment.
How could my balance be zero?
I checked again and again, logging out and refreshing the app, but the result didn’t change.
It was still zero.
A cab I managed to hail slowed briefly before the driver sneered at me. “No money? Then don’t waste my time.”
The car sped off, leaving me standing there humiliated.
I thought long and hard, and only one explanation came to mind: my parasitic family.
At a time when I needed support the most, they had already hidden their knives, ready to strike when I was at my weakest.
I sat on the curb, hugging my knees, until the chime of my phone pulled me from my thoughts.
Evan’s voice came through with a tone of condescension, as if he were coaxing a stray cat or dog.
“The ceremony is over. You can come back and take a group photo with us. Otherwise, there won’t be anything to look at on our anniversary.”
“No need.” I wiped the water from my face and only then noticed it had been raining for an hour, leaving me drenched to the bone.
“Claire, I’m giving you a way out, but you’re refusing it! What’s gotten into you?” Evan’s tone grew colder.