"As long as you're back, that's all that matters," my mother said.

"That's all that matters," echoed my father.

Beside me, my best friend, Lacey Gilbert, patted my shoulder while wiping away her tears. "If you hadn't let us know you were safe, we would've been scared to death."

No one asked why I had run away from the wedding or why I suddenly disappeared on a solo trip for a month. It was as if none of it mattered anymore.

On the way home, my brother, Caleb Simpson, spoke softly to me. "Chally, we will always be your strongest pillar of support. There will be countless chances to make things right in your life."

I held back my tears and nodded firmly.

…

The moment we arrived at the house, Liam Addams, our butler, hurried over and whispered, "Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, Silas is here with some other people."

Hearing this, my mother's expression darkened. "How dare he come here? Who let him in?"

Seeing Caleb getting ready to get out of the car and confront him, I quickly stopped him.

"There's no need for that," I said. "I'll handle this. All of you don't have to worry."

I then gave them a reassuring look and patted their hands gently. "It's fine. I've already made up my mind."

After convincing my parents to step back, I turned to see Silas standing with Nora by his side. I frowned slightly.

"This isn't exactly something that should be discussed out in the open," I said. "Let's find a more private place."

Before either of them could respond, I walked over to a nearby pavilion.

Silas hurried after me, asked impatiently, "Chaldene, haven't you had enough?

"So you really don't want to go through with this wedding, do you?"

I found his question amusing and tilted my head slightly. "Silas, I believe I made myself perfectly clear the last time.”

"We're done.

"Didn't you say it yourself? That even if I knelt on the ground and begged you to marry me, you wouldn't agree?”

"So, what's this now? Are you planning to kneel down and beg me instead?"

My words clearly infuriated him. He grabbed my wrist roughly, and his voice was filled with anger.

"Chaldene! Don't push your luck!

"Don't forget you're carrying my child. Or have you already found another man to take responsibility?"

His humiliating words stung, and I did not hesitate to slap him hard across the face with my free hand.

The sharp sound startled Nora, who quickly stepped forward to check on Silas, her expression full of feigned grievance.

"Chaldene, I know you have issues with me.”

"But that post on social media was just a misunderstanding. Silas and I weren't alone. There were others with us.”

"If you misunderstood, you can hit or scold me, and I'll take it. But you shouldn't have hit Silas.”

"He's been with you for seven years. It's you who ran away from the wedding, embarrassing him first. How can you make it seem like it's his fault?"

Her hypocritical words were unbearable, and I slapped her across the face without hesitation as well.

"Nora, what right do you have to act like you have the moral high ground here?”

"Because you're his ex? Or the other woman?"

Silas had not expected me to suddenly strike her. He immediately rushed over to check on Nora, glaring at me as he warned, "Chaldene, you'd better stop this.”

"If you push too far, things will spiral out of control."

I laughed bitterly at his words.

"Be careful? Me?" I asked mockingly.

"I'm the daughter of the Simpson family. Half of the Simpson family's assets will be in my hands someday. Do you really think your threats scare me?”

"And as for the two of you—calling each other Nora and Silas so lovingly as if no one could see what's going on—do you think I'm a fool?"

My voice grew sharper as I added, "Let me make this clear. I will never marry you, Silas.”

"Whether it's Nora, Cora, or even Zora, they have nothing to do with me!"

With that, I turned on my heel, ready to leave.

However, Silas reached out to grab me. Seeing the situation, Nora quickly bumped into him, causing him to instinctively push his hand forward, which shoved me away.

I lost my footing and fell down the staircase.

A sudden warmth spread beneath me as a vivid red stain began to seep through my dress. The metallic scent of blood filled the air, and the pain left me gasping for breath.