Chapter13
Word of my failed proposal quickly reached both families.
“The Parrish family’s eldest daughter fails proposal and gets dumped” started trending locally.
Celia put on a fake show of tears, and Melvin, my father, blamed me.
“Celia’s very sick. How could you put her through this savage act online? She’s your sister. Fix it. Now!”
I shook my head with a sneer and refused. He stormed over and slapped me hard across the face.
It had always been this way. Since Celia was born, Melvin never took my side again.
After her mother’s death a few years ago, he poured even more love into
Celia.
In the past, Antonio always had my back, but now even he sided with her
too.
Melvin’s endless rant filled the air, but I just looked at the rain outside, staying silent.
Finally, Janet, Antonio’s mother, showed up to save me, with a bruised and battered Antonio trailing behind her.
“Grace,” Antonio said, annoyed at my cold gaze, “don’t think my mom can always save you.”
Janet frowned and smacked Antonio again. “Apologize to Grace!”
Chapter13
Antonio looked at me and muttered, “Sorry.”
Janet, using her close friendship with my mother, scolded Melvin.
Then, she held my hands, her expression softened. “Grace, can we talk for a moment?”
I sighed softly and led her to my bedroom.
As soon as the door closed, tears came to her eyes.
“Grace, I understand you. You’re just like your mom. Once you make up your mind, you never look back. It’s Antonio’s loss,” she whispered.
After a short pause, she added, “I’m not gonna ask you to forgive my son. But if there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word. I’ll always have your back.”
Her words warmed my heart.
After thinking for a moment, I said, “Janet, let Antonio make Celia’s ‘dying wish‘ come true.”
She looked surprised, then smiled faintly.
“If that’s what you want, Grace, then so be it. It’s time for Antonio to face the answer to his choices. He’ll regret this.”
We smiled at each other, silently letting the topic slip off and never mentioning Antonio again.
With approval from both families, Antonio started preparing for the wedding.
He refused to break up with me. His texts came daily–words of love and pleas for patience.
I never responded, letting him play the fake lover.
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Celia, on the other hand, kept sending photos to provoke me.
Thanks to her. I saw pictures of Antonio flying abroad for custom wedding rings, a super expensive dress, a fancy venue, and luxurious decorations.
Even a picture of him carefully trimming her foenails.
Celin texted, “Antonio is such a sweetheart. No wonder you couldn’t resist proposing to him!
By now, it was crystal clear to me–his excuse of not being ready for marriage was just a lie to keep me calm.
If he loved someone, he’d marry her without hesitation.
Celia easily claimed the grand wedding Antonio once promised me, along with every bit of affection.
As I distanced myself from the mess, I decided to dig deeper into his betrayal.
After Celia’s mother entered our lives, my mom had me save the house’s surveillance footage regularly.
“Now, I sat alone at my computer, watching scene after scene of Celia shamelessly pursuing Antonio”